Oatman, AZ: One of Arizona’s Most Famous Ghost Towns
Explore a historic mining town frozen in time, and walk the streets where the Old West still lives.
The woman behind the name: Olive Oatman’s haunting legacy
Olive Oatman was 14 in 1851, when her family was attacked by Yavapai in Arizona Territory. She and her sister were taken captive. Later, they were traded to the Mohave people, who adopted them. Olive received the tribe’s traditional chin tattoo and lived with them for years.
After five years, Olive was released and returned to white society, but struggled with reintegration. Her story became a national sensation, symbolizing frontier survival. The town of Oatman, named in her memory, stands as a reminder of her dramatic and complex life.
Oatman, AZ by Dan BullArizona Preservation Foundation
Tracing Oatman’s Wild West roots
In 1915, gold was discovered in the Black Mountains, and the following rush of people led to the founding of Oatman. The town bore every trace of a classic gold-rush boom town: in just one year, the population swelled to over 3,500.
Vintage Postcard of Oatman's Route 66 (1940)Arizona Preservation Foundation
In 1941, the effort for WWII shut down the gold mines, due to the pressing need for other metals. The town’s economy took a major blow, but Route 66 kept the town alive until 1953, when a new route bypassed the town. As of the 2020 census, only 102 people still live in Oatman.
Burros on Main Street: Oatman’s furry ambassadors
While no longer a booming mining town, Oatman is now famous for its wild burros, which roam the town and are said to outnumber people.
Gunslingers, gift shops, and gold dust adventures
The town has leaned into its Wild West persona, and has staged shootouts twice daily. The shootouts take place along the main road, which is lined with tourist shops.
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An offbeat stop on America’s favorite road trip
Learn more about Oatman, and plan your visit here.
Written by Reese Finnigan. Images sourced by Reese Finnigan and Brook Crowell.
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