Adventures in Oatman, Az.

Jim and I visited Oatman, AZ on our way back to Texas. We stopped at our usual KOA in Needles, Ca. and called our friends, Chuck and Judy Pease. (They were staying at a park in a nearby town.) They talked us into staying an extra day and they would take us sight seeing. Thus Oatman, Az and London Bridge in Lake Havasu City, Az. (London Bridge will be a future blog).

Oatman was a gold mining town 100 years ago. The town was named after Olive Oatman, who was kidnapped as a young girl by Mojave Indians and later rescued in 1857 near the current site of the town.

The mining boom was short lived. In 1921, a fire burned down many of the smaller shacks in town, and three years later, the main mining company shut down operations for good. After that, Oatman survived by catering to the travelers on old Route 66. In the 1960's, when the road by passed the town it became Route 40 and Oatman almost died.

Today they survive as a "fun place to visit". It is now an authentic old western town with burros roaming the streets and gun fights staged on weekends. The burros are tame and can be hand fed. They are direct descendants of the burros that were originally brought in when mining was active. When the miners left, they turned the burros loose to fend for themselves.

It was so 'neat' to see these animals and be able to feed and pet them. Thanks Chuck and Judy!!!

Hope you enjoy!!!!