Flannigan made several unsuccessful attempts to return to the find, but he dreaded the desert and never went very far from the river. This might be the way the Peralta story became incorporated into the Lost Dutchman legend. Entrance is free. The Superstition Mountains to the east of Phoenix, AZ reportedly holda legendary motherlode of gold known as the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine. True or not, the legend of the Lost Dutchmans Gold Mine continues to fascinate the public. ), The Desert Environment About fifty pounds of this golden quartz they loaded on the remaining horse and then set out for the Gila River. Almost overnight, Arizona was inundated with would-be millionaires. The ore was not the same as that at the Vulture Mine. 8266 Lost Mine Rd. 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. The district into which the party penetrated has been thoroughly prospected during the past twenty years and contains many mines of demonstrated richness. The second legend concerns an Indian woman who was wandering about the desert in a state of dehydration. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. When he arrives in Los Angeles, he shows his friends the nuggets and organized an expedition to return to the desert to bring back more gold. By the 1860's large discoveries of gold were occurring in the Bradshaw Mountains, especially along the Hassayampa . 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. Lost Mines & Buried Treasures of Arizona by W.C. Jameson, University of New Mexico Press, 2009. To this day, both lost mines are actively sought after by old time prospectors and treasure hunters. However, the Lost Dutchman remains much discussed in Arizona. There, they spied the hat-shaped mountain, since known by the name of Sombrero Butte, and the men prospected widely through the Tonto Creek and Cherry Creek Valleys, and over the Sierra Ancha Mountains. Join DesertUSA as we continue the search for gold in the Desert. The second significant gold discovery was made by Pauline Weaver (of Weavers Needle fame) in 1862 on the Colorado River at La Paz. Lost Goldmine and Cougar Loop. Dig Here! #sedona #redrocks #outhiki, Oddball vending machines, #3 in the series. Attempts have been made to locate it at, The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine has been situated in four quite distinct locales. I had heard of a publicly declared gold excavation and panning trail in the Lynx Lake Recreational Area near Prescott and decided to investigate. They are massacred by the Apache in 1850. Then, to recoup the cost of the failed expedition, Thomas started selling maps that she claimed would lead people to the mine. You can reach her at monica.d.spencer@gmail.com. He made frequent trips into the desert whenever he needed money, always returning with black gold nuggets. One of the most popular Arizona legends also happens to be one of the most deadly: the Lost Dutchmans gold mine. 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. 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. Then, in 1891, he died . As recent as January 2011, the. The Ashleys were never able to retrace Palmers path to the ledge. There are three Indian legends of black-coated gold in the desert that support Pegleg's legend. Copyright 2007-2023 & BIG THINK, BIG THINK PLUS, SMARTER FASTER trademarks owned by Freethink Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The ingots were buried in 1891 in a hastily made, shallow excavation and, likely, only a few inches below the surface. 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. Superstition Mountains, are able to present some of it to a third party but afterwards are killed or vanish. Check out our article, 6 Disturbing Unsolved Mysteries In Arizona That Will Leave You Baffled. 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. 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. Safford commanded the recruits from Tucson and was elected commander-in-chief of the party at the camp near Grant. Arizona Gold Mining Adventure, Phoenix. 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. He was able to tell the story of the gold find, and the rescuing party went farther to find Crossthwaites body. Recommended Reading 8356 Lost Mine Rd. It was during one of Waltzs prospecting trips that he somehow discovered the location of hidden gold in the Superstitions. He claimed that he was the only survivor of a party that had found wonderful placer diggings somewhere near a hat-shaped hill over beyond the Tonto. 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. But did you know the state is also home to a 30-square-mile sand dune field? Since its early Gold Rush days, Arizona has produced in excess of 498 tons or 16 million troy ounces (ozt.) Less than a days journey from the river, the three men separated, after the horse had dropped dead. For the last 150 years, people have risked their lives to go in search of Arizonas lost gold, silver and other buried treasures. Colorado; a place we usually associate with snow-capped mountains and green grassy meadows, winter skiing, and kayaking in its clear, mirror-like lakes. Mining flourished in Gila City until 1862 when a flood destroyed the town. In 1932, campers found a note from him bobbing in Arizona's Salt River. But when his son, who worked in Mexico, found a map that might lead to an Arizona gold mine, Ruth couldn't resist. Scott Taylor/Flickr Misinformation and rumors about the mine grew so ubiquitous that in 1895, they made it into the San Francisco Chronicle. When Ashleys dad took a break to go into Phoenix on business, the young man decided to investigate a rumored lead deposit nearby. The desire for gold can be so great that it motivates men to endure unbelievable hardships including starvation, dehydration and death. Experience this 4.0-mile loop trail near Gold Canyon, Arizona. 8320 Lost Mine Rd. 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.. the old gold mining town of bisbee, az. 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. Possibly connected with the Miner tale that led Safford and his party very far afield was the lost Thorne Mine. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! In 2006, all of Arizonas gold production came as a fortuitous byproduct of copper mining. Above it were two quartz veins, one narrow and the other sixteen feet wide. 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. 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.. 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. In the winter of 1879, some trouble was stirred up among confiding tenderfeet by the publication of a story in the Phoenix Herald, printed as a fake that was plainly transparent. His partner had been killed, and he had escaped only by a miracle. It is possible that the mountain was the Harqua Hala. From Grant, they marched to the Gila River, up the San Carlos and then to the Salt River. The next find was some small heaps of very rich gold rock, probably where sacks had decayed from around the ore, and then, a short distance away was discovered a shallow prospect hole, sunk on a gold-bearing ledge. The stories of lost gold mines still lure prospectors, even today. In addition to the bank, the bandits looted the citys cathedral. After the mine became unprofitable, Miguel Peralta turned to fraud. When they failed, it is reported they sold copies of a map for $7 each. There was a Dr Thorne who had a private practice in New Mexico, however. Six Planets are Retrograde, What Does that Mean for You? Attempts have been made to locate it atleast since 1892. 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. 928.443.8000 They were friendly, and he gave her hints about the mine's location. 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. Returning down Cherry Creek, prospecting continued up the Pinto Creek and Pinal Creek Valleys. 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. A number of other people, in addition to the Peralta family, had knowledge of the mine's location. 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 . With Arizona's wild and violent past, you can bet there are quite a few that exist in our Southwestern state. McKeevers daughter, Belle, was taken captive and a number of soldiers gave chase. To help you get started on your journey, I will share with you some of the most famous legends and tales about lost mines and how they were once discovered and then lost again. the historic main street. Two of the most famous lost mines are the Lost Dutchman Mine of Arizona and Pegleg Smith's Mine of Southern California. Thorne told his story to three solders in 1858, upon which the soldiers unsuccessfully set out to find the vein. The group wandered around the desert unsuccessfully, and Pegleg ended up deserting the group and turn up later in Los Angeles. All rights reserved. He vanished into the mountains in 2009 and his body was not discovered until three years later, hidden in a . Click here to view the video Riding on Gold - Pegleg Smith. Click here. (It's Free. He died in Phoenix in 1880. Over the years, additional grants from Arizona State Parks and private developers helped build three trailheads, two parking lots . Sources: Eugene L. Conrotto, Lost Gold and Silver Mines of the Southwest, 1996; Jay Fraser, Lost Dutchman Mine Discoveries, 1988; John D. Mitchell, Lost Mines of the Great Southwest, The Rio . Roadrunner Prospectors Club, Phoenix. The soldiers dug out coarse gold by the aid of their knives. A medical examiner ruled that Ruth died of natural causes (i.e., that broken leg, plus starvation), but some maintain that he was murdered because he knew too much about the legendary mine. New Evidence About the Lost Dutchman Mine #scotland #sanquhar #magi, Townspeople probably think Im a witch. One of the best authenticated of these stories was of the Lost Soldier Mine. The story has had little embellishment and, in part, may be true. 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. Many prospectors and historians wonder why he did not go back to the desert and search for the butte where he discovered the gold. Of course, most of these tales were merely inventions or distorted dreams. None of these maps featured any real location of the mine. 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 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. His body and supplies were found in the mountains; the mine was, of course, not, though the area near his corpse was intensively searched. Lost Cities & Ancient Mysteries of the Southwest by David Hatcher Childress, Adventures Unlimited Press, 2009. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. They build files which contain details, bits and pieces of a legend so old and peculiar, they cannot rest until the mystery is solved. It's one of the mine's few concrete objects, and it read: "I'm sitting under a tree in a creek with leg broke. When they arrived; however, the chief would show him no further, seemingly being struck by some religious compunctions he hadnt thought of before. If only it were that easy. Learn how your comment data is processed. He reportedly said it came from a secret mine in the Superstition Mountains. The differences are evident in the variance of descriptive landmarks, dates, and historical information. Up to8,000 people each year go hunting for a legendary gold mine, guided by cryptic maps like these. He argued that each of these three legends contains some truth, but have become badly distorted through time. Nearby, was a human skeleton, bleached from long exposure. One story describes the journey of a discharged soldier who followed Pegleg's trail from Yuma to Los Angeles. #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? After his leg was amputated, his friends fashioned him a wooden leg, thus earning him the name Pegleg. of gold. Basin. Most of the stories of lost mines had to them an Indian annex. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. It was against the tribal law and beliefs of the Apaches to tell others where the gold was located. When the mines closed, the towns died, and their remains have become ghost towns and tourist attractions. It is said that more men have sought Pegleg's black nuggets than any other lost mine. Come and visit Goldfield Ghost Town today! In 2006, all of Arizonas gold production came as a fortuitous byproduct of copper mining. 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.. Related Books & Gifts - Trading Post He gathered the black pebbles thinking they were copper and carried them to Los Angeles where he later discovered they were gold. Rich Hill was the single richest discovery of gold in one place. 8338 Lost Mine Rd. 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. 30-Square-Mile sand dune field are able to present some of it to a 30-square-mile sand dune?... Of soldiers gave chase of the failed expedition, Thomas started selling maps she! 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