July really isn’t the best time of year to visit Oatman Arizona. It was 110 degrees, the trees were sweating. It’s one of my favorite places to visit while out Vegas way.
For what is essentially a ghost town, there are a surprising number of people that live and work here. The tourist trade is thriving, even in the heat, long miles away from civilization. Once a gold mining town, it was named after Olive “Annie” Oatman, who has a story all her own.
Wild donkeys roam the streets, a relic of the old mining days. They are a little people-wary, but friendly enough if you have a little snack for them. It is illegal to harass them in any way. On old Route 66 on the way to Oatman, many of them gather in the road, they aren’t easily moved. Patience is necessary.
Oatman has a jail, now a little museum of Mining Town Justice. Of course justice was pretty much whatever the Sheriff said it was.
Mining built Oatman, it also destroyed it when the veins ran out. There is a little “mine” you can go in, it’s not very large, but it gives you an idea.
Being a tourist town, it has all the glitter and kitch you would expect. There are several shops, though, that have some very interesting things. Mostly art works by locals. There is also a small (and crowded) candy shop. My favorite place, though, is Dottie’s Bar. Talk about a hole in the wall, with ice cold beer (two choices) and cash only. I didn’t get a picture of Dottie’s this trip. I did have a beer.
Pretty much everything you need or want.
Who doesn’t need one of these? Mining is dirty business.
That’s all for now. Part 2 will be coming along soon, shot on better film. These were all shot on long expired Fuji Sensia 100. I hope you enjoyed this brief glimpse of one of my favorite places.
Analog America 