Its hard to separate the legend and the lore from the lies, he said. Stories abound of riches buried by Spanish explorers or Native Americans, as well as tales of precious ore pulled from mines whose . That is, until Miguel Peraltas family stumbles upon the site and start mining the gold. He disappeared, as usual, one night, and never returned. Two of the most famous lost mines are the Lost Dutchman Mine of Arizona and Pegleg Smith's Mine of Southern California. Common reasons for the mines being lost include: (Jameson, 2009). But did you know the state is also home to a 30-square-mile sand dune field? Arizona Lost Mines By James Harvey McClintock in 1913 Arizona Prospector Almost every prospector, whether professional or tenderfoot, had his own pet "lost mine" that he looked for. New Evidence About the Lost Dutchman Mine But the mine remains shrouded in mystery, so much so that it might not exist at all. Jacob Snively hit the first major gold strike around 1857 with sizeable nuggets found in the Gila River near Gila City, Arizonas first boom town. I had been prospecting out of Prescott AZ. A Detailed History of Mining in Arizona from Arizona Mining Association - arizona gold mine photos et images de collection Where he digs for gold and searches for the legendary lost Dutchman mine. Arizonas Gold Rush He had a very irritating habit of disappearing from the camp once in a while, going by night, and taking with him several burros, whose feet would be so well wrapped that trailing was impossible. Offers five-day prospecting lessons and mining excursions for small groups throughout the year. So far. All he could be induced to do was to toss his arms and say, Plenty gold here; go hunt. Ben did hunt for years and was outfitted several times by A.H. Peeples, who believed that he finally died of thirst on the desert. Over the years, additional grants from Arizona State Parks and private developers helped build three trailheads, two parking lots . With Arizona's wild and violent past, you can bet there are quite a few that exist in our Southwestern state. Follow the lives of ambitious miners as they head north in pursuit of gold. McKeevers daughter, Belle, was taken captive and a number of soldiers gave chase. - arizona gold mine stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images But to find the big gold payout, theyll put their lives on the line by diving deep beneath the raging waters of one of Alaskas wildest creeks. Arizona Gold Adventures, Congress. Jacob Waltz moved to Phoenix and died in 1891, at the age of 83. The famous legend began during a trapping expedition down the Colorado River in the late 1820s or early 1830s. He supposedly described the mine's location to Julia Thomas, a neighbor who took care of him prior to his death. He found some. The trio succeeded in returning safely to San Bernardino and in 1875, gathered twelve men to return to the lost bonanza. Outdoor Recreation: Treasure Hunting. Who doesnt love a good mystery? The story goes something like this: Waltz and/or Weiser locate a rich gold mine in the. As he was nearing death in 1891, Waltz was being cared for by Julia Thomas, an acquaintance with whom he shared the golds location. There are multiple versions of the Pegleg legend as well as other stories of black nuggets that seem to correlate with some of the facts stated in Pegleg lore. List of Arizona Mineral & Mining Museums. Most of the stories of lost mines had to them an Indian annex. 8284 Lost Mine Rd. Finder of this note please give to Howard Peterson. Subsequent searchers have sometimes met with foul play or even death, contributing to the superstition and legend that surround these mountains. There was a Dr Thorne who had a private practice in New Mexico, however. During the robbery, they were confronted by a small contingent of Mexican soldiers and police and a battle ensued. They are the tallest trees on Earth, with some reaching more than 250 feet tall. Shasta, Californias Mysterious Volcano, is an Enigma Waiting to be Explored, Three New Species of Snakes Discovered in Graveyards and Churches in Ecuador. In the distance, he saw a high mountain, crowned with a peculiar rocky formation like a gigantic thumb turned backward (a description that might be Sombrero Butte) to the east of Cherry Creek Valley. Tiffany Owens is a freelance travel writer and the Phoenix/Scottsdale City Expert for HomeandAbroad.com. In a pocket was a map, very roughly made and probably very inaccurate, on which he had attempted to show the position of the golden spring. This story was based on the adventures of a young surgeon named Thorne, who, having cured the eye troubles of a couple of Apache Indians where he was stationed, was induced to visit the Indian village where there was an epidemic of the same disorder. The most significant and debilitating bout occurred in 1849 after gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill the previous year. 623.934.6882 2023 Warner Bros. Superstition Mountains. Each step into the desert may bring you a little closer to a fortune. Goldfield Ghost Town, Goldfield: Stop in at the Prospectors Palace to learn the art of panning from a gold historian. The body of one "dutch hunter" (as they are known to locals) was found in the Superstition Mountains as recently as 2012. In 2006, all of Arizonas gold production came as a fortuitous byproduct of copper mining. There are records of Waltz selling or transporting gold which are estimated to total $254,000.. 928.443.8000 The secret route to the lost Dutchman goldmine in Arizona was very simple and common sense. Lost Goldmine and Cougar Loop. But modern-day treasure hunters do exist. Ruth was an amateur prospector in the that he had never found gold but had been seeking it for it for years. The three, finally driven out by famine, started out and found on their trail, the bodies of all their comrades, who had been murdered by Apache Indians. But the prospector, with only his burro for companionship, was wont to dream strange dreams and, eventually, to transmute them into what he considered reality. Lost Mines & Buried Treasure of the Southwest by Thomas Penfield, Lost Cities & Ancient Mysteries of the Southwest by David Hatcher Childress, Lost Gold and Silver Mines of the Southwest by Eugene L. Conrotto, Lost Mines & Buried Treasures of Arizona by W.C. Jameson, Southwest Treasure Hunters Gem & Mineral Guide: Where & How to Dig, Where to Find Gold in the Desert by James Klein, 3 Thrillseekers wanted to travel to Sweden, Ecuador or Canada in July with World Nomads, Worldwide: Getty Images Awarding $10,000 Grants to 3 Instagram Photographers, New Creative Opps for Travelers in Switzerland, Montana, Michigan, California & Marfa, Texas, Hey Dutchman Hunters! Some 8,000 people each year try to find it. lost dutchman state park - arizona gold mine stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images Tourists walk along the buildings on Main Street in the old mining ghost town of Goldfield, Arizona.. An authentic reconstruction of the original Main Street in the old mining ghost town of Goldfield, Arizona.. The differences are evident in the variance of descriptive landmarks, dates, and historical information. Free, no day use fee. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Misinformation and rumors about the mine grew so ubiquitous that in 1895, they made it into the San Francisco Chronicle. Not only is it 600 miles of mountains, lakes and rivers, but leaving late in the season means the winter may derail their plans. Experience this 4.0-mile loop trail near Gold Canyon, Arizona. The story was widely copied, and from eastern points, so many inquiries came that the Herald editor had to have a little slip printed to be sent back in reply. Already in the 16th century, Spanish Conquistadors roamed the area, looking for the precious metal. Within a year, Thomas and others began searching for the hidden gold and even sold maps with instructions to get to the mine. At age 66, he went to the Superstitions alone, over the objections of his son and family. Desert Geological Terms, Home | About | Contact Us | Feedback | Privacy | Site Outline | Advertising on DesertUSA | Hotels, New Evidence About the Lost Dutchman Mine, 7 Smartphone Apps to Improve Your Camping Experience. The Apache Indians spoke of a place in the desert where the ground was littered with gold nuggets. In one story, a miner is crossing the desert between Yuma and Warner's Ranch, when he climbs up one of three buttes to get a better sense of his location. Waltz and his partner, Jacob Weiser, worked the mine and allegedly hid one or more caches of gold in the Superstitions. Ben was taken to some water holes, about 65 miles northwest of Antelope, toward McCracken, in southern Mohave County. The Legend Of Arizona's Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Is Downright Deadly Who doesn't love a good mystery? To keep up with the pace of change, organizations that havent already can benefit greatly from exploring skills-based training. Required fields are marked *. No one was ever able to follow the Indian into the desert to discover his secret gold mine. Township 14 0090N 0050W ranks third in the state with 179 placer claims. Monica is a staff writer for Only In Your State, photo editor for The Mesa Legend, and previously a staff writer for The Navajo Post. The third Indian legend is about a Yaqui Indian who lived and worked near Warner's Ranch. Walk down Main Street, explore the many shops and historic buildings. In the coastal town of Lincoln City, Oregon, beachcombers flock to the sand in hopes of finding one very specific treasure: glass fishing floats. The country for miles around was searched carefully to find the source of his wealth, which could not have been very far distant. Arizona Mineral Rights & Mining Claims The largest exploring and prospecting expedition Arizona ever has known since the days of Coronado originated on the tale of a prospector named Miner. In the early 1850s, the Colorado River crossing at Yuma became a major route for gold seekers from the East. December 09, 2019 By the time the miners had excavated all of the gold at La Paz, they had retrieved eight million dollars worth. You'll also get to witness an old west gun fight performed by the famous Goldfield . Safford commanded the recruits from Tucson and was elected commander-in-chief of the party at the camp near Grant. Spaniard Don Joaquin conducted mining exploration in the Sierra Estrella Mountain Range south of Phoenix, Arizona in the mid-1800s. In the morning they found the spring fairly paved with gold nuggets. This evidence, along with the stories and records of gold transport issued by Waltz, confirms the legend of the Lost Dutchman. Want to read up on some other Arizona mysteries? Doc Thorne's Lost Gold Mine: Next to the Lost Dutchman's Gold, the most talked about and searched for treasure in Arizona over the last century remains Doc Thorne's gold. Was Peg Leg's Gold Found? Mining flourished in Gila City until 1862 when a flood destroyed the town. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. The Ashleys were never able to retrace Palmers path to the ledge. But with the dollars decline in recent years, gold mining has experienced a sudden resurgence: From the Discovery Channels show. Later, after the Indian died in a fight, $4,000 worth of gold was found in his bunk. P.S. We must ask ourselves the toughest question of all -- "Do I believe there is still gold to be found in the desert?" But with the dollars decline in recent years, gold mining has experienced a sudden resurgence: From the Discovery Channels show, Gold Rush Alaska, where six men risked it all to strike it rich mining the Alaskan wilderness to a distinct rise in gold claims filed in Arizona. Click here to view the video Riding on Gold - Pegleg Smith. To this day, both lost mines are actively sought after by old time prospectors and treasure hunters. Dr. DeCourcy searched for years, and was never able to find the three buttes the miner described on his death bed. Then, to recoup the cost of the failed expedition, Thomas started selling maps that she claimed would lead people to the mine. Discovery.com unpacks the mysteries and myths long surrounding the Bermuda Triangle. from the Netherlands) because he was Deutsch (i.e. february 2004 arizona highways magazine eternal search for lost gold mines discover our newest desert preserve first peek at kartchner caverns big room the lure of wild orchids gold , gold ev. Before we get into those, here are some genuine facts about the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine: There really was a Lost Dutchman, although he wasnt Dutch. Doc is just one of an endless stream of treasure hunters in search of the. 480.982.0276 Other members were, Bob Groom, the noted pioneer; Al Sieber, the foremost Indian campaign scout of the Southwest, Willard Rice and Dan OLeary. It is possible that the mountain was the Harqua Hala. Numerous maps have surfaced over the years, only to become lost or misplaced when interested parties pressed for facts. When they failed, it is reported they sold copies of a map for $7 each. from the Netherlands) because he was, The Lost Dutchman Mine is also the most sought after in American history. There is another lost mine, equally as famous as the Pegleg mine, which has crazed the minds of prospectors and treasure seekers for years. This is a popular trail for hiking and mountain biking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The ore was all that Flannigan claimed and $1,800 was realized from its sale. Chapter 12 of Thunder God's Gold by Barry Storm (John Clymenson), published in 1945, tells a very interesting story about a large piece of rich gold quartz found by William (Bill) Jenkins while on a picnic in the Superstition Mountains with his family in 1937. The Lost Goldmine Trail is a permanent, eleven-mile multi-use trail across the south face of the Superstitions that connects the Peralta trailhead on the east to the Lost Dutchman State Park near Apache Junction. How? Join Lawrence Fishburne as he uncovers the truth behind the strangest mysteries of all time in History's Greatest Mysteries: Solved - https://histv.co/HGMSTh. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); DesertUSA Newsletter -- We send articles on hiking, camping and places to explore, as well as animals, wildflower reports, plant information and much more. Gold miners Dakota Fred and his son Dustin are determined to make a fortune no matter the risk. The Cerro Colorado Mine, which sits a little less than 20 miles from the Arizona-Mexico border, produced mostly silver but also small amounts of gold, lead, and copper. Lost Dutchman Mine Found ? Lost Mines & Buried Treasures of Arizona by W.C. Jameson, University of New Mexico Press, 2009. Monica is a Din (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. The Vulture Mining Company was born. The explanation then was given that the Indians were afraid that the white men would come in such numbers that the Indian preponderance of population would be lost. This wall has vertical eroded ridges resembling a pipe organ. of gold. All rights reserved. During the 1840s, the Peralta family of northern Mexico supposedly developed rich gold mine(s) in the Superstition Mountains. 914.589.3985. Tour the historic Mammoth Gold Mine and visit the Goldfield Museum. Mining flourished in Gila City until 1862 when a flood destroyed the town. They were friendly, and he gave her hints about the mine's location. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. This article first appeared on Curiosity.com. 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Got a strange map? 16 Lost Treasures of Arizona Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine Herman Wolf's Treasure Trove Legend of the Lost Opata Mine The Smiling Bandits Lost Loot Red Jack Almer Gangs Lost Loot $72,000 in Gold Coins: Stolen Army Payroll Buried Cans of Gold Coins at Ashurst Ranch Lost Gold at Granite Dells Blacksmith's Lost Booty Hidden Indian Gold Near Lynx Creek Most popular of lost mine stories in pioneer days was that of the Ni**er Ben. In 1891, a miner named A.H. Peeples, who had been prospecting with the Weaver Party, told an editor what he knew of the legend. , gold mining has experienced a sudden resurgence: from the Netherlands ) because he was, the Dutchman... Dutchman mine is also home to lost gold mines of arizona fortune Jameson, University of Mexico! The risk trapping expedition down the Colorado River crossing at Yuma became a major route for gold seekers from East... 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