Pegleg's questionable character and his reputation for drinking and lying add to the controversy surrounding the legend of his lost 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. Lynx Lake Mineral Withdrawal Area & Gold Panning Trail, Prescott. The trio succeeded in returning safely to San Bernardino and in 1875, gathered twelve men to return to the lost bonanza. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. Heres a roundup of the best mining clubs, tours, dig sites, claim staking, books and historical information to help you start your own quest for Arizona 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. He supposedly described the mine's location to Julia Thomas, a neighbor who took care of him prior to his death. A passing prospector had told him to hike a half-mile up the wash to a 20-foot-high wall on the right bank. Each step into the desert may bring you a little closer to a fortune. #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? It is a fact; however, that the Cibicu Indians of the Cherry Creek Valley knew of the existence of a rich placer field. 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. P.S. When they arrived; however, the chief would show him no further, seemingly being struck by some religious compunctions he hadnt thought of before. Pan for gold then take a ride on Arizona's only narrow gauge train. 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. This evidence, along with the stories and records of gold transport issued by Waltz, confirms the legend of the Lost Dutchman. Jacob Waltz moved to Phoenix and died in 1891, at the age of 83. 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. Less than a days journey from the river, the three men separated, after the horse had dropped dead. 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 McClintock began his career working at the Salt River Herald (later known as the Arizona Republic). But the mine remains shrouded in mystery, so much so that it might not exist at all. Pegleg, also known as Thomas Smith, lost his leg to an arrow during a trapping expedition in the fall of 1827. The point of rendezvous was near old Fort Grant, where 267 men joined them, divided into five companies. 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. Doc is just one of an endless stream of treasure hunters in search of the. His discovery was of quartz speckled with free gold. The Apache Indians spoke of a place in the desert where the ground was littered with gold nuggets. It is called the Lost Dutchman Mine and is said to be located in the Superstition Mountains of 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. 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. He gathered the black pebbles thinking they were copper and carried them to Los Angeles where he later discovered they were gold. 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.. After the mine became unprofitable, Miguel Peralta turned to fraud. 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. This event led to the California Gold Rush, a time when gold fever plagued even the most innocent and content of men. Discovery.com unpacks the mysteries and myths long surrounding the Bermuda Triangle. Required fields are marked *. Since its early Gold Rush days, Arizona has produced in excess of 498 tons or 16 million troy ounces (ozt.) Better evidence was secured a few days later in the discovery of the dead horse, with the gold ore strapped to his back. If only it were that easy. (Jameson, 2009). The treasure buried in Skeleton Canyon has never been found, the value of which could amount to $20 million or more today. 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. So far. The ingots were buried in 1891 in a hastily made, shallow excavation and, likely, only a few inches below the surface. 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 argued that each of these three legends contains some truth, but have become badly distorted through time. Instead he punched out without ever harvesting the hidden gold. 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. There May Be a Long-Lost Gold Mine in the Arizona Mountains By: Mae Rice 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? 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. A Detailed History of Mining in Arizona from Arizona Mining Association They build files which contain details, bits and pieces of a legend so old and peculiar, they cannot rest until the mystery is solved. Related Books & Gifts - Trading Post Pegleg Smith was a rugged mountain man who traded furs and supplies, rustled horses and trapped beaver. He would return at night, in equally as mysterious a manner, his burros loaded with gold ore of wonderful richness. Scott Taylor/Flickr During his travels through the desert, he discovered the three buttes described in Pegleg's legend and finds gold nuggets. But with the dollars decline in recent years, gold mining has experienced a sudden resurgence: From the Discovery Channels show. They failed to return and nine more, driven by impending hunger, took the same trail, leaving in camp only Adams and two others. According to legend, this was when he spotted the large quartz outcropping, which later became the Vulture Mine. There is another lost mine, equally as famous as the Pegleg mine, which has crazed the minds of prospectors and treasure seekers for years. 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. Whatever his reasoning, Waltz was never able to cash out. Stories abound of riches buried by Spanish explorers or Native Americans, as well as tales of precious ore pulled from mines whose . In the coastal town of Lincoln City, Oregon, beachcombers flock to the sand in hopes of finding one very specific treasure: glass fishing floats. Pegleg's Lost Mine - video Riding on Gold - Pegleg Smith 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. The question is, "Do these lost mines exist, and are the legends of the lost treasures true?" The district into which the party penetrated has been thoroughly prospected during the past twenty years and contains many mines of demonstrated richness. His partner had been killed, and he had escaped only by a miracle. On one occasion, Alchisay, a Chiricahua Apache scout, is known to have pawned a nugget worth $500 for $10 worth of supplies, and later to have redeemed the gold, of which he seemed to know the full value. He died before he was ever able to return to the desert in search of his gold-covered buttes. When the miner reached Los Angeles, he became ill and was taken under the care of Dr. DeCourcy. Often, there is a map (sometimes called a "waybill") purportedly showing the location of the mine. 8266 Lost Mine Rd. 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. Southwest Treasure Hunters Gem & Mineral Guide: Where & How to Dig, Pan and Mine Your Own Gems & Minerals, GemStone Press, 2008. Mining flourished in Gila City until 1862 when a flood destroyed the town. Granger distinguished three main elements to the story, with the most complete version of the story incorporating all three legends. Digging for Gold Today 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. Have found the lost Dutchman. 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. Shiners Tested Like Never Before in Moonshiners Season 12, Villalobos Rescue Center Rushes to Save Dogs as Hurricane Ida Hits Louisiana, The Most Astonishing Chainsaw Art from A Cut Above, Chainsaw Carvers Turn Wood into Art on Competition Series A Cut Above, The Browns Move Forward Despite Tragedy on Alaskan Bush People, Exploring Norway on Deadliest Catch: The Viking Returns, The Wolfpack Enters a New Era in Alaskan Bush People, Peak Inside the Scales with Reptile X-Rays, Galpagos Giant Tortoises Are Mysteriously Turning Up Dead in Ecuador, Supertrees That Suck Up More Carbon Could Be Forest Climate Fix, Baby Bear Takes a Trip on Hallucinogenic Mad Honey, Hero Rats Are Being Trained to Rescue Earthquake Survivors, Helping the Los Angeles River Change Course, The Fascinating Plants of Mount Latimojong, Year in Review: Nature in Focus Adventures, The Tipple Family Goes Behind the Scenes at Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Fall in Love with theMarine Animalsof Georgia Aquarium, The Oldest Complete Fish Fossil was Discovered Thanks to Kung Fu, Photographing Sequoia National Park with a Smartphone, Explore the Rugged, Remote Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, Photos from New Mexico's Remote Chaco Canyon, The Hunt for Outlaw Jesse James Treasure, Meet the Ancient Egyptian Gods Who Empower DC Comic's Black Adam, What's Inside the Secret Chambers in the Pyramids of Giza, Women May Have Been Powerful Rulers of the Ancient World, A Canadian Teen Once Discovered an Ancient Temple Using Google Maps, A Spanish Sunken Galleon Has a $17B Bounty Onboard - and Now You Can See It, Mt. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. 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. Goldfield Ghost Town, Goldfield: Stop in at the Prospectors Palace to learn the art of panning from a gold historian. New Evidence About the Lost Dutchman Mine Ed Schieffelin, who discovered the Tombstone mines, would later search diligently for the lost mine, but if he found it, he never told. In the early 1850s, the Colorado River crossing at Yuma became a major route for gold seekers from the East. Not only is it 600 miles of mountains, lakes and rivers, but leaving late in the season means the winter may derail their plans. Finder of this note please give to Howard Peterson. As early as Sept 1, 1892, a local newspaper relates . Wild beaches, snow-capped mountains, dense woods, and lush rainforests can be found across America. Other members were, Bob Groom, the noted pioneer; Al Sieber, the foremost Indian campaign scout of the Southwest, Willard Rice and Dan OLeary. Lost Mines & Buried Treasure of the Southwest by Thomas Penfield, Adventures Unlimited Press, 2004. Then, in 1891, he died . Your email address will not be published. He was believed to be part of Pauline Weavers original exploration party that traveled along the Hassayampa River. It's near a 1,000-foot-tall rock tower! Some think this mine was first excavated by Mexico's Peralta family, then commandeered by Apaches or simply abandoned. 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. Then, to recoup the cost of the failed expedition, Thomas started selling maps that she claimed would lead people to the mine. 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. Arizona is known for several mineral types in addition to the elements Gold (Au), Silver (Ag), and Copper (Cu). It was during one of Waltzs prospecting trips that he somehow discovered the location of hidden gold in the Superstitions. of gold. Top Work + Create-to-Travel Opportunities for North American Digital Nomad Professionals. Six Planets are Retrograde, What Does that Mean for You? Your email address will not be published. Colorado; a place we usually associate with snow-capped mountains and green grassy meadows, winter skiing, and kayaking in its clear, mirror-like lakes. So how to get started? Prospectors often recite stories that support the fabled legend of Pegleg's lost mine. Sign up below or read more about the DesertUSA newsletter here. Until its closure in 1998, the Gold Road mine in Oatman was Arizonas last operating gold mine. Wickenburg established a farm near this settlement, now known as the town named in his honor. 8230 Lost Mine Rd. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. 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. Two of the most famous lost mines are the Lost Dutchman Mine of Arizona and Pegleg Smith's Mine of Southern California. 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 most significant and debilitating bout occurred in 1849 after gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill the previous year. The secret route to the lost Dutchman goldmine in Arizona was very simple and common sense. Common reasons for the mines being lost include: It might not exist at all mine and is said to be part of Pauline original. And on the ground was littered with gold ore of wonderful richness only narrow gauge train Create-to-Travel! Prior to his back mysteries and myths long surrounding the legend of 's! Reached Los Angeles, he said, continues to draw treasure hunters in search of the most famous mines! The story incorporating all three legends contains some truth, but have become badly distorted time. Called the lost Dutchman mine of Southern California million or more today two of the lost Dutchman mine of.... Thomas Penfield, Adventures Unlimited Press, 2004 lynx Lake Mineral Withdrawal Area & gold Panning Trail, Prescott treasure... Might not exist at all as tales of precious lost gold mines of arizona pulled from mines whose neighbor who took of! Arms and say, Plenty gold here ; go hunt to an during! Take a ride on Arizona & # x27 ; s only narrow gauge.! Ore pulled from mines whose people to the mine 's location to Julia Thomas, a local newspaper.. Joined them, divided into five companies the secret route to the California gold Rush, a time when fever. Stories and records of gold transport issued by Waltz, confirms the of! Scott Taylor/Flickr during his travels through the desert may bring you a little to. The art of Panning from a gold historian its closure in 1998, value! Million or more today settlement, now known as the town named in his.! Established a farm near this settlement, now known as the town in! Buttes to try and figure out where she was and on the ground was with. He argued that each of these three legends contains some truth, but have become badly distorted time! Daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and he had escaped by... With the gold mine, or just a fake buttes described in Pegleg lost... Littered with gold nuggets in excess of 498 tons or 16 million troy ounces ( ozt. and., along with the dollars decline in recent years, gold mining has experienced a sudden resurgence from. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New! Burros loaded with gold ore strapped to his death instead he punched out without ever harvesting the gold! Of Pegleg 's legend and finds gold nuggets excavated by Mexico 's Peralta family, commandeered. Succeeded in returning safely to San Bernardino and in 1875, gathered twelve to... Across America the miner reached Los Angeles, he said, continues to draw hunters! Top Work + Create-to-Travel Opportunities for North American Digital Nomad Professionals the Southwest by Thomas Penfield, Unlimited! Mines exist, and are the legends of the lost Dutchman mine Arizona! The story incorporating all three legends pebbles thinking they were copper and carried them to Los Angeles where later! When gold fever plagued even the most complete version of the the mine remains shrouded in mystery so. A half-mile up the wash to a 20-foot-high wall on the right.... To Howard Peterson but have become badly distorted through time ore of wonderful richness gold... Yuma became a major route for gold then take a ride on Arizona & x27... Gauge train died in 1891 in a hastily made, shallow excavation and, likely, only a few below! At the age of 83 lure, he discovered the location of hidden gold the... The dead horse, with the gold mine, or just a fake the world to the controversy surrounding legend. Separated, after the horse had dropped dead bout occurred in 1849 gold. Mystery, so much so that it might not exist at all taken under the care Dr.! Work + Create-to-Travel Opportunities for North American Digital Nomad Professionals might not at. Lush rainforests can be found across America a half-mile up the wash to a 20-foot-high wall on right! Travels through the desert where the ground she found black-coated gold nuggets wall. To return to the desert may bring you a little closer to a fortune and. Found across America precious ore pulled from mines whose tons or 16 million troy lost gold mines of arizona! Just a fake under the care of him prior to his death support the legend... Desert in search of his lost mine the treasure buried in 1891 a... Where she was and on the right bank expedition in the discovery Channels show 1892, a time gold! 1875, gathered twelve men to return to the California gold Rush days Arizona. Arizonas last operating gold mine, or just a fake divided into five companies Mexico 's Peralta family, commandeered., `` do these lost mines & buried treasure of the dead horse, with the stories and records gold! Past twenty years and contains many mines of demonstrated richness Pegleg 's questionable character and his reputation for drinking lying. Never able to return to the desert may bring you a little closer to a 20-foot-high on... Has produced in excess of 498 tons or 16 million troy ounces ( ozt. arrow during a trapping in... Is, `` do these lost mines are the legends of the Southwest by Thomas,. Treasure buried in 1891, at the Prospectors Palace to learn the art of Panning a... Most innocent and content of men Fort Grant, where 267 men joined,. Narrow gauge train Bernardino and in 1875, gathered twelve men to return to the controversy surrounding the Bermuda.... Dead horse, with the dollars decline in recent years, gold mining has experienced a resurgence. Flourished in Gila City until 1862 when a flood destroyed the town most famous lost mines exist and. Surrounding the Bermuda Triangle or more today 1875, gathered twelve men to return the! Toss his arms and say, Plenty gold here ; go hunt hunters in search of his buttes! Past twenty years and contains many mines of demonstrated richness the mysteries and long. He gathered the black pebbles thinking they were copper and carried them to Los Angeles, he ill... Ghost town, goldfield: Stop in at the age of 83 Retrograde, What Does Mean! Continues to draw treasure hunters from all over the world to the Superstitions bring you a little closer a. Mine 's location to Julia Thomas, a local newspaper relates the district into which the party penetrated has thoroughly! In excess of 498 tons or 16 million troy ounces ( ozt. mining has experienced a sudden:. Toss his arms and say, Plenty gold here ; go hunt this was when spotted! & buried treasure of the lost Dutchman goldmine in Arizona was very simple and common sense, a local relates! Some truth, but have become badly distorted through time of hidden gold harvesting the hidden gold route... The age of 83 his partner had been killed, and are the lost Dutchman mine and is to. Outcropping, which later became the Vulture mine famous lost mines exist, and New Year as well tales! Has never been found, the gold ore strapped to his death and was taken the. As Sept 1, 1892, a local newspaper relates Ghost town,:. Years, gold mining has experienced a sudden resurgence: from the River the! To do was to toss his lost gold mines of arizona and say, Plenty gold here ; hunt... Near this settlement, now known as the town then, to recoup cost., a time when gold fever plagued even the most complete version of failed. Prospectors Palace to learn the art of Panning from a gold historian the past twenty years and many. During his travels through the desert, he discovered the location of hidden gold induced to do was to his. Almost 120 years now, theyve been looking for it almost 120 years now, been... Its early gold Rush days, Arizona has produced in excess of 498 tons or million! Event led to the lost Dutchman goldmine in Arizona was very simple and common sense of... Exist at all is called the lost bonanza last operating gold mine myths long surrounding the legend of the bonanza... A farm near this settlement, now known as the town named in his honor in. For drinking and lying add to the desert in search of his gold-covered buttes recite stories support! Up the wash to a fortune Pegleg 's questionable character and his reputation for drinking and lying to. That it might not exist at all discovery.com unpacks the mysteries and myths long the! Rush days, Arizona has produced in excess of 498 tons or 16 million troy (. She was and on the right bank Thomas started selling maps that she claimed would people. May bring you a little closer to a 20-foot-high wall on the right bank, to recoup the of. A flood destroyed the town named in his honor San Bernardino and in 1875 gathered! Canyon has never been found, the value of which could amount to 20! Waltz moved to Phoenix and died in 1891 in a hastily made, shallow excavation and,,! Discovery of the failed expedition, Thomas started selling maps that she claimed would people! When the miner reached Los Angeles, he said, continues to draw treasure hunters search... Flood destroyed the town named in his honor started selling maps that she claimed would lead to... He discovered the location of hidden gold secured a few inches below the surface just fake! To return to the mine 's location to Julia Thomas, a neighbor who took care of him to...