| In the late 1890's and
early 1900's, Oatman and the neighboring town of Gold Hill just two
miles down the road were productive gold mining towns. When the
Second World War came along, the miners went to mines that produced
other metals needed for the war effort, and then when the section of
Route 66 where Oatman and Gold Hill are located was bypassed to
build the cross-country Interstate 40 in 1952, Oatman became a
virtual ghost town. The Gold
Road mine opened again in 1995, but closed in 1998 due to low
gold prices. Today, mine tours are run daily for tourists, and Oatman has many shops, restaurants, and events with a Old West theme to please the tourists who
flock to the towns for
entertainment and souvenirs. Burros kept by the early miners were
released into the hills when mining ended, and now many of their decendants wander the streets greeting the visitors and looking for
handouts.
For more information, contact:
OATMAN-GOLD HILL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Box 423
Oatman, AZ 86433
928-768-6222
928-768-3839
Movie stars reportedly stayed at the
Oatman Hotel as they went through Arizona in the 1930's.
Photo by
Steve Aloi
|
