How to visit and what to see in Oatman, a typical town on Route 66

If you are planning a trip along the west coast of the United States, and specifically, for the historic Route 66 in Arizona, you have the opportunity to visit Oatman,

In this old mining town, which later became a ghost town and now it is a tourist attraction.

Oatman It is located south of Las Vegas, in the Mohave County on the way to the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, 43 kilometers west of Kingman.

If you go directly from Los Angeles towards the old Ruta 66 On Route 40, as soon as you enter Arizona, in the town of Needles, you can turn off towards Oatman.

Curiosities history of Oatman on Route 66

Oatman was established at the beginning of the last century as a mining camp, but soon Its population increased rapidly to 3.500 inhabitants after a gold mine was discovered in 1915.

In the 20s, its mining activity declined considerably, which ceased completely after the Second World War.

Although the town had a resurgence in the 50s when the Ruta 66, this was ephemeral for Oatman Well, in 1953 the famous highway was diverted and stopped passing through this old mining town.

Finally, in the 60s it was almost completely abandoned and became a ghost town.

However, today it has resurfaced thanks to having become a tourist attraction on the old Route 66.

What to see when visiting Oatman on Route 66

Si vas a visit Oatman, you will see that the town's houses extend along a short street less than 200 meters long, maintaining the characteristics of a typical western town.

The two-story building former Oatman hotel It dates back to 1902 and is currently the oldest built with adobe in the world. Mohave County.

a curious Oatman attraction, on Route 66, are wild donkeys that wander through its streets among tourists.

The donkeys were once abandoned to their fate by the miners who left Oatman, and their descendants have continued to live around the town, so that during the day they usually walk through its streets in search of food.

Likewise, on the weekends of the most touristy seasons, in Oatman representations of typical western duels between rival gangs.

These “shooting” duels take place between tourists, and at the end, the “gunmen” pass the hat to collect tips.