Jackass Junction

by Donna Kennedy

Title

Jackass Junction

Artist

Donna Kennedy

Medium

Photograph - Photographs

Description

Original Fine Art Photography by Donna Kennedy-
Photographed in the ghost town of Oatman, AZ

Oatman is a census-designated place in the Black Mountains of Mohave County, Arizona, United States, located at an elevation of 2,710 feet. It began as a small mining camp when two prospectors struck a $10 million gold find in 1915, though the vicinity had already been settled for a number of years. Oatman's population grew to more than 3,500 in the course of a year. As of the 2020 census, its population was 102. In 1921, a fire burned down many of Oatman's smaller buildings, but spared the Oatman Hotel built in 1902. It remains the oldest two-story adobe structure in Mohave County and is a Mohave County historical landmark.
Oatman was fortunate it was located on busy U.S. Route 66 and was able to cater to travelers driving between Kingman, Arizona, and Needles, California. Yet even that advantage was short-lived, because the town was completely bypassed in 1953 when a new route was built between Kingman and Needles. By the 1960s, Oatman was all but abandoned. As of 2022, the town survives as a nostalgic Route 66 stop that prides itself on maintaining a Wild West feel down to the wooden sidewalks, staged shootouts, and kitschy shops.
Wild Burros roam the streets of this old Ghost Town and mining camp. Oatman's "Wild" Burro's are the descendants of burros brought here by the miners in the late 1800s; when the miners no longer needed them, they were turned loose. Each morning they come into town looking for food. They wander the streets and greet the tourists.

Thank you to the Administrators that Featured this photo in the following Groups:
-Canon Full Frame Cameras
-Fine Art America Professionals
-Your Story of Art
-Lady Photographers and Artists
-Wonders of Route 66
-Just Perfect

Uploaded

March 21st, 2023

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