The Haunted Oatman Hotel, Arizona
Nestled within the rugged landscape of western Arizona, lies the historic town of Oatman, a place where time seems to have slowed to a leisurely pace, and echoes of the past resonate through its weathered buildings and dusty streets. At the heart of this captivating ghost town stands the Haunted Oatman Hotel, a landmark steeped in history, folklore, and a generous helping of ghostly tales. More than just a building, the Haunted Oatman Hotel serves as a tangible link to Oatman’s vibrant past, a silent witness to its booms and busts, and a welcoming host to the curious travelers who venture along the remnants of the iconic Route 66.
The story of Oatman begins in the early 1900s, a time when the promise of gold lured prospectors and dreamers to the harsh desert landscape. Initially, Oatman was little more than a sprawling tent city, a temporary haven for those seeking their fortune in the unforgiving terrain. The Haunted Oatman Hotel itself originated in 1902 as the Drulin Hotel, a modest eight-room establishment that quickly became a vital hub for the burgeoning mining community. The hotel provided a much-needed respite for weary miners, offering a place to rest, refuel, and share stories of their hopes and hardships.
The town’s fortunes took a dramatic turn in 1915 when two lucky miners struck a particularly rich vein of gold, a discovery that would ultimately yield a staggering $10 million. This monumental find ignited a gold rush, transforming Oatman from a sleepy mining camp into a bustling boomtown almost overnight. Within a year, the population exploded to over 3,500 residents, as people from all walks of life flocked to Oatman in search of their own piece of the golden pie. The Drulin Hotel, later to be known as the Haunted Oatman Hotel, thrived during this period, struggling to keep up with the constant influx of miners, businessmen, and adventurers seeking accommodation.
However, Oatman’s rapid growth was not without its challenges. The town suffered a series of devastating fires in its early years, threatening to obliterate it entirely. Yet, with each setback, the resilient residents of Oatman persevered, rebuilding their town and reaffirming their commitment to this remote desert outpost. In 1920, the Drulin Hotel underwent extensive repairs, emerging as a stronger and more refined establishment, ready to continue serving the needs of its many guests.
The gold boom, like all booms, eventually came to an end. In 1924, the United Eastern Mines, the largest mining company in the area, ceased operations, dealing a severe blow to Oatman’s economy. The town’s population dwindled, and its future hung precariously in the balance. However, the advent of Route 66, the "Mother Road," offered a lifeline to Oatman, breathing new life into the struggling community. The old town, including the Haunted Oatman Hotel, found a new purpose in catering to the ever-increasing stream of travelers seeking adventure and a taste of authentic Americana along the iconic highway.
The Haunted Oatman Hotel holds a particularly special place in the hearts of many due to its alleged connection to Hollywood royalty. According to local lore, Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, the celebrated silver screen icons, spent their wedding night at the hotel on March 29, 1939, following their marriage in nearby Kingman. This romantic legend has become an integral part of the hotel’s identity, drawing visitors from far and wide who are eager to experience the charm and mystique of the Gable and Lombard era. The couple, reportedly enamored with the hotel’s tranquility and charm, returned to the Haunted Oatman Hotel on several occasions, seeking refuge from the pressures of their glamorous lives. Gable was also known to enjoy playing poker with the local miners, further cementing the couple’s connection to the Oatman community. The tragic death of Carole Lombard in a plane crash in 1942 only served to deepen the emotional resonance of their story, adding a layer of poignant nostalgia to the Haunted Oatman Hotel’s allure.
Over the years, the hotel underwent several name changes, eventually settling on the Oatman Hotel in the 1960s. However, the construction of the interstate system, which bypassed Oatman altogether, dealt another crushing blow to the town’s economy. Once again, Oatman faced the threat of becoming a forgotten relic of the past. Today, only a handful of residents, numbering around 100, call Oatman home year-round.
Despite its near demise, Oatman has managed to persevere, largely due to its unique character and the enduring appeal of its historic landmarks, most notably, the Haunted Oatman Hotel. The hotel’s reputation as a hub of paranormal activity has spread far and wide, attracting ghost hunters, paranormal enthusiasts, and curious travelers from all corners of the globe.
Among the hotel’s most famous spectral residents are, of course, the spirits of Clark Gable and Carole Lombard. Their lingering presence is attributed to the fond memories they shared at the Haunted Oatman Hotel, a connection so strong that they are said to refuse to leave. Guests and staff alike have reported hearing whispers and laughter emanating from their former room when it is seemingly empty. One particularly compelling account involves a professional photographer who captured an image of a ghostly figure in the room, further fueling the legend of Gable and Lombard’s continued presence.
However, Gable and Lombard are not the only spirits said to roam the halls of the Haunted Oatman Hotel. The second floor houses a Theater Room Museum, where visitors have reported finding distinct outlines of sleeping bodies in the dust on the beds, with no corresponding disturbances in the surrounding area. Staff members suspect that this spectral sleeper is a former chambermaid, who is often sighted in the room.
Another guest room is reportedly haunted by the spirit of an Irish miner, affectionately known as "Oatie." Legend has it that the miner, distraught by the loss of his family who died en route to America, turned to heavy drinking. One fateful night, he passed out behind the hotel and never woke up. Ever since, his spirit is said to haunt his old room, often heard playing the mournful tunes of his bagpipes. Other common pranks attributed to Oatie include opening the window in his former room and pulling the covers off the bed, as well as a sudden and inexplicable drop in temperature, even on the hottest desert days.
Downstairs, in the saloon, a number of playful spirits are said to be at work. Witnesses have reported seeing money lifted off the bar and glasses raised into the air seemingly by themselves. Other unexplained phenomena include lights turning on and off erratically, eerie voices echoing through the empty rooms, toilets flushing in vacant bathrooms, and footprints appearing on recently cleaned floors.
Fortunately for the Haunted Oatman Hotel, its resident ghosts are generally considered to be playful and friendly, rarely engaging in activities that would frighten guests away. This reputation for mischievous but harmless paranormal activity has contributed to the hotel’s enduring appeal, drawing visitors who are eager to experience a brush with the supernatural.
The Haunted Oatman Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings, a testament to its significance in the history of Oatman and the surrounding region. The hotel is filled with memorabilia from its rich past, offering visitors a glimpse into the lives of those who once frequented its halls. The Gable/Lombard Room has been meticulously refurbished to reflect the period when the Hollywood stars were said to have stayed there, providing a tangible link to the golden age of cinema.
While the Haunted Oatman Hotel no longer offers overnight accommodations, it continues to serve as a museum, restaurant, and gift shop, drawing visitors from far and wide. The saloon, with its walls plastered with dollar bills signed by countless travelers, is a particularly popular attraction, a testament to the hotel’s enduring legacy as a gathering place for those seeking a taste of the Wild West.
Contact Information:
Oatman Hotel
181 Main Street,
Oatman, Arizona.
928-768-4408
Special Note: The claim that Clark Gable and Carole Lombard spent their wedding night at the Oatman Hotel remains a subject of debate. However, the legend persists, widely promoted and written about. We have chosen to include it as part of the hotel’s story, acknowledging its legendary status.