OATMAN, Ariz. – Kris Crawford bought the historic Oatman Drug Company in the spring of 2021 and has used it to sell her all natural soap, Old School Soap Works and Route 66 gift shop, in Oatman. However, the building became unsafe, and the county forced her to close down July, 2025. Now, little over a year later, she has decided to restore the historic building. According to Crawford, once completed, the cost will be close to $1 million.
“We’re not doing it for money,” Crawford said, “but for my love of history. We’re getting prepared for a new foundation. Licensed, structural engineers gave me an 87-page detailed engineers report. Many professionals are restoring it to its historic appearance.”
Although Crawford and her husband do not live in Oatman, but in Missoula, Montana, her family did live there for 60 years and owned property there. That’s how she first became a landowner in Oatman. When she went into the county assessor’s office to pay taxes, she discovered that she owned seven properties.
Crawford has a heart for history. That’s why she is restoring the 100-year-old Oatman Drug Company which has housed many businesses. “This building was originally built in 1914 as a drug store and an apothecary. Later a soda fountain on Route 66. In 1916, a two-story addition was added as the Arizona Central bank.”
She said over the course of 100 years, the historic building has also housed a speakeasy during prohibition, a pool hall, barber shop, telephone company, judge’s chambers, lawyer, dentist, and gift shops since the 1980s.
“In 1962, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) painted the whole building to create a hotel for the famous film How The West Was Won.”
Stutzman Investments, she said, will be doing the restoration. “They ran the water company for 35 years and have renovated other buildings for me,” Crawford said.
Until she can reopen, the only way to buy her soaps and other items offered in the store is on the website or by calling her. Crawford is hoping they can reopen by Christmas.
The new store will house not only her soap and other gifts, but it will also have a museum with Oatman history and artifacts found on the 10 properties she owns in Oatman.
Crawford said she is replacing the sidewalk in front of the newly restored building with bricks available for purchase. Anyone who wishes, may become a part of history and purchase a brick with their name on it for $1,000.
For more information call Crawford at 406-546-6412.
