Heres the plan for a perfect day in Oatman, Arizona, one of our favorite small-town vacation spots for families. Flagstaff is an awesome college town with a lot going on good restaurants, shopping, and lodging. Quaint historic town - always a great afternoon. The two main annual events are the Bed Races every January, when teams of five hardy souls push and ride a bed down the main street, make a bed at the end and race back to the finish line. Jerry & Mary Santana 10/03/2009 The Old West lives here. Sounds like I do need to get back there. Box 423 Oatman, Arizona 86433 Phone: 928-577-9139 or 928-234-0344 Saturday, January 07, 2023 For General Information & Special Events or Brochure Requests Please Call 928-577-9139 THE OATMAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Oatman's population grew to more than 3,500 in the course of a year. Tim & Jaye Irsik 12/31/2011, Michael & Paula Box 423 Oatman, Edward & Vivian Yannelli 07/10/2021 During its heyday, it was home to over 10,000 people. Arizona 86433 Phone: 928-577-9139 or 928-234-0344. I would guess there were 50+ people wandering around which was more than the last time we were there. This blacktop looks as if it hasn't been maintained since the right-of-way was moved south in the 1950s. The Durlin Hotel was originally built in 1902 and then rebuilt in 1924 after the fire. Do you dare go for the Haunted Tours of Jerome (39.95 USD) Source Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Marine 69-71 used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Credits, Media/Business Inquiries The towns history dates back to the 1860s, when Johnny Moss staked claims to two mines in the area. The Oatman Hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. - See 649 traveler reviews, 1,141 candid photos, and great deals for Oatman, AZ, at Tripadvisor. They returned quite often to enjoy the peace and solitude they wanted until the unfortunate death of Lombard in a plane crash just 4 years later.The locals are very friendly and the Burros will accompany you into the shops. Weather in June. Improve Your Listing. Located at an elevation of 2,710 feet (830 m), it began as a tent camp soon after two prospectors struck a $10 million gold find in 1915, though the area had been already settled for a number of years. In the 1960s, Oatman was almost completely abandoned and turned into a ghost town. But now it was already 3:30 and no signs of a gunfight. Once everything was said and done, both gunfighters were dead and Fred (the real bad guy) left with the money. Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. I sat in the cool shade and watched the gun battle play out. It was once a tent town following the discovery of gold, and is now a popular day drive for tourists. Closed now Until 09:00 am tomorrow. We had been here before but made the trip out of the way with some friends so they could take in the gunfight. Upon entering the town, you'll notice that the streets are filled with donkeys, who might be the new sheriffs in town. The Oatman Ghost Rider Gunfighters is the oldest group of cowboys in Arizona. Barron 1/6/2018 If you didn't know about Oatman, and just happened to drive into town, and burros were coming up to your car to beg for food, guns were blasting, and bodies lay in the street, it would seem pretty strange. They are so friendly and adorable! A gunfight occurs every day at noon and 2:15 in the middle of Oatman's main street, a stretch of Historic Route 66 now known as Oatman-Topock Highway. The Oatman (Durlin) Hotel is one of the town's most popular attractions. POTUS landmarks, oddities. Haunted House" this year!!! Travel to the Grand Canyon -- one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World -- and let Grand Canyon West provide you with an experience 5001 Diamond Bar Rd These endearing creatures are just one reason to visit the tiny town of Oatman, Arizona. They are so friendly and adorable! The tourism boom didnt last long in Oatman, thanks to the interstate highway system. While visitors can't book a room at the hotel anymore, they can enjoy a meal fit for a hungry miner and take a peek at the honeymoon stop of Clark Gable and Carole Lombard after their wedding in Kingman on March 18, 1939, preserved inside the historic adobe building. Bucktooth Burro Gift Shops Novelties Daniel & Cynthia Klaudt 11/21/2020 The Complete Guide to Exploring Wilmington, Vermont, Unique and Affordable Things to Do in St. Took the Route 66 trip and going to Oatman was a must. She repeated what I was told before about "enough money on the street" but there was a show at 1:30 so she thought there would be a show. newimage4.src = "clipart/dl1.jpg"; Oatman, Arizona has a fascinating history and a unique ghost town. The Ghost Rider Gunfighters have been putting on gunfight reenactments daily for over 25 years. Slow your car down and burros are likely to stick their heads in the windows searching for handouts. We checked the times for the gunfights with both "official websites" and were sure it would be at 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm so we decided to take in the 3:30 show as it was January so it wouldn't be so hot they would have to cancel it. Breakfast at Olive Oatman Restaurant and Saloon. Through photographs, dioramas and displays, the museum encompasses the history of the Bullhead City area from steamboats on the Colorado 1239 Highway 95 Oatman is about 38 miles west of Kingman, AZ on Historic Route 66 (AKA Oatman Highway) but because a good portion of the road is a very narrow windy road with a lot of curves and switch backs, it takes hour to an hour and a half to make the drive. 11. tourist attractions and odd sights in Arizona, Giant Empty Cross, Large Jesus on Horseback. It began as a small mining camp when two prospectors struck a $10 million gold find in 1915, though the vicinity had already been settled for a number of years. Add your social media links and bio and promote your discounts, menus, events. possible by The Glory Hole & Making Memories Old Time Photos. After years of receiving handouts from tourists, they are extremely friendly and probably the main reason so many tourists still come to town. Experience the beauty of the West. It is an easy drive from the nearby cities of Laughlin and Bullhead City. More and more came to find work during the 1940s war effort and Oatman became an important stop before crossing the Mohave Desert. What a wonderful article. Its an old-fashioned, wild-west candy shop like youve never seen before. @Jim, Do any of the abandoned gold mining towns in Montana still have residents and utilities? And apparently there's demand for soy candles. Loren & Kacee LaVern 10/21/20147 Oatman Chamber of Commerce P.O. for (var i=1; i<=Math.abs(pos); i++) Oatman is often described as a ghost town, but that isnt quite accurate. Olive Oatman Fairchild died of a heart attack on March 20, 1903, at the age of 65. The drive will take you through Joshua tree-dotted ridges and needle-topped peaks before arriving at the marshy banks of the Colorado River. Some tastier treats like carrots contain sugar and like us, these burros dont get enough exercise to work it all off the extra calories. Patrons have placed one-dollar bills on the saloon's walls and ceiling for decades, a tradition that continues today. JD & Bridget Burns 3/31/2010 The Burros roam the streets, sticking their heads inside your car to eat out of your hand.The Oatman Hotel is said to be haunted and is also where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard stayed on their wedding night in 1939. //pre loader Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Which brings us to the burros and the gunfighters. No portion of this document may be reproduced, copied or revised without written permission of the authors. newimage0 = new Image(); Its yet to be seen if a lack of handouts will keep the Oatman burros out of town for good. The town was once a gold-mining town that was the largest in Arizona. Trip Planning Caution: RoadsideAmerica.com offers maps, directions and attraction details as a convenience, providing all information as is. Absolutely horrible backwater little nothing place in the middle of nowhere. Heres the plan for a perfect day in Oatman, Arizona, the best place to eat for miles and miles. Be sure to explore the road in the afternoon, as the Oatman Ghost Rider Gunfighters put on two free shows daily. It is estimated that miners extracted more than $36 million from these mountains during this period. The "locals" are horrible peopleone followed me and took photos of my butt. Wayne & Annette Callow 6/14/2015 A very unique and fun place, in the middle of nowhere! OUTLAW While looking up these records on microfilm would be a chore, with online Oatman obituaries, all you need is a name, state of death, and year of death. The towns biggest mine closed in 1924, and by 1941, the government ordered the closing of Oatmans remaining mining operations as part of the countrys war efforts. The Oatman AZ gunfight schedule is full of events that take place daily, starting at high noon. 191 Main St Oatman, AZ 86433 CLOSED NOW 2. window.status = scroll; oatman arizona travel sighs - oatman arizona stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images meadow of wildflowers at sitgreaves pass - oatman arizona stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images Road 66: Chicago To Los Angeles On June 1st, 1992 - Oatman, Arizona, Population: Then 8000, Now 150 In ,United States DON'T GO! We earn a commission from affiliate links that may be included in this post. Peach Springs, Arizona 86434. Street gun fight at Oatman, Arizona Ghost town #gunfight #oatman #arizona #oatmanGhosttown #streetshow #cowboy #lasvegasghosttown #arizonaghosttown We had been here before but made the trip out of the way with some friends so they could take in the gunfight. Kipp & Pam Smith 10/8/2017 Arizona Ghost Towns and Wild-West Day Trip from Las Vegas. Gunfight in Oatman Arizona Oatman is a small community that sprang up around 1906 when gold was discovered. Oatman was founded about 1906. I dont think the answer youre looking for is in the middle of nowhere, but that about sums it up! She repeated what I was told before about "enough money on the street" but there was a show at 1:30 so she thought there would be a show. Box 423 Oatman, Arizona 86433 Phone: 928-577-9139 or 928-234-0344 Wednesday, November 09, 2022 OATMAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Will be putting on the. Tom & Tassie Ogryzek 4/04/2016 Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch is located in northwest Arizona in the Mohave Desert, one hour away from the nearest town.We welcome 19985 S Doc Holliday Rd Not much came of the discovery until two lucky prospectors struck it rich in 1915, with a 10 million dollar claim. Richard & Angelique Daniels I dont recommend buying chocolate unless you want to eat it ASAP. The noise of the day's first gunfight seemed to draw them out of the hills, and soon a dozen or more were wandering the main street. Oatman: The Massacre, Town and Haunted Hotel. Richard & Susan Hartford 12/22/2013