2006-03-21
travel | out of the way places
Oatman began about 90 years ago as a mining tent camp and quickly became a flourishing gold-mining center. In 1915, two miners struck a $10 million gold find, and within a year, the town's population grew to more than 3,500.
But both the population and mining booms were short-lived. In 1921, a fire burned down many of the smaller shacks in town, and three years later, the main mining company, United Eastern Mines, shut down operations for good. Oatman survived by catering to travelers on old U.S. Route 66. But in the 1960s, when the route became what is now Interstate 40, Oatman almost died.
Oatman, Arizona
Came across these while surfing. Credit really ought to go to "Cactus Jim" [for the info] and "Magic if you Will" [who took the pictures]
There are two main roads linking Oatman to State Highway 95. One is paved and the other is a dirt road leading to Bullhead City about 25 miles away. The dirt road is said to be in fairly good condition and is certainly a pleasurable egress from Oatman. Came across these while surfing. Credit really ought to go to "Cactus Jim" [for the info] and "Magic if you Will" [who took the pictures]
But both the population and mining booms were short-lived. In 1921, a fire burned down many of the smaller shacks in town, and three years later, the main mining company, United Eastern Mines, shut down operations for good. Oatman survived by catering to travelers on old U.S. Route 66. But in the 1960s, when the route became what is now Interstate 40, Oatman almost died.
SEEN AT: Ephemeral Villages and posted by Magic if you will |
Labels: travel
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My uncle, Duke Clark, ran the Oatman Gunfighters for 25 years and him and my aunt continue to live in Oatman. Definitely an interesting town.
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