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. The curse of the treasure would continue in the 1940s, when a 62-year-old treasure hunter by the name of James A. Carvey journeyed into the Superstition Mountains and also ended up dead and with his head separated from his shoulders. We are a non-profit corporation under Section 501 (c) 3, organized to collect and preserve the history and legends of Arizonas Superstition Mountains, and to support research, education and publications involving the region. On July 11, 2010, Utah hikers Curtis Merworth, Ardean Charles, and Malcolm Meeks went missing in the Superstition Mountains while looking for the mine. But they're even better known for something else: the legendary Lost Dutchman's Mine, a much-ballyhooed secret stash of wealth sought by daring adventurers known as "Dutch hunters." At the time he had ventured out into the Tonto National Forest in search of the legendary treasure, having looked for it on several occasions in the past and accumulating hundreds of books and hundreds of pages of research on the matter. People have been seeking the Lost Dutchman's mine since at least 1892,[2] while according to one estimate, 9,000 people annually made some effort to locate the Lost Dutchman's mine. By what name was Legend of the Superstition Mountains (2015) officially released in Canada in English? Waltz is attacked and wounded by marauding Apaches, but survives at least long enough to tell a man called Dr. Walker about the mine. Tack a map onto a wall, toss a dart and chances are youd hit an outskirt of nowhere with a small Fort Knox in its hills. Saturdays bring the added fun of gun fight shows with a friendly crew that welcomes photos during the show and posing with them after the show. Thorne claimed that he was taken captive by Navajos in 1854, and that during his captivity he had discovered a rich gold vein. The elder Ruth had fallen and badly broken several bones while seeking the lost Pegleg mine in California. They removed his blindfold and let him take away as much as he could carry. According to the story, in about 1912 Erwin C. Ruth gave some legal aid to Gonzales, saving him from almost certain imprisonment. [42] The park was expanded to 320 acres (130ha) in 1983. In late November or early December 2009, Denver, Colorado citizen Jesse Capen disappeared in the Tonto National Forest. Everyplace had a lost mine. Read on to find out if you should start planning your trip to a Dark Mountain. Intrigue Journal. I will make a statement in the near future that will surprise a lot of Dutch Hunters it surprised me. Legend tells of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine hidden somewhere within the 160,000 acres of brutal Arizona desert known as the "Superstition Mountains.". Next week I will list some clues that are absolutely relevant to what we have physically on site. These are tall, volcanic formations in the wilderness and are popular as hiking destinations. As the mountains have a desert climate and few water resources, there is not much vegetation here. Bands of roaming cannibals are said to hunt the area and the curse of the Lost Mine to many isnt a tall tale but a stark reality. Willing died in 1874 before there had been a thorough investigation of the documents or opportunity to cross examine him on the stand as was later done with Reavis. Seniors $6.00 (65 and older) According to Blair, the story may have its roots in the efforts of three U.S. soldiers to locate gold in an area of New Mexico, based on an allegedly true story related to them by Dr. Thorne of New Mexico; see above. The Supers are east - northeast of Phoenix. https://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/superstition-mountains/index.html, They were once known in Spanish as Sierra de la Espuma . Famed Apache Geronimo is sometimes mentioned in relation to this story. Over the next few weeks we will provide some images and photos taken at or very near the site. Others that it was Waltz. You came here for the nasty bits that are constantly swept under the rug. Tales of these other Lost Dutchman's mines can be traced to at least the 1870s. Admission Blair suggested that "fragments of this legend have perhaps become attached to the mythical mine of Jacob Waltz".[6]. Is this all just a spooky legend or id there something more to it? But Blair suggested that this core story was distorted in subsequent retellings, comparing the many variants of the Lost Dutchman's story to the game of Chinese whispers, where the original account is distorted in multiple retellings of the tale.[15]. Excellent place to learn a lot about the local history of the Superstition Mountains. Whether a wedding, elopement,, The amphitheater and other outdoor locations on the Museum's property are available for outdoor events including small catered receptions. "[24], Authorities in Arizona did not convene a criminal inquest regarding Ruth's death. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. Everything is well-maintained, and the staff are without exception friendly and helpful. [16] A man called Jacob Walz was born in September 1810 in Wrttemberg. Im talking Smaug levels of the shiny stuff. Over the years, subsequent search for the mines has only lead to heartache and death. In January 1932, human remains were discovered about three-quarters of a mile (1.21km) from where the skull had been found. He pursued mining and prospecting, but seems to have had little luck with either. 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day and Easter. People from the town below certain that only death and demons travel across Superstition Mountain at night. Theyre filled to the brim with ghosts and spirits. Who killed him and then separated his head from his body remains unknown. Lights, screams, and shadows of Apache armies have been reported. Today along route 88 is a pull off gravel road, that leads out behind the Lost Dutchman Museum, you follow it to a designated area, here you will find marked trail signs with trails simply marked as the Massacre Grounds.. Some places have long been thought to be simply no good. One of the most professional and serious-minded efforts was led by Oklahoma City private detective Glen Magill, who organized multiple expeditions in the late 1960s and early '70s, and claimed on at least two occasions to have identified the location of the mine, later to concede he was either mistaken or the locations were "played out," or bereft of gold. This is considered to be the starting and gathering point for most Dutch Hunters. He was remembered as having been obsessed with finding the mine for several years. Image property of Arcana Exploration, photo taken at the Lost Dutchman Museum Apache Junction, Arizona. Waltz relocated to Arizona in the 1860s, and stayed in the territory for most of the rest of his life. STSTW Media strives to deliver accurate information through careful research. Much of the interior is so brutal with severe weather shifts (the Apache winds) that much of the interior is off limits for search and rescue. Arcana Exploration is made up of a group of five friends and supporters, from central Ohio, who until five years ago knew very little if anything about the LDM. This would become a common theme in the Superstition Mountains, the presence of decapitated corpses, and indeed this has happened to quite a few people who have dared look for the Lost Dutchmans mine throughout the decades. (However, in some versions,[14] the 'mine' is actually a cache put there by the Peraltas.). George Johnston, who first tried to find the treasure in the 1950s, was still working for the Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum up until his August 30, 2017, death at age 97. Weiser was the mans best friend and confidant. The area is basically a free-for-all for wilderness lovers. It was the fifth-largest fire in Arizonas history, it raged for over a month, despite the strenuous containment efforts of over 600 firefighters. [4], Robert Blair wrote "[t]here have been at least four legendary Lost Dutchman's gold mines in the American West, including the famed Superstition mine of Jacob Waltz". Both fabled and mythical, they have helped to drive the legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine. Even though some have said the stones story is much older (it is true the source information is likely much older) than the Dutchmans time and therefor there is no connection, they are going to be slapping themselves in the face trying to overcome their denial when they realize the stones leadto the same birds nest. A corpse is later found and IDed as Weiser; coroners unable to state whether the wounds were caused by Apache weapons or American-made knives. The gift shop also has an indoor museum. I feel the information on the Peralta stones is most likely from a very old map of Jesuit origin. In December of 1949 a man named James Kidd vanished without a trace in the area as well. Adolph Ruth is really the amateur explorer and treasure hunter that made the mines into a national phenomenon. Here amongst this vast maize of volcanic interior, fixed and clinging to the mountain side, flanked on one side by a very small almost invisible ledge is the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine, like a small birds nest perched in the middle of a forest of giant oaks, concealed by the natural elements it obscures itself from all beasts of prey, especially man. In any case, the event led to the naming of the Massacre Falls after it. "Tex" Bradford of Globe Arizona went in search of the "Lost Dutchman Mine"; by October 1933 he had been missing for nine months. However, Ruth ignored Barkely's advice, and set out for a two-week stint in the mountains. The multi-acre museum site soon saw the addition of a historic Cossack 20-Stamp . Choice of of building material I like Ironwood +, There is a typo that should be alpha mine not alfa mine. Visitors are treated to a working display of historic large scale model trains and learn about the prominent role they took in the settlement of the West. The weather in the Superstition Mountains is notoriously unpredictable, with storms seeming to come out of nowhere and accompanied by abrupt drops in temperatures. Tantalizingly, Ruth's checkbook was also recovered, and proved to contain a note written by Ruth wherein he claimed to have discovered the mine and gave detailed directions. People off his Mine that he cover up with a ironwood tree :The books give me my This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. TheLost Dutchmans Gold Mineis, according to folktales, a magnificent, rich, Scrooge McDuck like repository of gold hidden somewhere in southwestern United States. Producers included Tamara Blaich, Jennifer Harrington, and Megan Peterson with cinematography by Pyongson Yim and editing by Jennifer Harrington. The story of the Peralta Stones is that they lead you to a small almost invisible ledge, like a small birds nest perched in the middle of a forest of giant oaks concealed by the natural elements, it obscures itself from all beasts of prey especially man. Like all great legends and Indiana Jones-like ventures, the search for the Lost Dutchmans Gold Mine is littered with betrayal, spirits, backstabbing desperados, unexplained disappearances, and death. Hrdlicka positively identified the skull as that of Adolph Ruth. We will share as much as we can for now, but as I stated earlier we are preparing for a return trip, and the location has to remain secret. The mans campsite would be found to hold many books on the lost mine, and this would join a further three more mysterious deaths in 2010 and 2011 in the same area, all of whom had been seeking the legendary Dutchmans Mine. Fun, family friendly historical site with a lot to see including replicas of old buildings, plenty of hiking, a gift shop and free lectures by locals describing how life was like. A month later the rest of the body was found about three-quarters of a mile away, with severely broken legs, and it was supposed that he had fallen and then after his grievous injuries died of starvation and the elements. The Dutchman " was a German immigrant named Jacob Waltz. Along with the body was found a mysterious note ensconced within a bottle, which said that he had broken his leg and needed help, but which also stated that he had had managed to find the legendary Lost Dutchmans Mine. Thorne fills every pocket, flap of clothing, and fleshy orifice with the nuggets. Are you ready to relive the last few moments of the lives of a group of people who were poking around where they shouldnt have been? He further stated, after examining the two holes [in the skull], that it appeared that a shotgun or high-powered rifle had been fired through the head at almost point-blank range, making the small hole when the bullet entered and the large hole when it exited".[23]. If you need rescued, they will land two miles away and hike in to get you. There are a lot of terrific shots and brilliantly edited moments -- especially, the opening montage as the characters drive to the Superstition Mountains. On our may trip in 2016 one day it reached 108 degrees, that same day up on the mountain, climbing on a surface of Granite and sandstone ours guys Trek watches read what they were breathing at an actual 119 degrees. Two prospectors saved his life and, in gratitude, he gave them directions to the gold mine, thus setting off a wild goose chase that continues to the present day. [17] Note that tombstone pictured shows birth year as 1808. Its estimated worth is around 200 million dollars. A beautiful site just below the western edge of the Superstition Mountains was found and obtained. They were supposedly dug up in the desert, in area east of Gold canyon and Tucson in the late 1940s byTravis E Tomlinson. The roofs of the cave are blackened from centuries of Native Ameri Go Wildcats! Trust at your own peril if you dare to tread into HISTORYs Legend of the Superstition Mountains. 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[26], Blair wrote that "the national wire services picked up the story [of Ruth's death] and ran it for more than it was worth", possibly seeing the mysterious story as a welcome reprieve from the bleak news that was otherwise typical of the Great Depression. In many areas they cannot, and will not for any reason land, and actually have designated no fly zones. Monday Sunday The 66-year-old Ruth, who was by all accounts absolutely and hopelessly obsessed with the location of the Lost Dutchmans Mine, ventured out into those badlands despite warnings against it, and shortly after vanished without a trace. Yes, the deserts of Arizona carry a spooky secret. 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. The headline that entangles those mountains in macabre tales and sinister ghost fantasies is the legend of the Lost Dutchmans Gold Mine. In March of 2011 three filmmakers set out to find the mine and document their entire process. That was circa 1850. All rights reserved. The story became a national sensation and suddenly everyone knew about the mines and its horror riddled backstory. First you drive to the outskirts of Phoenix and find Apache Junction, then pick up the old Apache Trail (route88) and go about 35 miles to Tortilla Flat, site of the old stage coach Pony express stop, along the Apache Trail. You need at a bare minimum, at least a three- man team. In later years, in 1945, a would-be treasure hunter named Barry Storm would claim that as he had been out looking for the treasure he had been fired upon by a mysterious sniper who he called Mr. In 1977, 292 acres (118ha) abutting the Tonto National Forest were set aside as the Lost Dutchman State Park. Waltzs caregiver, a Julia Thomas, apparently listened to all of this but had no idea what to think of any of it. The glitches that periodically disrupt the footage are also particularly effective. The University of Arizona is the oldest college in the state, existing before Arizona achieved statehood. They are bound on three sides by U.S. Route 60, Arizona State Route 88, and Arizona State Route 188, and are visible from miles away. This tale involves two German men, Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser. Cravey said he would walk out of the mountains on June 28, 1947. My husband has been enthralled with all the wonderful tales of the mountains since his college days a long time ago. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. The family is later attacked and butchered in the so-calledPeralta massacre. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. In 1847-1848 during the time of the Hidalgo Treaty when Mexico sold the territory to the United Sates the Peraltas, knowing they would lose access to their mines made one last trip bringing hundreds of miners from Sonora to mine as much as they could, but were attacked by Apaches. Keep in mind for security reasons for now I have to be selective on what we divulge. Biology, nature, and cryptozoology still remain Brent Swancers first intellectual loves. A group of modern day treasure hunters search for the Lost Dutchman mine in the Superstition mountain range of Arizona. The Grand Canyon State. Out in the remote badlands of the U.S. state of Arizona, just to the east of the Phoenix metropolitan area lies a sun scorched, dried up, arid moonscape of twisted peaks and sprawling expanse of badlands called the Superstition Mountains, at one time called the Sierra de la Espuma by Spanish settlers. Superstition Mountain (Yavapai: Wi:kchsawa, O'odham: Gakok) is a prominent mountain and regional landmark located in the Phoenix metropolitan area of Arizona, immediately east of Apache Junction and north of Gold Canyon.It anchors the west end of the federally designated Superstition Wilderness Area and is a popular outdoor recreation destination, home to numerous trails for hiking and . However, the Peralta Mine eventually became unprofitable and after the money was gone Miguel Peralta turned to fraud. His body has never been found. They are mysterious, they are cool as ice, and for all those Dark Tourism enthusiasts, they are full of legends and weird happenings. The Peralta family would go on to be suspected of having left some evidence behind of their discovery in the form of a series of odd stones mysteriously etched with codes, pictograms, and cryptic messages written out in imperfect Latin, which are said to hold the key to finding the treasure and which have been dubbed the Peralta Stones. These stones were allegedly written up by the family shortly before their massacre and left behind by Apaches who did not know their true meaning and so left them to rot away in the sun. [11] According to Blair, the origin of this story can be traced to a doctor named Thorne who was in private practice in New Mexico in the 1860s. The haunted state? Arcadia Publishing. And, where praytell do most folks believe said El Dorado is safely hidden Why, in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction. Back in those days, the American term for German was , Members of the Apache tribe were said to have a truly valuable gold mine located in the Superstition Mountains. The mysterious deaths and disappearances go on and on. Instead, he went missing and his skull was found 6 months later with two large circular holes. Also in that year was the disappearance of two young boys, Ross Bley and Charles Harshbarger, whose bodies were never found. Nobody has been able to interpret them correctly. 2: Cashiers for questions about whats happening at the museum and local area The lost stash of gold, which has gone on to be rather oddly known as the Lost Dutchmans Mine, has catapulted itself into one of the most intriguing unsolved modern mysteries there is, and the allure of its undiscovered riches has led many people to their deaths, with some estimates saying that over 600 people have mysteriously died or vanished during attempts to try and pry it from its ancient resting place. A note in a bottle found floating down the Salt River said that he needed help on account of his leg and that he had found the Lost Dutchmans gold mine. In a few scenes the characters are shown wearing their packs while walking one moment, and not wearing them the next. German? "The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine." The main thing is that they supposedly accidentally found this ancient Apache treasure somewhere in the mountains, but it was to spell their doom. Want to climb a perilous cliff? In January 2011, three sets of remains assumed to be those of the lost men were retrieved. About this campaign You may also be interested in Gogopicks Funding The MOST PROFESSIONAL Smart Toothpaste Dispenser Erwin passed the information to his father Adolph, who had a long-standing interest in lost mines and amateur exploration. The early Spanish the Peraltas the Jesuits and many others all came to the Superstition Mountains looking for legendary gold. Magill's adventures were chronicled in the book The Killer Mountains, by Curt Gentry. For more macabre tales check out our Top Ten list of haunted spots in Phoenix. Later on came a long list of early and newly appointed Dons of Spain who also made forays into the Prima Alta looking for riches. In an act of kindness, Throne treats an ailing Apache chieftain. It is easily accessible about 40 miles east of Phoenix via U.S. Highway 60, the Superstition Freeway. Everyone else? , The Waterbury Democrat. Most stories go like this, the family of a man called Miguel Peralta struck gold by accident they were just passing by and started drilling the mine. The lost Dutchman Gold mine is generally believed to be somewhere near or in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. [8] The mine was quite profitable, earning about $35,000 in less than one year; Blair described this as "an unusually good return" for such a small gold mine to earn in such a relatively brief period. January 7, 2023 12:00 pm - April 29, 2023 3:00 pm, Desert Safety and Survival (March Sold Out), Weaving Class with Nanabah Aragon (March Sold Out). Very similiar to big foot hunters. Finally The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Is Found! The Superstitions are one of four mountains which mark the ancestral territory of the Apache People. Interestingly it was found that he had amassed a small fortune in a short amount of time after starting his forays into the mountains, urging suspicions that he had found the lost mine. Within the refuge are 14 trail heads that cover 190 miles. According to some storytellers, in September 1848, a band of Apaches slaughtered the entire Peralta Family, except one (someone had to live to tell the tale). Jacob Waltz, the Dutchman, a mischievous canard if ever there was one, becomes obsessed with the mine. The stories differ from here onward. The Superstition Mountains are a mountain range east of Phoenix and are known for their picturesque volcanic peaks and and jagged canyons. In this story (actually two interconnected stories), members of the Apache tribe are said to have a very rich gold mine located in the Superstition Mountains.
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