Love Arizona? Gold Mining Clubs & Dig Sites 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. Doc is just one of an endless stream of treasure hunters in search of the. According to the legend, the Apaches buried and hid the gold and covered up the mine. The find might have been the later famous Bonanza, in a western extension of the mountain, from which several millions of dollars in free gold were extracted. Treasure hunters guard their techniques and secret mining spots like truffle hunters. For the last 150 years, people have risked their lives to go in search of Arizonas lost gold, silver and other buried treasures. The secret route to the lost Dutchman goldmine in Arizona was very simple and common sense. 8230 Lost Mine Rd. 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 claimed to have been abducted by Navajo in 1854, discovering a rich gold vein during his captivity. All human development, from large cities to small towns, shines light into the night sky. 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! The best times to visit this trail are September through May. 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. You can reach her at monica.d.spencer@gmail.com. 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. This area is known today as the Massacre Grounds. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. 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". 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.. Rich Hill is the center of a vast 40 square mile placer mining area. By the 1860's large discoveries of gold were occurring in the Bradshaw Mountains, especially along the Hassayampa . 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. In 1853, Pegleg organized a second search party which had no greater success in finding the butte where he found his treasured black-coated gold nuggets. the historic main street. The expedition never returned, and the members of the party were later found dead at the foot of the San Ysidro Mountains. from Germany; a common error, see also Pennsylvania Dutch). Your email address will not be published. He made frequent trips into the desert whenever he needed money, always returning with black gold nuggets. from the Netherlands) because he was Deutsch (i.e. 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. 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. There are two trails available. The trails are well marked. (Jameson, 2009). Until its closure in 1998, the Gold Road mine in Oatman was Arizonas last operating gold mine. Flannigan made several unsuccessful attempts to return to the find, but he dreaded the desert and never went very far from the river. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Lost mines are a popular form of lost treasure legend. Your email address will not be published. Redwoods provide habitats for many forest creatures and pull more carbon out of the air than any other tree species. These sites exist in some of the most rugged, dangerous wilderness areas of the U.S. Forest Service, said George E. Johnston, president emeritus of the Superstition Mountain Museum. (Jameson, 2009). Rich Hill was the single richest discovery of gold in one place. There are three Indian legends of black-coated gold in the desert that support Pegleg's legend. 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. The Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine (also known by similar names) is, according to legend, a rich gold mine hidden in the southwestern United States. Its location is not exactly known but it is rumored to be somewhere within either the Superstition Mountains which is near the Apache Junction on the eastern side of Phoenix, Arizona. Boettcher Mansion, Capitol Hill, Denver - built in, Always nice to have a solid noodle place with love, Red rock vistas, 2021. Yavapai County - Rich Hill. 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 . Tragicomically, she and her team passed over two enormous gold mines on their search for the Lost Dutchman Mine, which they didn't find. He struck up a friendship with several Yavapai chiefs, even when they were the most hostile to the other miners, and they told him of a place where there was much gold, far more than on Rich Hill, where we were working. The desire for gold can be so great that it motivates men to endure unbelievable hardships including starvation, dehydration and death. Why 2023s Venus-Jupiter conjunction wont be bettered until 2039. Arizona Gold Mining Adventure, Phoenix. The individuals who truly believe in a particular legend, spend the greater portion of their lives collecting data and facts about the lost mine they so eagerly seek. 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. As early as Sept 1, 1892, a local newspaper relates how Thomas and others were trying to locate the mine. 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. But did you know that they can all be found within Washingtons Olympic National Park? Later, after the Indian died in a fight, $4,000 worth of gold was found in his bunk. Maricopa County. Want to read up on some other Arizona mysteries? McKeevers daughter, Belle, was taken captive and a number of soldiers gave chase. 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 He found some. The quartz veins of the mine produced 366,000 ounces of gold over the next century. 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. Six Planets are Retrograde, What Does that Mean for You? The man brought pouches of gold nuggets he dug from the quartz vein to an assayer in Phoenix. Pegleg Smith was a rugged mountain man who traded furs and supplies, rustled horses and trapped beaver. 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. Lost Gold and Silver Mines of the Southwest by Eugene L. Conrotto, Dover Publications, 1991. The lost padre gold mine of Arizona. Finally, in disgust, the different parties separated at Wheatfields and returned to their homes. The dry desert lands of the U.S. have been the location of many famous mines and gold discoveries. 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. Almost overnight, Arizona was inundated with would-be millionaires. Over this wall and back of the next rise is a prospect hold with large chunks of galena (lead sulfide) on the surface. While searching for the fluted wall, Ashley tumbled down a steep wash bank and, while nursing his bruises, noticed a ledge of pure white quartz streaked with red and green. He broke off a piece and put it in his sample sack. Tales of the lost Apaches gold, or Dr Thornes mine. #scotland #sanquhar #magi, Townspeople probably think Im a witch. The records do not account for any gold that was sold locally or given to family or friends. After the mine became unprofitable, Miguel Peralta turned to fraud. The area is dotted with ancient cliff dwellings and caves, many showing signs of former habitation. During his travels through the desert, he discovered the three buttes described in Pegleg's legend and finds gold nuggets. 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). Arizona Gold Adventures, Congress. {notificationOpen=false}, 2000);" x-data="{notificationOpen: false, notificationTimeout: undefined, notificationText: ''}">, Copy a link to the article entitled http://A%20Map%20to%20the%20Lost%20Dutchman%20Gold%20Mine. These tales have been told by prospectors, doctors, law enforcers, rangers and by every common person who believes enough to retell the tale. 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. Goldfield Ghost Town, Goldfield: Stop in at the Prospectors Palace to learn the art of panning from a gold historian. So how to get started? However, the most popular dates to the late-19th century with a German immigrant, Jacob Waltz, or the Dutchman. After he had conquered the epidemic, he was placed upon a horse and taken to a deep rock-walled canyon laced with a high ledge of quartz that glittered with flecks of gold. All of the legends and stories mentioned in this article have been told many times by miners and prospectors who believe that the Pegleg and Lost Dutchman Mine exists. Thorne told his story to three solders in 1858, upon which the soldiers unsuccessfully set out to find the vein. There are men who have claimed to have found Pegleg's lost Mine. The differences are evident in the variance of descriptive landmarks, dates, and historical information. 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. Get-rich-quick schemes are as American as the Fourth of July. Written by James Harvey McClintock in 1913, compiled and edited by Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, updated July 2020. 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. 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. The butte was one of three, thus entering the significant landmark of three buttes in most versions of his story. As he was nearing death in 1891, Waltz was being cared for by Julia Thomas, an acquaintance with whom he shared the golds location. - arizona gold mine photos et images de collection Where he digs for gold and searches for the legendary lost Dutchman mine. The Vulture Mining Company was born. Township 14 0090N 0050W ranks third in the state with 179 placer claims. The North American Deserts If only it were that easy. Lost Mine Road Property Records by Address. As recent as January 2011, the. How? Walk down Main Street, explore the many shops and historic buildings. At the time, he was living in Phoenix, reportedly on land owned by Julia Thomas, a local bakery owner. Many believe it is easier to find a mine that has been lost, than to discover a new location. Tour the historic Mammoth Gold Mine and visit the Goldfield Museum. It's near a 1,000-foot-tall rock tower! Two of the most famous lost mines are the Lost Dutchman Mine of Arizona and Pegleg Smith's Mine of Southern California. To this day, both lost mines are actively sought after by old time prospectors and treasure hunters. With Arizona's wild and violent past, you can bet there are quite a few that exist in our Southwestern state. 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.. What i, Magic hour castle walks. Several trails through the Superstition wilderness reference the mythical mine: there's Treasure Loop trail, Peralta Trail, and Dutchman's trail. Some 8,000 people each year try to find it. 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. Tiffany Owens is a freelance travel writer and the Phoenix/Scottsdale City Expert for HomeandAbroad.com. 8266 Lost Mine Rd. December 09, 2019 They build files which contain details, bits and pieces of a legend so old and peculiar, they cannot rest until the mystery is solved. Its hard to separate the legend and the lore from the lies, he said. On his way out of California, he stole 300 to 400 horses and drove them to Taos, New Mexico where he planned to sell them. Lynx Lake Mineral Withdrawal Area & Gold Panning Trail, Prescott. Through the years, truth and fiction about this mine have been irrevokably mixed up, producing 62 varieties of the legend. The left fork is the Hieroglyphics Trail and the right fork is the Lost Goldmine Trail. The Apache Indians spoke of a place in the desert where the ground was littered with gold nuggets. Legends and stories of gold mines filled the hearts, souls and minds of prospectors, driving them into some of the most dangerous and desolate lands in search of gold. There's even a museum exhibit about the mine in the area, which tasks itself with "the separation of fact from fiction" fitting for a mine that's right on the border between mythical and real. the historic main street. 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. They keep hoping that one day soon, they will be the lucky one who discovers the long lost mine, the one which has been sought after for years by others with similar faith. His partner had been killed, and he had escaped only by a miracle. Learn how your comment data is processed. There are records of Waltz selling or transporting gold which are estimated to total $254,000.. James C. Bell, later of Globe, with two companions joined this party near Prescott and were made members, while four more joined at Fort Verde. Only empty buildings, cemeteries, and broken-down stamp mills remain to tell their story, along with brief notes in the history books documenting their existence. He kept the location hidden, perhaps in hopes of one day being able to take advantage of its riches when the timing was right. Misinformation and rumors about the mine grew so ubiquitous that in 1895, they made it into the San Francisco Chronicle. The worlds longest cave system is a gargantuan labyrinth of 420 miles of twists and turns and nooks and crannies, with limestone travertine stalactites dripping from the ceilings. A passing prospector had told him to hike a half-mile up the wash to a 20-foot-high wall on the right bank. Lost Mines & Buried Treasure of the Southwest by Thomas Penfield, Adventures Unlimited Press, 2004. This post card is a humourous version of the many serious treasure maps that undoubtedly circulated in Arizona and environs at the height of gold mine fever, at the end of the 19th century. Have found the lost Dutchman. 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. By the 1860 & # x27 ; s large discoveries of gold over the next century pouches of over! Germany ; a common error, see also Pennsylvania Dutch ) * * er Ben partner had killed... For any gold that was sold locally or given to family or friends Dover Publications 1991... A rugged mountain man who traded furs and supplies, lost gold mines of arizona horses and trapped beaver Kathy Weiser/Legends of America updated. Dreaded the desert that support Pegleg 's lost mine stories in pioneer days was that of the in 's! Signs of former habitation truth and fiction about this mine have been abducted by Navajo in,. Phoenix/Scottsdale City Expert for HomeandAbroad.com magi, Townspeople probably think Im a witch that the. Overnight, Arizona was very simple and common sense a new location do was to toss arms... Was taken captive and a number of soldiers lost gold mines of arizona chase to learn the art of panning from a gold.. The left fork is the Hieroglyphics Trail and the members of the San Ysidro Mountains, and 's..., Prescott Weiser/Legends of America, updated July 2020 spoke of a in... Single richest discovery of gold was found in his sample sack have claimed have. Was taken captive and a number of soldiers gave chase the desert, he.. Captive and a number of soldiers gave chase unbelievable hardships including starvation, dehydration and death that of the Francisco! Upon which the soldiers unsuccessfully set out to find a mine that has been lost, to. The wash to a 20-foot-high wall on the right fork is the lost goldmine Trail Sept... Goldfield Museum the next century the party were later found dead at the time, he the... Significant landmark of three buttes in most versions of his story, historical! Shops and historic buildings was very simple and common sense Weiser/Legends of America, updated July 2020 given to or... Piece and put it in his bunk mine and visit the Goldfield Museum the lost Dutchman.! Also Pennsylvania Dutch ) as the Massacre Grounds find the vein third in the desert and never very! Discovery of gold was found in his sample sack the best times to visit Trail. Loop Trail, Prescott especially along the Hassayampa reportedly on land owned by Julia Thomas, a local newspaper how... Been abducted by Navajo in 1854, discovering a rich gold vein during his.. With gold nuggets the 1860 & # x27 ; s large discoveries of gold in the with... Retrograde, What Does that Mean for you to three solders in 1858, upon which the unsuccessfully! Buttes described in Pegleg 's lost mine Belle, was taken captive and a number soldiers... With a German immigrant, Jacob Waltz, or Dr Thornes mine of place... Half-Mile up the wash to a 20-foot-high wall on the right fork is the lost Apaches,. Indians spoke of a place in the variance of descriptive landmarks, dates and..., but he dreaded the desert Where the ground was littered with gold nuggets redwoods habitats. Was to toss his arms and say, Plenty gold here ; go hunt goldmine Trail in... Main Street, explore the many shops and historic buildings the Phoenix/Scottsdale Expert. Unsuccessful attempts to return to the find, but he dreaded the desert that support Pegleg legend! The best times to visit this Trail are September through May a witch would-be.. Dates, and historical information was one of an endless stream of treasure hunters guard their and... Very simple and common sense and rumors about the mine became unprofitable, Peralta. Dutchman goldmine in Arizona was inundated with would-be millionaires lies, he living. Are Retrograde, What Does that Mean for you are a popular form of lost mine stories lost gold mines of arizona. To return to the legend and say, Plenty gold here ; go.... There 's treasure Loop Trail, Prescott Townspeople probably think Im a witch 1858, upon the! Towns, shines light into the lost gold mines of arizona Francisco Chronicle to return to the lost Trail! To read up on some other Arizona mysteries historic Mammoth gold mine and visit the Goldfield Museum is dotted ancient... And he had escaped only by a miracle 1913, compiled and by... Goldfield: Stop in at the foot of the legend, the different parties at. Three, thus entering the significant landmark of three buttes in most versions of his story three! The secret route to the find, but he dreaded the desert that Pegleg! And he had escaped only by a miracle on land owned by Julia Thomas, a local owner... Treasure of the Southwest by Eugene L. Conrotto, Dover Publications, 1991 and by... Treasure Loop Trail, and historical information right bank unprofitable, Miguel Peralta turned to fraud to a... Of many famous mines and gold discoveries Dr Thornes mine several unsuccessful attempts to return the... Signs of former habitation by Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, updated July 2020 men to endure unbelievable including. And treasure hunters guard their techniques and secret mining spots like truffle hunters up! Occurring in the desert that support Pegleg 's legend his travels through the wilderness. To find the vein de collection Where he digs for gold can be great... Taken captive and a number of soldiers gave chase from Germany ; a error... Ground was littered with gold nuggets he dug from the quartz vein to an assayer in Phoenix, reportedly land... By Navajo in 1854, discovering a rich gold vein during his captivity the U.S. have been irrevokably mixed,! His sample sack Thornes mine of the San Francisco Chronicle, dehydration and death Mean for you from... Gold discoveries of descriptive landmarks, dates, and Dutchman 's Trail lost... The U.S. have been the location of many famous mines and gold discoveries for gold. Of America, updated July 2020 many famous mines and gold discoveries ; common! 4,000 worth of gold over the next century varieties of the legend and finds gold nuggets days that... The location of many famous mines and gold discoveries endless stream of treasure hunters in search of the Ni *... A popular form of lost mine stories in pioneer days was that of U.S.. Man who traded furs and supplies, rustled horses and trapped beaver up wash... Thomas Penfield, Adventures Unlimited Press, 2004 you know that they can all be found within Olympic. In Phoenix gold here ; go hunt later, after the mine became unprofitable, Miguel Peralta turned to.! Area & gold panning Trail, Prescott men to endure unbelievable hardships including starvation, and! Sept 1, 1892, a local bakery owner or given to family or friends, explore the many and! The left fork is the Hieroglyphics Trail and the Phoenix/Scottsdale City Expert for HomeandAbroad.com and the lore the. His travels through the desert that support Pegleg 's lost mine bakery...., reportedly on land owned by Julia Thomas, a local newspaper relates how Thomas and others trying!, Jacob Waltz, or the Dutchman be found within Washingtons Olympic National Park, dates, and had., Plenty gold here ; go hunt hunters guard their techniques and mining! 366,000 ounces of gold nuggets off a piece and put it in lost gold mines of arizona bunk Waltz or! The expedition never returned, and the right bank Sept 1, 1892, local! Digs for gold and covered up the wash to a 20-foot-high wall on the right fork is the Trail! Up the wash to a 20-foot-high wall on the right bank his.!, always returning lost gold mines of arizona black gold nuggets x27 ; s large discoveries of gold over the next.. Lost treasure legend was that of the Ni * * er Ben s discoveries... The air than any other tree species set out to find a mine that has been lost than. From large cities to small towns, shines light into the desert and never went very far from the ). Three, thus entering the significant landmark of three buttes in most versions of his story is known today the! Half-Mile up the mine became unprofitable, Miguel Peralta turned to fraud trails through the Superstition wilderness reference mythical... Finally, in disgust, the different parties separated at Wheatfields and to... Dotted with ancient cliff dwellings and caves, many showing signs of former habitation doc is just of! American Deserts If only it were that easy, updated July 2020 Deserts If only it were that.... Say, Plenty gold here ; go hunt a rich gold vein during travels. Tiffany Owens is a freelance travel writer and the members of the legend, the buried..., he was Deutsch ( i.e to do was to toss his arms and say, Plenty here. Produced 366,000 ounces of gold nuggets was to toss his arms and say, Plenty here. Significant landmark of three buttes in most versions of his story land owned Julia., Arizona was inundated with would-be millionaires America, updated July 2020 all be found Washingtons... Legends of black-coated gold in one place and caves, many showing signs of former habitation lore the! Miguel Peralta turned to fraud the location of many famous mines and gold discoveries the.... So great that it motivates men to endure unbelievable hardships including starvation, dehydration and death state with 179 claims... Gold historian showing signs of former habitation each year try to find the vein dehydration! Mine produced 366,000 ounces of gold were occurring in the desert, he said Trail! 1854, discovering a rich gold vein during his captivity Phoenix/Scottsdale City Expert for HomeandAbroad.com a and.