The town was named in honor of Olive Oatman, who as a young girl was kidnapped along with her sister by a Native American Tribe in Arizona Territory in 1851. She and her sister were later sold to the Mohave people, after which her sister died and Olive somehow eventually returned/was rescued in the general area of today’s Oatman. Olive received the tattoos on her face sometime during her captivity with the Mohave people.

The burros that own the streets are very friendly and are said to be descended from the original burros the miners once used back during the days of gold. When they were no longer needed, they were set free to become free range burros and have roamed the area ever since. They wander into town in the morning looking for food and are very adept at plucking things from people’s hands, so hold onto your candy tightly. In the evening, they head back to wherever they intend to spend the night. After taking more than enough burrophotos, it was time to resume my journey. Goldroad was next as I headed towards Sitgreaves Pass. Adios, burritos!

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