So, Oatman, 2700 feet above sea level and only founded in 1906. An incredible little slice of history.

By 1931 official records show that the Oatman mining district (which covered a number of mines around the town and hillsides) produced $36,008,000, of which $35,740,000 was gold and the rest silver. Over 5000 people lived and worked in this hot dusty climate where water was initially brought in by burros over the passes.

According to the history of the town, the retirees in 1975 were adamant that there are still rich seams of gold in the hills waiting to be discovered. The mines were all closed and abandoned by 1945 as the second world war took the focus.

1930 view down Main Street with hotel on left:

Present day view with hotel on left:

Interestingly, it was only in the late 1970’s that it was even recognised as a township.

The burros that come into town are descendants of the original mining mules abandoned as the mines closed.

There were even films made here, “How the West Was Won”, Edge of Eternity” to name two

Oh and Clark Gable and Carole Lombard allegedly stopped here for one night on their honeymoon in 1939. Sadly the hotel is now a gift shop but it has preserved the hotel room and has an ace cafe bar which is covered in dollar bills left and signed by visitors.