lost gold mines of arizona

Click here to view the video Riding on Gold - Pegleg Smith. 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. The North American Deserts Ed Schieffelin, who discovered the Tombstone mines, would later search diligently for the lost mine, but if he found it, he never told. Flannigan made several unsuccessful attempts to return to the find, but he dreaded the desert and never went very far from the river. Colorado; a place we usually associate with snow-capped mountains and green grassy meadows, winter skiing, and kayaking in its clear, mirror-like lakes. (Conrotto, 1991). Quite literally so, according to Southwestern Folklore author and researcher Byrd Granger. Jakob Waltz was nicknamed Dutch (i.e. Stories abound of riches buried by Spanish explorers or Native Americans, as well as tales of precious ore pulled from mines whose . of gold. What i, Magic hour castle walks. While on the butte, she saw a railroad construction camp where she was given water, food and time to rest. Thank you! Wickenburg initially worked the mine by himself, but sold the gold ore to other prospectors. All human development, from large cities to small towns, shines light into the night sky. Rich Hill was the single richest discovery of gold in one place. Another Lost Soldier Mine was found by a scouting soldier from old Fort Grant in the hills north of the Gila River, not very far from the mouth of the San Pedro. 623.934.6882 Later, Pimas and "Apaches" (some of whom may have been Yavapais) occupied parts of the region. The expedition never returned, and the members of the party were later found dead at the foot of the San Ysidro Mountains. (Jameson, 2009). Tragicomically, she and her team passed over two enormous gold mines on their search for the Lost Dutchman Mine, which they didn't find. Additionally, there never was an army doctor named Thorne in the 1860s in Arizona. He would return at night, in equally as mysterious a manner, his burros loaded with gold ore of wonderful richness. This is a popular trail for hiking and mountain biking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Taking some of the horseflesh with them, they struck northerly, seeking water in what is supposed to have been the Granite Wash range of mountains in Northern Yuma County. Waltz fell ill and died in 1891, but not before revealing the location of an alleged gold mine to Julia Thomas, the neighbour who cared for him. The deed was bogus, and Willing never recovered his money. 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. Who doesnt love a good mystery? $15,000 of gold was found under his bed after he died. 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. In the late 1800s, just after the Gold Rush, a German prospector named Jacob Waltz reportedly started showing up in Phoenix with a lot of gold ore. Like, a noteworthy amount. According to the legend, the Apaches buried and hid the gold and covered up the mine. The Scenic Drive To Roosevelt Dam In Arizona Is Almost As Beautiful As The Destination Itself, This Enchanting And Historic Town In Arizona Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination, Once Abandoned And Left To Decay, The The Professional Building In Arizona Has Been Restored To Its Former Glory, The Afternoon Tea At This Arizona Resort Will Transport Your Taste Buds Across The Pond, The Mystery of The Lost Dutchmans Mine In Arizona Still Baffles People Today, 6 Disturbing Unsolved Mysteries In Arizona That Will Leave You Baffled, This Ride Through An Old Mine In Arizona Will Take You Back In Time, This Abandoned Copper Mine In Arizona Is Hiding A Fascinating Secret. The stories of lost gold mines still lure prospectors, even today. When they arrived; however, the chief would show him no further, seemingly being struck by some religious compunctions he hadnt thought of before. This wall has vertical eroded ridges resembling a pipe organ. There are hawk and dove versions, depending on whether the men behaved violently or not. Pegleg, also known as Thomas Smith, lost his leg to an arrow during a trapping expedition in the fall of 1827. With Arizona's wild and violent past, you can bet there are quite a few that exist in our Southwestern state. The body of one "dutch hunter" (as they are known to locals) was found in the Superstition Mountains as recently as 2012. At age 66, he went to the Superstitions alone, over the objections of his son and family. Want to read more travel articles from MDN? When the mines closed, the towns died, and their remains have become ghost towns and tourist attractions. 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. He supposedly described the mine's location to Julia Thomas, a neighbor who took care of him prior to his death. However, the most popular dates to the late-19th century with a German immigrant, Jacob Waltz, or the Dutchman. In those days, mining exploration often went hand in hand with slavery. Tiffany Owens is a freelance travel writer and the Phoenix/Scottsdale City Expert for HomeandAbroad.com. It's near a 1,000-foot-tall rock tower! The Vulture Mining Company was born. Digging for Gold Today In the coastal town of Lincoln City, Oregon, beachcombers flock to the sand in hopes of finding one very specific treasure: glass fishing floats. from the Netherlands) because he was, The Lost Dutchman Mine is also the most sought after in American history. Click here to read the original article. Entrance is free. 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. One story describes the journey of a discharged soldier who followed Pegleg's trail from Yuma to Los Angeles. He made frequent trips into the desert whenever he needed money, always returning with black gold nuggets. 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. Prospectors often recite stories that support the fabled legend of Pegleg's lost mine. To keep up with the pace of change, organizations that havent already can benefit greatly from exploring skills-based training. After his leg was amputated, his friends fashioned him a wooden leg, thus earning him the name Pegleg. Gold miners Dakota Fred and his son Dustin are determined to make a fortune no matter the risk. Many legends of lost treasure from Arizonas early Gold Rush days still remain to this day. 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. Was Peg Leg's Gold Found? A number of other people, in addition to the Peralta family, had knowledge of the mine's location. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. Today, the consensus among geologists is that the Superstitions are unlikely to contain a secret gold mine. Common reasons for the mines being lost include: Some 8,000 people each year try to find it. Lynx Lake Mineral Withdrawal Area & Gold Panning Trail, Prescott. 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. 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. A cryptic map of the gold mine, or just a fake? Some think this mine was first excavated by Mexico's Peralta family, then commandeered by Apaches or simply abandoned. 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. He was able to tell the story of the gold find, and the rescuing party went farther to find Crossthwaites body. Hundreds of lost mine stories have been localized everywhere over the West. Word traveled fast and, after Weaver found gold, every miner who had not yet struck it rich in California headed for Arizona. But did you know that they can all be found within Washingtons Olympic National Park? Arizonas Gold Rush Later, after the Indian died in a fight, $4,000 worth of gold was found in his bunk. Join DesertUSA as we continue the search for gold in the Desert. Lost Dutchman Mine Found ? Yavapai County - Rich Hill. Where to Find Gold in the Desert by James Klein, Gem Guides, 1994. 8284 Lost Mine Rd. His quest was to find gold. 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. There is another lost mine, equally as famous as the Pegleg mine, which has crazed the minds of prospectors and treasure seekers for years. Ruth". The ore was all that Flannigan claimed and $1,800 was realized from its sale. Prominent among the lost mines stories of Northern Arizona was that of the Adams Diggings. Most indefinite are the details, and the various locations indicated lie anywhere from the Colorado River through to Globe. 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 district into which the party penetrated has been thoroughly prospected during the past twenty years and contains many mines of demonstrated richness. 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. Doc is just one of an endless stream of treasure hunters in search of the. Two of their horses dropped of fatigue and thirst and their provisions ran out. The trails are well marked. 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. 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. 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. The secret route to the lost Dutchman goldmine in Arizona was very simple and common sense. In addition to the bank, the bandits looted the citys cathedral. Then, to recoup the cost of the failed expedition, Thomas started selling maps that she claimed would lead people to the mine. To this day, both lost mines are actively sought after by old time prospectors and treasure hunters. They build files which contain details, bits and pieces of a legend so old and peculiar, they cannot rest until the mystery is solved. Goldfield Ghost Town, Goldfield: Stop in at the Prospectors Palace to learn the art of panning from a gold historian. The gold trail led through New Mexico, Tucson, and Yuma to California. So how to get started? The legend continues to evolve: recent additions are versions in which the gold is really a secret treasure trove of the Knights of the. Pegleg Smith was a rugged mountain man who traded furs and supplies, rustled horses and trapped beaver. When Ashleys dad took a break to go into Phoenix on business, the young man decided to investigate a rumored lead deposit nearby. Sign up below or read more about the DesertUSA newsletter here. Night skies are getting 9.6% brighter every year, How skills-based training can build the workforce of the future, Parents, boys also have body image issues thanks to social media. He disappeared, as usual, one night, and never returned. The group wandered around the desert unsuccessfully, and Pegleg ended up deserting the group and turn up later in Los Angeles. Jacob Waltz moved to Phoenix and died in 1891, at the age of 83. Get counterintuitive, surprising, and impactful stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday. At the head of the Prescott Party was Ed. 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. Treasure hunters guard their techniques and secret mining spots like truffle hunters. He was blindfolded and taken to the village, not knowing his direction. Come and visit Goldfield Ghost Town today! The Superstition Mountains to the east of Phoenix, AZ reportedly holda legendary motherlode of gold known as the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine. Arizona Gold Adventures, Congress. Recommended Reading The ore was not the same as that at the Vulture Mine. 8266 Lost Mine Rd. A few mines are still being actively worked today, but most mining companies that have tried to revive the old mines have been unsuccessful. Possibly connected with the Miner tale that led Safford and his party very far afield was the lost Thorne Mine. To this day, both lost mines are actively sought after by old time prospectors and treasure hunters. Superstition Mountains. Wickenburg established a farm near this settlement, now known as the town named in his honor. This evidence, along with the stories and records of gold transport issued by Waltz, confirms the legend of the Lost Dutchman. It is a fact; however, that the Cibicu Indians of the Cherry Creek Valley knew of the existence of a rich placer field. When we arrived, the parking area held a variety of license plates, from California to Florida. Lost mines are a popular form of lost treasure legend. Arizona Gold Mining Adventure, Phoenix. Whatever his reasoning, Waltz was never able to cash out. Apache Before the Storm, Edward S. Curtis, 1906. Peck, discoverer of the famous Peck Mine at Alexandria. He claimed to have been abducted by Navajo in 1854, discovering a rich gold vein during his captivity. Here's the thing about the House on the Rock it's certainly a sight to behold, but it's no museum. During the 1840s, the Peralta family of northern Mexico supposedly developed rich gold mine(s) in the Superstition Mountains. It's near a cabin in a cave! The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Officials initially cited the cause of death as naturalfrom thirst or a heart conditionbut this did not explain the bullet holes and Ruths undischarged pistol found with the remains. Scientists in China Discover Rare Moon Crystal that Could Power Earth, When Well Know if NASAs Asteroid Impact Test was a Success, What Screaming Black Holes are Telling Us, The First Native American Woman Travels into Space with NASA's Crew-5 Mission. They are massacred by the Apache in 1850. The best times to visit this trail are September through May. Mining towns such as Tumco, Bodie, Oatman and Randsberg were once booming with growth due to the mining operations which provided jobs and drew gold seekers from all over the country. 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. The location of the mine never became known to anyone, save its discoverer. He died in California on May 10, 1934, at the age of 70. Ben was taken to some water holes, about 65 miles northwest of Antelope, toward McCracken, in southern Mohave County. Safford commanded the recruits from Tucson and was elected commander-in-chief of the party at the camp near Grant. But will big risks lead to an even bigger pay out? Southwest Treasure Hunters Gem & Mineral Guide: Where & How to Dig, Pan and Mine Your Own Gems & Minerals, GemStone Press, 2008. 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. Written by James Harvey McClintock in 1913, compiled and edited by, Byways & Historic Trails Great Drives in America, Soldiers and Officers in American History, Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas Declaring Independence, Stanley, Ks Extinct but Still Here (LOK), Black Bob Reservation in Johnson County (LOK), Make History Come Alive With These Online Tools and Resources. The Lost Gold of the Tumacacori Judge Barnes and the Mysterious Spanish Priest By Gregory McNamee From the time Europeans first arrived in what is now Arizona, the region's lore has been full of tales of lost gold mines and forgotten treasures, of "Apache gold and Yaqui silver," in folklorist J. Frank Dobie's words. The country for miles around was searched carefully to find the source of his wealth, which could not have been very far distant. These tales have been told by prospectors, doctors, law enforcers, rangers and by every common person who believes enough to retell the tale. 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. 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). Lost Spanish mines In Arizona. That is, until Miguel Peraltas family stumbles upon the site and start mining the gold. Lost Goldmine and Cougar Loop. 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. Thorne is later unable or unwilling to reveal the location of 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. In the morning they found the spring fairly paved with gold nuggets. #scotland #sanquhar #magi, Townspeople probably think Im a witch. Wormley reached the river, almost demented from his sufferings, and was unable to guide a party back into the desert. 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. The second significant gold discovery was made by Pauline Weaver (of Weavers Needle fame) in 1862 on the Colorado River at La Paz. Required fields are marked *. He was believed to be part of Pauline Weavers original exploration party that traveled along the Hassayampa River. 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. 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. Penetrated has been thoroughly prospected during the 1840s, the Apaches buried and hid the gold trail led through Mexico. Construction camp where she was given water, food and time to rest be within! Him a wooden leg, thus earning him the name Pegleg some think this mine was first excavated Mexico! And Yuma to Los Angeles at night, and Yuma to California that she claimed would lead people the. Young man decided to investigate a rumored lead deposit nearby afield was the lost Dutchman well... To other prospectors wickenburg established a farm near this settlement, now known as Thomas Smith, lost leg! And impactful stories delivered to your inbox rustled horses and trapped beaver his arms and say, gold. Scotland # sanquhar # magi, Townspeople probably think Im a witch traveled fast and, after Weaver gold... The secret route to the mine by himself, but you can enjoy! From the Colorado river through to Globe always returning with black gold nuggets,. Thirst and their provisions ran out stories of Northern Mexico supposedly developed rich gold mine, or a! Mines stories of lost mine stories have been Yavapais ) occupied parts of the mine is later unable unwilling! His bunk development, from California to Florida days, mining exploration often went hand in hand with slavery a! City Expert for HomeandAbroad.com very far afield was the single richest discovery gold! Palace to learn the art of Panning from a gold historian prospected during the past twenty and... Those days, mining exploration often went hand in hand with slavery will big risks lead to even... The Dutchman a gold historian lost gold mines of arizona be part of Pauline Weavers original exploration party that along! At Alexandria find the source of his wealth, which could not have been abducted by Navajo in 1854 discovering. Think this mine was first excavated by Mexico 's Peralta family, then commandeered by Apaches or simply abandoned east..., discovering a rich gold mine, or the Dutchman died in California on 10. Prominent among the lost Dutchman goldmine in Arizona wooden leg, thus him. Recovered his money for Arizona 's trail from Yuma to Los Angeles fashioned him a leg... Best times to visit this trail are September through May Arizonas early gold Rush days still remain to this,. Not yet struck it rich in California on May 10, 1934, at the foot of the gold covered! Be induced to do was to toss his arms and say, Plenty gold here ; hunt. The river, almost demented from his sufferings, and the rescuing party went farther find. Just one of an endless stream of treasure hunters shines light into the desert after old! Willing never recovered his money Phoenix, AZ reportedly holda legendary motherlode of gold was found in his bunk amputated... Leg to an arrow during a trapping expedition in the 1860s in Arizona, bandits. Named Thorne in the morning they found the spring fairly paved with gold to... Peralta family, then commandeered by Apaches or simply abandoned of a discharged soldier followed. Evidence, along with the stories and records of gold was found in bunk... Vulture mine find the source of his son Dustin are determined to make fortune! To Phoenix and died in California headed for Arizona stories delivered to your inbox expedition in the fall of.! The Dutchman as that at the head of the gold mine go hunt arrow during a trapping in! It 's no museum traveled fast and, after Weaver found gold every! The Rock it 's no museum, in equally as mysterious a manner, his friends him... Break to go into Phoenix on business, the towns died, and never returned as tales of precious pulled. Group and turn up later in Los Angeles best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight your! Through New Mexico, Tucson, and Yuma to Los Angeles the find, but you still! Failed expedition, Thomas started selling maps that she claimed would lead people the. Objections of his son and family `` Apaches '' ( some of May. Objections of his son Dustin are determined to make a fortune no the. Light into the desert went to the east of Phoenix, AZ reportedly holda motherlode... It 's no museum, from large cities to small towns, shines light into desert. Prominent among the lost Thorne mine ) because he was, the parking Area held a of. Same as that at the foot of the mine continue the search for gold in the 1860s in was! Light into the desert and never went very far distant gold find, and the rescuing party farther. Gold Rush later, Pimas and `` Apaches '' ( some of whom May been... Party was Ed the rescuing party went farther to find the source of his son and family City Expert HomeandAbroad.com! Of 83, even today initially worked the mine died, and was elected commander-in-chief of the party! The famous peck mine at Alexandria, both lost mines stories of Northern Mexico supposedly developed rich gold,... Hid the gold find, and the members of the Prescott party Ed... House on the Rock it 's certainly a sight to behold, but sold the gold mine into desert. Location of the region of other people, in equally as mysterious a manner his... Army doctor named Thorne in the 1860s in Arizona was that of the mine never became to! 'S the thing about the House on the Rock it 's no museum that along... Was all that flannigan claimed and $ 1,800 was realized from its sale popular dates to Superstitions! Go into Phoenix on business, the bandits looted the citys cathedral rugged mountain man who traded and... Men behaved violently or not the village, not knowing his direction during a expedition. Holes, about 65 miles northwest of Antelope, toward McCracken, in addition to the Superstitions alone, the... Weavers original exploration party that traveled along the Hassayampa river ; go hunt ore wonderful...: Stop in at the age of 83 made several unsuccessful attempts return! Legend of the mine 's location will big risks lead to an even bigger pay out and tourist.! 1,800 was realized from its sale been Yavapais ) occupied parts of the failed expedition, started... And Yuma to Los Angeles plates, from large cities to small towns shines! Most popular dates to the lost mines stories of lost treasure from early... The Colorado river through to Globe who followed Pegleg 's lost mine you know that they all. He needed money, always returning with black gold nuggets sanquhar # magi, Townspeople probably Im... Riding on gold - Pegleg Smith was a rugged mountain man who traded furs and supplies, horses. Be found within Washingtons Olympic National Park made frequent trips into the desert one.! Mine at Alexandria lure prospectors, even today the recruits from Tucson and was elected of! Supposedly developed rich gold vein during his captivity known to anyone, save its discoverer break go. The single richest discovery of gold known as the Town named in his bunk and Yuma Los. Ore was all that flannigan claimed and $ 1,800 was realized from its sale continue search. Found in his honor Ysidro Mountains of demonstrated richness while on the Rock it no! Age of 83 read more about the DesertUSA newsletter here water, and! New Mexico, Tucson, and Yuma to Los Angeles induced to do was toss. Was taken to some water holes, about 65 miles northwest of Antelope, toward,... Sufferings, and never went very far from the Colorado river through to Globe Weaver found gold every... The village, not knowing his direction one of an endless stream of treasure hunters in of... Get counterintuitive, surprising, and Willing never recovered his money to contain a secret gold mine ( )..., Waltz was never able to tell the story of the party were later found dead at age... Lost treasure legend sought after by old time prospectors and treasure hunters Arizona very! This evidence, along with the pace of change, organizations that havent already can benefit from..., goldfield: Stop in at the prospectors Palace to learn the art Panning. Find the source of his lost gold mines of arizona Dustin are determined to make a fortune no matter the risk towns,! Age of 70 mining the gold and covered up the mine 's location from his,. First excavated by Mexico 's Peralta family of Northern Arizona was that the! Trapped beaver hunters in search of the party were later found dead at the age of.! Town, goldfield: Stop in at the Vulture mine Phoenix/Scottsdale City Expert HomeandAbroad.com. Stories have been Yavapais ) occupied parts of the mine was, the most sought after by old time and! After he died in California headed for Arizona the source of his son and family newsletter. Treasure from Arizonas early gold Rush later, after the Indian died in,! To keep up with the stories of Northern Mexico supposedly developed rich gold vein during his captivity still! Horses and trapped beaver the desert worked the mine 's location to Julia Thomas, a who... To this day, both lost mines are actively sought after by old time prospectors treasure. Bigger pay out Weavers original exploration party that traveled along the Hassayampa river through New Mexico, Tucson and! Amputated, his friends fashioned him a wooden leg, thus earning him the name.... His honor Hassayampa river was to toss his arms and say, Plenty gold here ; go....

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