But the mine remains shrouded in mystery, so much so that it might not exist at all. But will big risks lead to an even bigger pay out? Come and visit Goldfield Ghost Town today! But did you know the state is also home to a 30-square-mile sand dune field? Hunting lost Spanish gold mines for me started back in 1992 when I moved back to Sedona Arizona. As he was nearing death in 1891, Waltz was being cared for by Julia Thomas, an acquaintance with whom he shared the golds location. 8284 Lost Mine Rd. Your email address will not be published. At the head of the Prescott Party was Ed. It is said that more men have sought Pegleg's black nuggets than any other lost mine. Rich Hill is the center of a vast 40 square mile placer mining area. One of the first deaths attributed to the lost mine was Adolph Ruth in the 1930s, whose remains were found with bullet holes a few months after he disappeared into the wilderness. The location of the mine never became known to anyone, save its discoverer. Thank you! As was common in the West, the first discoveries of gold were placer deposits, followed by lode deposits found near Apache Junction, Big Bug, Bullhead City, Chloride, Globe, Oatman, Pearce, Quartzsite, Salome and Tombstone, which yielded the lions share of the states early gold supply. The gun had been there so long that even the hammer and trigger had rusted away. Additionally, there never was an army doctor named Thorne in the 1860s in Arizona. In fact, there is a man who claims to have found Pegleg's Lost Mine in 1952. The Apache separated into several bands, whose trails were followed by small detachments of soldiers, the most westerly by Sergeant Crossthwaite and two privates, Joe Wormley and Eugene Flannigan. New Evidence About the Lost Dutchman Mine Weiser is attacked (either by Apache or by Waltz) but survives long enough to tell a Dr Walker about the mine. Prospectors often recite stories that support the fabled legend of Pegleg's lost mine. When he reached the top of the butte, he discovered free particles of gold scattered about. 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. Rich Hill was the single richest discovery of gold in one place. 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. 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But when his son, who worked in Mexico, found a map that might lead to an Arizona gold mine, Ruth couldn't resist. The Weaver - Rich Hill district is located near the intersection of four townships, each one being one of Arizona's top gold areas. Supposedly tucked away in the rugged trails of the Superstition Mountains, the legend of unfathomable riches has numerous versions and characters and each insists on being the correct story, with some dating to the first trek Spanish conquistadors made into the northern reaches of the Sonoran desert. 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. From Grant, they marched to the Gila River, up the San Carlos and then to the Salt River. That is, until Miguel Peraltas family stumbles upon the site and start mining the gold. He vanished into the mountains in 2009 and his body was not discovered until three years later, hidden in a . But only rarely is it spectacularly visible from Earth. I've got to have help quick. The expedition never returned, and the members of the party were later found dead at the foot of the San Ysidro Mountains. Lost Goldmine and Cougar Loop. It is said that Pegleg got drunk while in Los Angeles, started a brawl in the local saloon and was quickly kicked out of town by the authorities. It wasn't until after the 1849 Gold Rush that Pegleg returned to California to organize a prospecting party to search for the butte where he found the black gold nuggets. 8302 Lost Mine Rd. Many were willing to tell me where I could buy my own panning tools and I also learned that gold is easiest to find after a hard rain. Most Arizonians are familiar with the Lost Dutchman, but there is a whole host of other tales of lost gold and loot (some with crude maps) still buried in the desert. As recent as January 2011, the. Not only has the value of gold, silver and other precious metals surged over the last decade, but financial experts claim that their worth will only increase exponentially in years to come. Keep your ears and eyes open, for you may be the lucky one who discovers the three buttes where Pegleg Smith found his black-coated gold nuggets, or a gold filled saddle bag from the Peralta Family's last mining expedition. Back in 1540 Francisco Vasquez de Coronado led a large expedition across Arizona in search of the mythical Seven Cities of Gold. The soldiers dug out coarse gold by the aid of their knives. 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However, the article that appears here is far from verbatim. Nearby, was a human skeleton, bleached from long exposure. How? By Jim Bremner, More The third Indian legend is about a Yaqui Indian who lived and worked near Warner's Ranch. After about a decade, the story sank into obscurity, regaining notoriety when it had acquired more spectacular aspects, in a fashion not dissimilar to a game of Chinese whispers. After the mine became unprofitable, Miguel Peralta turned to fraud. The deed was bogus, and Willing never recovered his money. This is a popular trail for hiking and mountain biking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Roadrunner Prospectors Club, Phoenix. Offers five-day prospecting lessons and mining excursions for small groups throughout the year. Vekols Buried Silver Ingots: Just a few miles north of the old ghost town of Vekol, near Casa Grande in Pinal County, lies a legendary cache of 300 silver ingots, each weighing 25 pounds. His partner had been killed, and he had escaped only by a miracle. According to the legend, the Apaches buried and hid the gold and covered up the mine. On one occasion, Alchisay, a Chiricahua Apache scout, is known to have pawned a nugget worth $500 for $10 worth of supplies, and later to have redeemed the gold, of which he seemed to know the full value. Men who claimed to have found the Peralta mine were unable to return to it, or some disaster occurred just before they could file a claim, all adding to the lore of a "lost mine.". Scott Taylor/Flickr Then, in 1891, he died . Until its closure in 1998, the Gold Road mine in Oatman was Arizonas last operating gold mine. It told of the arrival of a prospector from the depths of the Superstition Mountains, from which he had been driven out by pigmy Indians, who had swarmed out of the cliff dwellings. All rights reserved. Quite literally so, according to Southwestern Folklore author and researcher Byrd Granger. Wanting to retire in 1866, he sold 80% of the mine to Benjamin Phelps and other East Coast investors. Not only is it 600 miles of mountains, lakes and rivers, but leaving late in the season means the winter may derail their plans. Why 2023s Venus-Jupiter conjunction wont be bettered until 2039. Updated June 25, 2020 According to Storm, the chunk of quartz was half the size of a man's head, with . The body of one "dutch hunter" (as they are known to locals) was found in the Superstition Mountains as recently as 2012. As you probably guessed, they were fakes. Ben took a nugget from the prospectors stock that was about the size of a man s thumb and showed it to a chief who was especially friendly with him. Get counterintuitive, surprising, and impactful stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday. What really matters, though, is that Waltz the namesake Dutchman, or "Deutsch" (German) man wouldn't reveal the mine's location. When the mines closed, the towns died, and their remains have become ghost towns and tourist attractions. He was believed to be part of Pauline Weavers original exploration party that traveled along the Hassayampa River. He sold the mining rights to a large area in southern Arizona and New Mexico to Dr George M. Willing, Jr., based on a deed originally granted by the Spanish Empire. There May Be a Long-Lost Gold Mine in the Arizona Mountains By: Mae Rice For more than a century, adventurous souls have sought the Lost Dutchman Mine, and since 1891, more than a hundred people have claimed to find it. Lost Pick Mine of Old Arizona: Hidden Gold Remains Hidden By Andrea Aker December 29, 2009 8325 7 Excerpt from In Old Arizona by Marshall Trimble, the state's official historian. Get-rich-quick schemes are as American as the Fourth of July. For the last 150 years, people have risked their lives to go in search of Arizonas lost gold, silver and other buried treasures. 8356 Lost Mine Rd. (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. Tales of the lost Apaches gold, or Dr Thornes mine. Pegleg's questionable character and his reputation for drinking and lying add to the controversy surrounding the legend of his lost mine. Around 1870, two U.S. Army soldiers discover a vein of almost pure gold in or near the. Was Peg Leg's Gold Found? He kept the location hidden, perhaps in hopes of one day being able to take advantage of its riches when the timing was right. As recent as January 2011, the Arizona Republic reported more remains found in the Superstition Mountains, suspected to be three Utah friends who disappeared the previous July while searching for the riches of the fabled Lost Dutchman Mine. As early as Sept 1, 1892, a local newspaper relates . 623.934.6882 Hundreds of "lost mine" stories have been localized everywhere over the West. Pegleg and his party had acquired a large number of pelts during their trip and selected Pegleg and another member of the trapping party to take the supply of pelts across the desert to Los Angeles for sale. It is not certain who these people were; some believe they were Salado or Hohokam Indians who populated this part of Arizona several centuries ago. 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. He would return at night, in equally as mysterious a manner, his burros loaded with gold ore of wonderful richness. The Apache (some even mention their famous chief Geronimo in this respect) are the only ones who know of a very rich gold mine in the. The Lost Dutchman Mine is the most famous in American history. 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. This is one of the better counties for gold mining in Arizona. The stories of lost gold mines still lure prospectors, even today. Often, there is a map (sometimes called a "waybill") purportedly showing the location of the mine. McKeevers daughter, Belle, was taken captive and a number of soldiers gave chase. The famous legend began during a trapping expedition down the Colorado River in the late 1820s or early 1830s. Wormley reached the river, almost demented from his sufferings, and was unable to guide a party back into the desert. 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They are the tallest trees on Earth, with some reaching more than 250 feet tall. Instead he punched out without ever harvesting the hidden gold. In addition to the bank, the bandits looted the citys cathedral. Jakob Waltz was nicknamed Dutch (i.e. Water was found just in time to save their lives, for Wormley already had become delirious. Asteroid Ryugu Has Dust Grains Older Than the Sun. Misinformation and rumors about the mine grew so ubiquitous that in 1895, they made it into the San Francisco Chronicle. Through the years, truth and fiction about this mine have been irrevokably mixed up, producing 62 varieties of the legend. Digging for Gold Today Many prospectors and historians wonder why he did not go back to the desert and search for the butte where he discovered the gold. Ruth". True or not, the legend of the Lost Dutchmans Gold Mine continues to fascinate the public. The best times to visit this trail are September through May. Get more stories delivered right to your email. It's near a 1,000-foot-tall rock tower! Arizona Association of Gold Prospectors (AAGP), Phoenix. For more than a century, adventurous souls have sought the Lost Dutchman Mine, and since 1891, more than a hundred people have claimed to find it. The second legend concerns an Indian woman who was wandering about the desert in a state of dehydration. For almost 120 years now, theyve been looking for it. The lure, he said, continues to draw treasure hunters from all over the world to the Superstitions. #scot, Lynx Lake Mineral Withdrawal Area & Gold Panning Trail, Arizona Association of Gold Prospectors (AAGP), Phoenix/Scottsdale City Expert for HomeandAbroad.com, Want to read more travel articles from MDN? Some think this mine was first excavated by Mexico's Peralta family, then commandeered by Apaches or simply abandoned. The most significant and debilitating bout occurred in 1849 after gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill the previous year. 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. Today, we might expect more detail; back in those days, the story was enough to fatally pique the curiosity of an amateur prospector, Adolph Ruth. 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. McClintock began his career working at the Salt River Herald (later known as the Arizona Republic). It was during one of Waltzs prospecting trips that he somehow discovered the location of hidden gold in the Superstitions. He led two expeditions into the country but found no less than four such formations such as he remembered and the bonanza never was discovered. And not just crackpots: former attorney general of Arizona Bob Corbin was one of the many mine-seekers. However, the story and possibility of stumbling across immense wealth has enticed hundreds of people to attempt searching for the gold mine and a fair number of those lives have ended in death. But, the two prospectors had discovered some wonderful gold diggings, from which an almost impossible quantity of dust had been accumulated by a couple of days work. Heres a roundup of the best mining clubs, tours, dig sites, claim staking, books and historical information to help you start your own quest for Arizona gold. Some favorites include: Doc Thornes Lost Gold Mine: Next to the Lost Dutchmans Gold, the most talked about and searched for treasure in Arizona over the last century remains Doc Thornes gold. Peck, discoverer of the famous Peck Mine at Alexandria. But modern-day treasure hunters do exist. He packed his saddlebags with approximately $7,000 worth of gold and continued on to Los Angeles. Many believe it is easier to find a mine that has been lost, than to discover a new location. Two of their horses dropped of fatigue and thirst and their provisions ran out. At age 66, he went to the Superstitions alone, over the objections of his son and family. of gold. Below, in the sand of the wash, was almost a pavement of gold nuggets. (Jameson, 2009). Packing their booty onto a number of mules, they fled, heading northwest toward a remote pass through the Arizona/Mexico border. We must ask ourselves the toughest question of all -- "Do I believe there is still gold to be found in the desert?" Today, the consensus among geologists is that the Superstitions are unlikely to contain a secret gold mine. Lost Mine Road Property Records by Address. Here's the thing about the House on the Rock it's certainly a sight to behold, but it's no museum. 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. Numbers of others have tried to find the Ni**er Ben diggings, but they have not been discovered as yet. What will happen to society when AI lovers fool millions of people? The secret route to the lost Dutchman goldmine in Arizona was very simple and common sense. If the story ended there, the legend of the Lost Dutchmans gold mine would make an interesting story. The district into which the party penetrated has been thoroughly prospected during the past twenty years and contains many mines of demonstrated richness. In many versions of the story, Weaver's Needle is a prominent landmark for locating the lost mine. Who doesnt love a good mystery? Take a private tour of NYCs American Museum of Natural History from home! Superstition Mountains (in some versions they are told the location by a grateful member of the Peralta family, whose life they saved). A man named Ross Browne, in 1863, said that at the store of Hooper & Hunter in Arizona City he saw masses of pure gold as large as the palm of the hand, brought in by adventurers who stated that certain Indians had assured them that they knew places in the mountains where the surface of the ground was covered by the same kind of yellow stones. Southwest Treasure Hunters Gem & Mineral Guide: Where & How to Dig, Pan and Mine Your Own Gems & Minerals, GemStone Press, 2008. The butte was one of three, thus entering the significant landmark of three buttes in most versions of his story. A number of other people, in addition to the Peralta family, had knowledge of the mine's location. You can reach her at monica.d.spencer@gmail.com. Then in 1868, Wickenburg used his gold proceeds to fund a new project that would change Arizona history forever: The Swilling Irrigation Canal Company, conceived by ex-Confederate soldier Jack Swilling of Prescott. This wall has vertical eroded ridges resembling a pipe organ. The men searched as far as the Gila River, near San Carlos and then up to the headwaters of the Gila and back again to Fort Apache, but they had no success and still undiscovered are the ashes of an old cabin where Adams told Bell, was buried gold dust worth at least $5,000. 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. He supposedly described the mine's location to Julia Thomas, a neighbor who took care of him prior to his death. The Indians would not harm him, evidently on account of his color. Some of the stories have many versions, each containing a few facts that differ from each other. If I do believe, how can I find gold in the desert and where do I begin searching? There are hawk and dove versions, depending on whether the men behaved violently or not. In the 1870s, Jacob Waltz, "the Dutchman" (actually a native of Germany), was said to have located the mine through the aid of a Peralta descendant. Walk down Main Street, explore the many shops and historic buildings. These tales have been told by prospectors, doctors, law enforcers, rangers and by every common person who believes enough to retell the tale. This event led to the California Gold Rush, a time when gold fever plagued even the most innocent and content of men. The Lost Goldmine Trails winds for miles at the base of the Superstition Mountains. With new miners, new claims, new machines and new ways to pull gold out of the ground, the stakes are higher than ever. Attempts have been made to locate it at, The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine has been situated in four quite distinct locales. Henry Wickenburg came to Arizona in 1862. Years later, an army doctor by the name of Thorne treats an ailing Apache (possibly a chief) who as a reward takes him to the mine blindfolded, of course where he can take as much gold as he can carry. When Waltz died, the 29-year-old Thomas sold her bakery, got a group together, and went searching for the mine. Top Work + Create-to-Travel Opportunities for North American Digital Nomad Professionals. Lost mines are a popular form of lost treasure legend. Two of the most famous lost mines are the Lost Dutchman Mine of Arizona and Pegleg Smith's Mine of Southern California. In Colorado, Exploring the Worlds Longest Cave System, Washingtons Olympic Peninsula is a Natural Wonderland, UNEXPLAINED AND UNEXPLORED: Investigating the Legend of California's Gold-Laden Ghost Ship, The Bermuda Triangle Isn't Actually a Mystery, The House on the Rock Is the Tourist Trap to End All Tourist Traps, Every Year, Thousands of Glass Orbs Are Hidden on This Oregon Beach, Female Ocean Rower Attempts Record-Breaking Solo Crossing, The Explorers Club Discovery Expedition Grantees, she and her team passed over two enormous gold mines, they made it into the San Francisco Chronicle. In 1932, campers found a note from him bobbing in Arizona's Salt River. 623.934.6882 The Indian legends of sacred gold caches, and the correlating stories of many others who have, in some way, encountered black-coated gold nuggets and other supporting data of these two lost mines, provide strong evidence that they do indeed exist. Monica is a Din (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Gold fever has stricken thousands of men and women over the years. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tdich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Sign up below or read more about the DesertUSA newsletter here. As early as Sept 1, 1892, a local newspaper relates how Thomas and others were trying to locate the mine. The Vulture Mining Company was born. Finder of this note please give to Howard Peterson. Solid State Batteries Promise Long Life and Rapid Refuel Electric Vehicles, Electric vs. Hydrogen: The Pros and Cons of Greener Transportation. On the slip was the word take. The editor feared to even remain silent, for most of the letters told of the organization in eastern villages of parties of heavily-armed men to get the gold dust or die in the attempt, and there might have been dire consequences on the head of the imaginative journalist had Phoenix been reached by even one of the desperate rural eastern expeditions. The country has been thoroughly prospected since that time and mines of importance have been worked in that vicinity, but the nearest approach to the discovery of the old-time bonanza has been in the finding of placer gold in several of the gulches. The gold trail led through New Mexico, Tucson, and Yuma to California. Doc is just one of an endless stream of treasure hunters in search of the. The area is dotted with ancient cliff dwellings and caves, many showing signs of former habitation. He disappeared, as usual, one night, and never returned. 8320 Lost Mine Rd. But with the dollars decline in recent years, gold mining has experienced a sudden resurgence: From the Discovery Channels show. Was believed to be part of Pauline Weavers original exploration party that traveled along the Hassayampa.., almost demented from his sufferings, and Willing never recovered his.... In Arizona 's Salt River Herald ( later known as the Fourth of.... With some reaching more than 250 feet tall party back into the San Carlos and then to the gold... Literally so, according to the village, not knowing his direction is a (. The base of the stories of lost gold mines still lure prospectors, even today # ;. Counties for gold mining has experienced a sudden resurgence: from the discovery Channels show,... 'S Mill the previous year to discover a vein of almost pure gold in 1860s!, Miguel Peralta turned to fraud Rapid Refuel Electric Vehicles, Electric vs. Hydrogen: the and... 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