Between an extensive mining history and 385 miles of Route 66 running straight through the state, Arizona is no stranger to old-fashioned general stores. From the iconic Hackberry General Store in Seligman to the Cameron Trading Post just outside the Grand Canyon, nostalgia abounds in these longstanding tourist destinations. Another winsome old store is Oatman General Store, tucked away in a dusty old ghost town most people have forgotten about. It's over a century old, and visiting is like stepping back in time to much simpler days.
Oatman, a former mining town in the Black Mountains of Mohave County, has been made famous by the wild burros that freely roam its streets.
Also in town is Oatman General Store, which, at over 110 years old, is among the oldest general stores in Arizona.
Although ownership of the store has changed hands many times over the years, there's a nostalgic charm that only gets stronger as time goes by.
Stepping inside is like taking a trip back to the heyday of the Old West, and you'll forever cherish your visit.
Today, the store belongs to John and Bonnie Nowak, who settled down in Oatman in 1994 after packing their bags and hitting the road to find a place to retire.
The selection has grown so much that you could easily spend hours trying to make sense of it all.
With everything from fine jewelry to an impossibly large collection of Coca-Cola collectibles to tons of Route 66, Oatman, and Arizona souvenirs, you'll be hard-pressed to think of something you can't find here.
Other items include Seiko clocks, assorted knick-knacks, and handmade Native American jewelry and artifacts.
You'll find everything you need (and plenty of things you don't), and almost no one leaves empty handed.
Contributing even further to the quirkiness, Christmas lights are strung up outside year-round.
It's only fitting, as Christmas ornaments are some of the best-selling items at the general store! There's no such thing as a bad time to start planning your holiday décor!
Address: 180 Main Street, Oatman, AZ, 86433.
Hours are 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily.
Visit the Oatman General Store website to learn more. If you love this slice of Arizona's past, why not hop on the highway for our road trip to historical sites in Arizona? We've even put together a put together a road trip packing list to make sure you don't forget any important items.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
