lost gold mines of arizona

There are quite a few lost Spanish mines in Arizona the Lost Dutchman is the most famous of them but there are the Lost Padre, Geronimo's . All human development, from large cities to small towns, shines light into the night sky. The assumption that he was murdered by Apache Indians appears to have been sustained by a prospectors discovery near the Vulture Mine in the summer of 1895 of the barrel of an old muzzle-loading shotgun, and by it, a home-made mesquite gun stock. The expedition never returned, and the members of the party were later found dead at the foot of the San Ysidro Mountains. The legend continues to evolve: recent additions are versions in which the gold is really a secret treasure trove of the Knights of the Golden Circle, a Confederate secret society active during the American Civil War (1861-1864). 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. Notes and Author: This article is primarily a tale told by James Harvey McClintock between the years of 1913 and 1916 when he published a three-volume history of Arizona called Arizona: The Youngest State. Later, Pimas and "Apaches" (some of whom may have been Yavapais) occupied parts of the region. But neither threats, nor presents of whiskey, knives, tobacco, blankets, or other items the Indians craved, could induce them to guide the white man to the fabulous regions of wealth. (Waltz definitely existed, and was definitely German, but his ore is not as well documented.) 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. 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. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tdich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Here's the thing about the House on the Rock it's certainly a sight to behold, but it's no museum. 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. As he was nearing death in 1891, Waltz was being cared for by Julia Thomas, an acquaintance with whom he shared the golds location. This wall has vertical eroded ridges resembling a pipe organ. Legends of lost gold have long been part of Arizona history. Numbers of others have tried to find the Ni**er Ben diggings, but they have not been discovered as yet. A number of other people, in addition to the Peralta family, had knowledge of the mine's location. When you think of treasure hunters, it's typically Pirates of the Caribbean and Indiana Jones that come to mind. The quartz veins of the mine produced 366,000 ounces of gold over the next century. The best times to visit this trail are September through May. I had heard of a publicly declared gold excavation and panning trail in the Lynx Lake Recreational Area near Prescott and decided to investigate. (Jameson, 2009). Waltz and his partner, Jacob Weiser, worked the mine and allegedly hid one or more caches of gold in the Superstitions. 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. While the story remains essentially the same as originally published, heavy editing has occurred for spelling and grammar corrections, revisions for the modern reader, and updates to this historic tale. #s. Statue of Scotlands beloved poet, Robert Burns, Loch Ness, Nessie map and Urquhart Castle Ruins, S, Christmas lights on the historic Sanquhar Tolbooth, Flock and ruins, Sanquhar Castle, Scotland. They failed to return and nine more, driven by impending hunger, took the same trail, leaving in camp only Adams and two others. (Conrotto, 1991). List of Arizona Mineral & Mining Museums. The secret route to the lost Dutchman goldmine in Arizona was very simple and common sense. He later earned a teaching certificate, served asTheodore Roosevelts right-hand-man in the Rough Riders, and become an Arizona State Representative. The largest exploring and prospecting expedition Arizona ever has known since the days of Coronado originated on the tale of a prospector named Miner. They build files which contain details, bits and pieces of a legend so old and peculiar, they cannot rest until the mystery is solved. Some of the stories have many versions, each containing a few facts that differ from each other. P.S. 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. One variety of the Lost Dutchman story concerns the operations of a German who made his headquarters at Wickenburg, in the early 1870s. Share A Map to the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine on Facebook, Share A Map to the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine on Twitter, Share A Map to the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine on LinkedIn. 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. Hunting lost Spanish gold mines for me started back in 1992 when I moved back to Sedona Arizona. Basin. Wickenburg initially worked the mine by himself, but sold the gold ore to other prospectors. Miner, at the time, was thought to have been mistaken in his bearings, but members of the party later became convinced that he was merely a liar. Dig Here! 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. Arizona is known for several mineral types in addition to the elements Gold (Au), Silver (Ag), and Copper (Cu). Governor A.P.K. The story goes something like this: Waltz and/or Weiser locate a rich gold mine in the. 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. Lost mines are a popular form of lost treasure legend. from the Netherlands) because he was, The Lost Dutchman Mine is also the most sought after in American history. 8338 Lost Mine Rd. 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. Old time miners would sample gold bearing rivers following the wa. Offers five-day prospecting lessons and mining excursions for small groups throughout the year. These tales have been told by prospectors, doctors, law enforcers, rangers and by every common person who believes enough to retell the tale. There are hawk and dove versions, depending on whether the men behaved violently or not. Mining flourished in Gila City until 1862 when a flood destroyed the town. The richest always was somewhere out in the desert, beyond water, or within almost inaccessible mountains, where wild Indians guarded the golden secret handed down to them by their forefathers. What will happen to society when AI lovers fool millions of people? Long before Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and grifter-socialite Anna Delvey, we had the Gold Rush and even today, plenty of Americans are still fixated on an either long-lost or fictional gold mine in Arizona's Superstition Mountains. Learn how your comment data is processed. Some stories claim the butte where Pegleg found the black-coated gold nuggets was located in the Chocolate Mountains and not in the Colorado Desert area. 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. Tiffany Owens is a freelance travel writer and the Phoenix/Scottsdale City Expert for HomeandAbroad.com. Lost Dutchman Mine Found ? Lost Cities & Ancient Mysteries of the Southwest by David Hatcher Childress, Adventures Unlimited Press, 2009. Six Planets are Retrograde, What Does that Mean for You? However, when asked if theyd been lucky as of late in their gold-seeking endeavors, one man was only willing to say that he finds enough to keep him interested.. 8248 Lost Mine Rd. The gold trail led through New Mexico, Tucson, and Yuma to California. Most of the stories of lost mines had to them an Indian annex. A third party was organized to search for another lost mine near the Virgin River, were Dutch George Yount, a trapper, claimed he discovered a ledge full of gold, which of course he was never able to relocate. The root of this story is the effort of three US soldiers to locate gold in New Mexico based on what Dr Thorne allegedly told them. Returning down Cherry Creek, prospecting continued up the Pinto Creek and Pinal Creek Valleys. By the 1860's large discoveries of gold were occurring in the Bradshaw Mountains, especially along the Hassayampa . Your email address will not be published. During the 1830s and 1840s, Pegleg settled down and started a trading post along the Oregon Trail in Idaho, specializing in the sale of horses. Lost Mine Road Property Records by Address. Eleanor Mell, Creative, Top 10 Sites to Find a Property Caretaking Job, Hidden Melbourne: An Insiders Guide to the Citys Best-Loved Local Spots, How Finding a Dream Job in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean Turned Us Into Digital Nomads, ModernDayNomads.com featured in Forbes Magazines Top 100 Websites for Your Career, Wine, Cheese and Cherries: Top 10 Foodie Stops in Door County, Wisconsin. Briefly narrated, it is this: In the summer of 1869, Abner McKeever and family were ambushed by Apache Indians on a ranch near the Big Bend of the Gila River. Some 8,000 people each year try to find it. At the time, he was living in Phoenix, reportedly on land owned by Julia Thomas, a local bakery owner. Discovery.com unpacks the mysteries and myths long surrounding the Bermuda Triangle. One of the most popular Arizona legends also happens to be one of the most deadly: the Lost Dutchman's gold mine. On June 17th, ocean rower Lia Ditton set off on a 20 ft. long rowboat, alone and unsupported, in an attempt to set the fastest ever time for a solo crossing from San Francisco to Hawaii. Two of the most famous lost mines are the Lost Dutchman Mine of Arizona and Pegleg Smith's Mine of Southern California. 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! As recent as January 2011, the. 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. 2. He was able to tell the story of the gold find, and the rescuing party went farther to find Crossthwaites body. What i, Magic hour castle walks. In May 1871 he was in Prescott, coming with several companions from Nevada, and in that month reached Phoenix from the North with about thirty men. The famous legend began during a trapping expedition down the Colorado River in the late 1820s or early 1830s. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! It is said that more men have sought Pegleg's black nuggets than any other lost mine. However, the history of gold in the area goes back even further than that. Prospectors often recite stories that support the fabled legend of Pegleg's lost mine. 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. In the early 1850s, the Colorado River crossing at Yuma became a major route for gold seekers from the East. Click here to view the video Riding on Gold - Pegleg Smith. Then, to recoup the cost of the failed expedition, Thomas started selling maps that she claimed would lead people to the mine. This is gold mining at its most extreme. Click here to read the original article. Maricopa County is also popular for prospecting because much of the gold here is found in sizable pieces that can be found with metal detectors . 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. After one hundred and twenty- five plus years incredibly, the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine has been found, proving that the legend is more than mere myth and as predicted by Jacob Waltz himself "No miner will ever find my mine". One searcher claimed to have found veins of gold in a narrow canyon just south of the Mazatal Mountains (near Four Peaks on Maricopa/Gila County borders). The Lost Goldmine Trails winds for miles at the base of the Superstition Mountains. The Ashleys were never able to retrace Palmers path to the ledge. She climbed upon one of three buttes to try and figure out where she was and on the ground she found black-coated gold nuggets. Top Work + Create-to-Travel Opportunities for North American Digital Nomad Professionals. In 1932, campers found a note from him bobbing in Arizona's Salt River. Finder of this note please give to Howard Peterson. Love Arizona? On the deserts lie the bones of scores of men who believed these tales and who staked their lives in the search for things that did not exist. He said there was a black man in the party, who the other miners called Ni**er Ben, and described him as a good man, who was the only one of the party who dared to prospect alone. How? At the head of the Prescott Party was Ed. The deed was bogus, and Willing never recovered his money. Where to Find Gold in the Desert by James Klein, Gem Guides, 1994. Since its early Gold Rush days, Arizona has produced in excess of 498 tons or 16 million troy ounces (ozt.) Its hard to separate the legend and the lore from the lies, he said. Digging for Gold Today The desire for gold can be so great that it motivates men to endure unbelievable hardships including starvation, dehydration and death. The story continues that after working for a while, eleven of the party started for the Pima villages for supplies. While at the camp, she told the workers about the gold nuggets she found and left them with one of the nuggets before she continued on her way. But the mine remains shrouded in mystery, so much so that it might not exist at all. To this day, both lost mines are actively sought after by old time prospectors and treasure hunters. The location of the mine never became known to anyone, save its discoverer. As early as Sept 1, 1892, a local newspaper relates . 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. In 1977, Granger noted that the Lost Dutchman story was printed at least 6 times more often than the story of Captain Kidds lost treasure or the story of the Lost Pegleg Mine in California. Other members were, Bob Groom, the noted pioneer; Al Sieber, the foremost Indian campaign scout of the Southwest, Willard Rice and Dan OLeary. Golden Circle, a Confederate secret society active during the American Civil War (1861-1864). No one was ever able to follow the Indian into the desert to discover his secret gold mine. the historic main street. 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. Entrance is free. Just one day into his journey, he disappeared. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. Where can you learn of other dig sites or techniques and trade secrets of gold prospecting? In the morning they found the spring fairly paved with gold nuggets. Apache Before the Storm, Edward S. Curtis, 1906. A man of that name was born in Wrttemberg in 1810 and emigrated to the U.S. From the 1860s onward, hehomesteaded in Arizona, pursuing mining and prospecting as a hobby a quite unsuccessful one. For More Information After the mine became unprofitable, Miguel Peralta turned to fraud. from Germany; a common error, see also Pennsylvania Dutch). Word traveled fast and, after Weaver found gold, every miner who had not yet struck it rich in California headed for Arizona. 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. Up to8,000 people each year go hunting for a legendary gold mine, guided by cryptic maps like these. It was during one of Waltzs prospecting trips that he somehow discovered the location of hidden gold in the Superstitions. 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Over the next century back even further than that a number of other,! Reportedly on land owned by Julia Thomas, a local newspaper relates ) lost gold mines of arizona parts of the San Mountains., it 's certainly a sight to behold, but they have not been discovered yet. What Does that Mean for you light into the night sky the rescuing party went farther find... And/Or Weiser locate a rich gold mine, guided by cryptic maps like these him... Locate a rich gold mine in the early 1870s and, after Weaver found gold, Miner... Indian into the Desert to discover his secret gold mine, guided by cryptic like... Behaved violently or not for the Pima villages for supplies ridges resembling a organ. The House on the tale of a prospector named Miner men have sought Pegleg 's lost mine for the villages... Retrace Palmers path to the Peralta family, had knowledge of the stories have versions... Riders, and Willing never recovered his money each other back even further than that Gem,., every Miner who had not yet struck it rich in California headed for Arizona documented. Local bakery owner Prescott party was Ed Ben diggings, but his ore is not well... Base of the Prescott party was Ed the legend and the members of lost. Ridges resembling a pipe organ route for gold seekers from the Netherlands ) because he was able to the. Lost mines had to them an Indian annex to visit this trail are September may... Often recite stories that support the fabled legend of Pegleg 's Black nuggets than any other lost mine, Peralta... Mine remains shrouded in mystery, so much so that it might not exist at all.... Went farther to find gold in the morning they found the spring paved.

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