Instead he punched out without ever harvesting the hidden gold. 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. The Weaver - Rich Hill district is located near the intersection of four townships, each one being one of Arizona's top gold areas. Superstition Mountains, are able to present some of it to a third party but afterwards are killed or vanish. Find a club in your city: Goldminers HQ, Desert Gold Diggersclubs with gold claims in Arizona, Legends of America Treasure Clubs, Gold Mining Tours & Instruction 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. During the 1840s, the Peralta family of northern Mexico supposedly developed rich gold mine(s) in the Superstition Mountains. There have been 428,000 ounces of gold mined here, the vast majority of which comes from the Vulture Mine near Wickenburg. 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. #scotland #sanquhar #magi, Townspeople probably think Im a witch. According to the legend, the Apaches buried and hid the gold and covered up the mine. 928.443.8000 Many prospectors and historians wonder why he did not go back to the desert and search for the butte where he discovered the gold. They build files which contain details, bits and pieces of a legend so old and peculiar, they cannot rest until the mystery is solved. But the mine remains shrouded in mystery, so much so that it might not exist at all. Love Arizona? #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? As you probably guessed, they were fakes. Entrance is free. 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. (Jameson, 2009). 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. Misinformation and rumors about the mine grew so ubiquitous that in 1895, they made it into the San Francisco Chronicle. The country has been thoroughly prospected since that time and mines of importance have been worked in that vicinity, but the nearest approach to the discovery of the old-time bonanza has been in the finding of placer gold in several of the gulches. The trails are well marked. Gold in Morgan City Wash: In 1934, Palmer Ashley was helping his father work a difficult, low-grade prospect near Morgan City Wash, 23 miles outside of Wickenburg. In the early 1850s, the Colorado River crossing at Yuma became a major route for gold seekers from the East. The Vulture Mining Company was born. Governor A.P.K. Until its closure in 1998, the Gold Road mine in Oatman was Arizonas last operating gold mine. Further west, around Tysons Wells, also has been found placer gold, though none of these discoveries seem to exactly fit the special conditions of the Lost Soldier mine. The Apache (some even mention their famous chief Geronimo in this respect) are the only ones who know of a very rich gold mine in the. The 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. 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. In a pocket was a map, very roughly made and probably very inaccurate, on which he had attempted to show the position of the golden spring. About fifty pounds of this golden quartz they loaded on the remaining horse and then set out for the Gila River. Thorne was afterward denounced as an impostor. What really matters, though, is that Waltz the namesake Dutchman, or "Deutsch" (German) man wouldn't reveal the mine's location. They are the tallest trees on Earth, with some reaching more than 250 feet tall. When the mines closed, the towns died, and their remains have become ghost towns and tourist attractions. I've got to have help quick. P.S. The gold trail led through New Mexico, Tucson, and Yuma to California. Waltz also makes a deathbed confession to a Julia Thomas, and even draws a crude map of the mine. The butte was one of three, thus entering the significant landmark of three buttes in most versions of his story. But when his son, who worked in Mexico, found a map that might lead to an Arizona gold mine, Ruth couldn't resist. Shasta, Californias Mysterious Volcano, is an Enigma Waiting to be Explored, Three New Species of Snakes Discovered in Graveyards and Churches in Ecuador. Lost Spanish mines In Arizona. It is called the Lost Dutchman Mine and is said to be located in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. Gold mines subsequently popped up all over the state in riverbeds, hills, caves and mountains. 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. It has been looked for in Colorado, California and in two places in Arizona the other one being near Wickenburg, 180 km north-west of the, Granger distinguished three main elements to the story, with the most complete version of the story incorporating all three legends. But only rarely is it spectacularly visible from Earth. #sedona #redrocks #outhiki, Oddball vending machines, #3 in the series. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Take a private tour of NYCs American Museum of Natural History from home! Granger distinguished three main elements to the story, with the most complete version of the story incorporating all three legends. This evidence, along with the stories and records of gold transport issued by Waltz, confirms the legend of the Lost Dutchman. The ore was all that Flannigan claimed and $1,800 was realized from its sale. 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. When his father later examined the specimen, he noticed the underside of the quartz was covered with fine wire gold and pinhead nuggets. But the mine remains shrouded in mystery, so much so that it might not exist at all. 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. Arizona Association of Gold Prospectors (AAGP), Phoenix. If I do believe, how can I find gold in the desert and where do I begin searching? During the robbery, they were confronted by a small contingent of Mexican soldiers and police and a battle ensued. 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. Because of their superstitions, their secret remained well kept. But theres enough to it to encourage people to go after that gold. The district into which the party penetrated has been thoroughly prospected during the past twenty years and contains many mines of demonstrated richness. The Indian said he had seen much larger pieces of the same substance and started off to show him the treasure. In 2006, all of Arizonas gold production came as a fortuitous byproduct of copper mining. Where to Find Gold in the Desert by James Klein, Gem Guides, 1994. Most of the stories of lost mines had to them an Indian annex. 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 second significant gold discovery was made by Pauline Weaver (of Weavers Needle fame) in 1862 on the Colorado River at La Paz. 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. 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. A huge variety of Copper and Silver minerals covering all imaginable shades of blue and green abound throughout the state, and there is of course the famous rainbow petrified wood from the Petrified Forest National Park region, which . 480.982.7661 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. Dig Here! 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. Boettcher Mansion, Capitol Hill, Denver - built in, Always nice to have a solid noodle place with love, Red rock vistas, 2021. Ed Schieffelin, who discovered the Tombstone mines, would later search diligently for the lost mine, but if he found it, he never told. December 09, 2019 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 Indian legends of sacred gold caches, and the correlating stories of many others who have, in some way, encountered black-coated gold nuggets and other supporting data of these two lost mines, provide strong evidence that they do indeed exist. 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. I had been prospecting out of Prescott AZ. Years later, an army doctor by the name of Thorne treats an ailing Apache (possibly a chief) who as a reward takes him to the mine blindfolded, of course where he can take as much gold as he can carry. In 1848, during a routine expedition to carry gold back to Mexico, the large party was ambushed by Apaches, and all were killed except for a few Peralta family members who escaped. The Indians would not harm him, evidently on account of his color. The treasure buried in Skeleton Canyon has never been found, the value of which could amount to $20 million or more today. There was a Dr Thorne who had a private practice in New Mexico, however. Often, there is a map (sometimes called a "waybill") purportedly showing the location of the mine. Arizona is known for several mineral types in addition to the elements Gold (Au), Silver (Ag), and Copper (Cu). 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. Attempts have been made to locate it at, The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine has been situated in four quite distinct locales. The body of one "dutch hunter" (as they are known to locals) was found in the Superstition Mountains as recently as 2012. Since its early Gold Rush days, Arizona has produced in excess of 498 tons or 16 million troy ounces (ozt.) What i, Magic hour castle walks. 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. It's near a cabin in a cave! 8338 Lost Mine Rd. International mysteries, vintage maps, hidden treasure Explorers Justin and Emiliano are on the case. 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.. Already in the 16th century, Spanish Conquistadors roamed the area, looking for the precious metal. For the last 150 years, people have risked their lives to go in search of Arizonas lost gold, silver and other buried treasures. Jakob Waltz was nicknamed Dutch (i.e. One of the most popular Arizona legends also happens to be one of the most deadly: the Lost Dutchman's gold mine. Apache Before the Storm, Edward S. Curtis, 1906. If only it were that easy. Men who claimed to have found the Peralta mine were unable to return to it, or some disaster occurred just before they could file a claim, all adding to the lore of a "lost mine.". It was against the tribal law and beliefs of the Apaches to tell others where the gold was located. Top Work + Create-to-Travel Opportunities for North American Digital Nomad Professionals. There is a Superstition Mountain Museum at 4087 N. Apache Trail, Highway 88 in Apache Junction. 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. The quartz veins of the mine produced 366,000 ounces of gold over the next century. Asteroid Ryugu Has Dust Grains Older Than the Sun. If the story ended there, the legend of the Lost Dutchmans gold mine would make an interesting story. 623.934.6882 Ruth". Jacob Waltz moved to Phoenix and died in 1891, at the age of 83. $15,000 of gold was found under his bed after he died. Of course, most of these tales were merely inventions or distorted dreams. 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. During their journey through the desert, Pegleg had gathered some pebbles which he found on top of a butte in the Colorado Desert. This wall has vertical eroded ridges resembling a pipe organ. As he was nearing death in 1891, Waltz was being cared for by Julia Thomas, an acquaintance with whom he shared the golds location. Thank you! That is, until Miguel Peraltas family stumbles upon the site and start mining the gold. By 1869, water was once again flowing from the ancient Hohokam canals for the first time in 400 years into the fertile land of what would later become known as Phoenix. The gold trail led through New Mexico, Tucson, and Yuma to California. 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. Lost Mine Road Property Records by Address. Hundreds of lost mine stories have been localized everywhere over the West. Safford commanded the recruits from Tucson and was elected commander-in-chief of the party at the camp near Grant. 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. Lost Dutchman Mine Found ? Old time miners would sample gold bearing rivers following the wa. Flannigan made several unsuccessful attempts to return to the find, but he dreaded the desert and never went very far from the river. So how to get started? Gold fever has stricken thousands of men and women over the years. Weiser is attacked (either by Apache or by Waltz) but survives long enough to tell a Dr Walker about the mine. Mining flourished in Gila City until 1862 when a flood destroyed the town. New Evidence About the Lost Dutchman Mine He argued that each of these three legends contains some truth, but have become badly distorted through time. By the time the miners had excavated all of the gold at La Paz, they had retrieved eight million dollars worth. Dutchman mine and is said to be located in the early 1850s, the legend, the buried... Townspeople probably think Im a witch out without ever harvesting the hidden gold fifty pounds of golden... This wall has vertical eroded ridges resembling a pipe organ moved to Phoenix and died 1891... 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lost gold mines of arizona