A new Western-themed attraction is being built near Oatman, Ariz., called Route 66 Ranch, according to an article in the Mohave Daily News.
It’s the brainchild of Tom and Jennifer McCarthy, who also own the Oatman Stables horseback-riding business.
Plans for the Route 66 Ranch include 10 shops each with a different theme, a petting zoo and food and beverage vendors. McCarthy said each shop will have Western decor and facade and will be limited to what they can sell or make. For example, there would only be one candle maker or one blacksmith. […]
McCarthy said while not all shop owners in Oatman have supported the idea, she wants to reassure them that the Route 66 Ranch is not trying to compete with Oatman. She said she believes many of the attractions the Route 66 Ranch will offer will be complementary to the events in Oatman.
“We would like to offer stagecoach rides in and out of town several times per day,” she said. “That way, instead of spending a couple of hours, maybe visitors will want to spend half a day here.”
At the Route 66 Ranch, employees will be in period-themed costumes and the attractions will be historically accurate.
A beer and wine license has been approved for the ranch’s 12 acres, although McCarthy said only about eight acres will be built on at the beginning. She said the entire property received the license in hopes that the ranch will be able to accommodate large parties that could spread out across the property.
An artist’s rendering of the future Route 66 Ranch can be seen here. The ranch is two miles west of Oatman on 66.
In fact, Route 66 Ranch is hosting a Bikers vs. Bulls event during the Laughlin (Nev.) River Run in a couple of weeks, where a biker wins a prize if one tames a bull the best. The ranch also soon will be hosting a Cinco de Mayo rodeo for kids.
Oatman itself attracts nearly a half-million visitors a year. So it makes sense that someone else would try to draw some of those tourists, also, with a related business. I agree that the McCarthys’ effort, if it is built as planned, would complement Oatman, not compete against it.