We have imaging taken, with Go-pros, Sony 7000s; Osmo stabilized film cameras and Dji Phantom and Bee-bop drones. "The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine." Due to the out-of-control fire, the Arizona authorities were forced to close the State Route 88, and, along with it, public access to the Canyon, Apache Lake, Apache Campground, picnic sites, and trailheads. The man is barely alive. Erwin gave the data to his father Adolph. Randomly stopped by on my way home from Lost Dutchman State Park and I was super happy I did! Treasure hunting at Superstition Mountains Arizona - The Lost Dutchman's Mine. Superstition Mountain at night. Ruth ignored Barkelys help and set out for a two-week stint into cliffs. The photographic evidence taken at the site along with a selection of maps combined with historical documentation together, links the most generally accepted and related informational evidence too present day boots on the ground reality. All Rights Reserved. My husband has been enthralled with all the wonderful tales of the mountains since his college days a long time ago. Early on during the Spanish Conquest, Conquistadors such as Francisco Vazquez de Coronado (1535) came to the American southwest (New Spain) in search of gold trying to locate, Montezumas Seven Cities of Cibola. May through September (Chris J / Flickr). Arizona place-name expert Byrd Granger wrote, as of 1977, the Lost Dutchman's story had been printed or cited at least six times more often than two other fairly well-known tales, the story of Captain Kidd's lost treasure, and the story of the Lost Pegleg mine in California. The Superstition Mountains and the Legend of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine There are numerous hiking trails that hikers can access from multiple points, one of the more well-known ones being the Peralta Trailhead. Since James Reavis, "the Baron of Arizona", was convicted of fraud when the Peralta family genealogy and other documents to support the land grant (and a barony associated with that land) were determined to be forgeries it also raises questions about the original purchase of the land grant by Dr. George M. Willing Jr. (the transaction had supposedly occurred at a primitive campsite to the southeast of Prescott without the benefit of the typical documentation; instead of a notarized deed, the conveyance was recorded on a piece of greasy camp paper bearing signature of several witnesses). For more macabre tales check out our Top Ten list of haunted spots in Phoenix. The soldiers are alleged to have presented some of the gold, but to have been killed or to have vanished soon after. Trust at your own peril if you dare to tread into HISTORYs Legend of the Superstition Mountains. Up on the mountain, if someone breaks a leg; it will take at least two on the team to get you down; it is dangerous for three healthy climbers, much less one with broken body parts. Many people have dismissed them as a hoax. Check it out! One of the most prominent such tales is that of an affluent mining family from Mexico, the Peraltas, although some versions of the story say they were ranchers. 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. Weiser was the mans best friend and confidant. Yet the mountains and their cursed treasure would get their most well-known mystery with the arrival of a German immigrant named Jacob Walz, also often spelled Waltz, who was a gold prospector in the Phoenix valley in the late 1800s. Very sweet museum with great views of the Superstition Mountains. Hunting for the Lost Dutchman is typically a one-man journey, but lifelong Dutch Hunter Wayne Tuttle is breaking with tradition and partnering with a team of experts to follow a newly revealed clue that could finally solve the 500-year-old mystery of Americas most famous and deadliest buried treasure. Take a cinematic tour to the Superstition Mountains, home of the Lost Dutchman Mine. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. His skull with two bullet holes was recovered about six months after he disappeared. 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." There are many stories about hidden gold in the Superstition Mountains, and these usually mention the Peralta Family. Thorne is said to be either unwilling or unable to relocate the mine. What is the Story Behind the Superstition Mountains - YouTube The glitches that periodically disrupt the footage are also particularly effective. 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. To this end he lived for years among their ranks, learning their ways and tending to their sick and wounded. For the price, this is well worth the visit. Youve come to the ideal place. The soldiers have stalked back to town, fistfuls of gold but their sanity shot, only to die a day later or in one case, murdered while rambling on and on about the, Adolph Ruth is really the amateur explorer and treasure hunter that made the mines into a national phenomenon. https://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/superstition-mountains/index.html, They were once known in Spanish as Sierra de la Espuma . Peralta Stones - Wikipedia Over the next few weeks I will share some images that are safe for us to show. The large wooden structure overlooking the museum is a 100-year-old Cossak 20-stamp ore mill, a state-of-the-art piece of mining equipment that was used around the turn of the century in the West. The Copper State. Im talking Smaug levels of the shiny stuff. The Lost Dutchman Mine, Arizona - Legends of America [1], The Lost Dutchman's is perhaps the most famous lost mine in American history. [19][20] After this was unsuccessful, Thomas and her partners were reported to be selling maps to the mine for $7 each. The Lost Dutchman State Park, which opened in 1977 and has the Peralta Trail, is also a nod at the legend. X while searching for the mines. 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? 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. The story differs but heres the most common take, mind you there are over 100 different versions of the Story. July 3, 1947 James A Cravey, age 62, a retired photographer, was reported missing after he had chartered a helicopter June 19, 1947 to drop him off in the Superstition Mountains to look for the Lost Dutchmans Mine. Very similiar to big foot hunters. 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. Phoenix Ghosts - Superstition Mountains: Ghosts & More Eric "the real deal" Deleel is original from a little town in northern New York called Massena. , Barry Storm declared to have nearly escaped from a mysterious sniper he later called Mr. 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. While popular with campers, hikers, and adventure seekers, these mountains are also known for their exceedingly hot summers, freezing winters, harsh winds, unpredictable storms, treacherous terrain, and mysterious happenings. As early as September 1, 1892, The Arizona Enterprise was reporting on the efforts of Thomas and several others to locate the lost mine whose location was told to her by Waltz. His campsite and vehicle were recovered shortly afterward. People from the town below certain that only death and demons travel acrossSuperstition Mountain at night. Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine - Wikipedia 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. The Peralta Stones are a set of engraved stone tableted works that are approximately 18 inches long and weigh about 25 lbs. The record high temperature is 128 degrees. Famed Apache warrior, 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. VISIT All funds and donations go back into preserving the area. Waltz was buried in Phoenix at what is now called the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park. Cursed, blighted, tainted, whatever you want to call it. We especially liked the large selection of locally mined semi-precious gemstones. but their camera was. 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. The roofs of the cave are blackened from centuries of Native Ameri Go Wildcats! Up until Ruths disastrous expedition, the mines were little more than a footnote in the history of Arizona; one of a thousand so-called. It is easily accessible about 40 miles east of Phoenix via U.S. Highway 60, the Superstition Freeway. In an act of kindness, Throne treats an ailing Apache chieftain. Tales of these other Lost Dutchman's mines can be traced to at least the 1870s. Cravey said he would walk out of the mountains on June 28, 1947. Be sure to have a hat and water because it gets hot when youre walking around the grounds. Get the latest on your favorite shows, plus updates on HISTORY events and more. Is this all just a spooky legend or id there something more to it? The man is barely alive. If you find the above article inaccurate or biased, please let us know at[emailprotected]. Another detail which casts doubt on the story is the fact that, according to Blair, there was never any Dr. Thorne in the employ of the Army or indeed of the Federal Government in the 1860s. Two Pennsylvania Dutchmen, Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser, were prospecting for gold in the area, when, one night, they happened to save a mans life in a bar brawl. Some of you reading this may know a lot, about the Lost Dutchman Goldmine, others may be new to the story of the Lost Dutchman Mine, so before going much further, I will do a very quick overview. Erwin passed the information to his father Adolph, who had a long-standing interest in lost mines and amateur exploration. The closest approximate was a German miner of the PennsylvaniaGerman community. The main thing is that they supposedly accidentally found this ancient Apache treasure somewhere in the mountains, but it was to spell their doom. Admission The neighboursJulia Thomas, Rhinehart Petrasch, and Hermann Petraschspent weeks looking for the gold, but failed to find it. "Dutchman's Gold" was a chart hit in 1960 for, "When the Man Comes, Follow Him" episode of the, "The Peralta Map" episode of the CBS Radio series, The Lost Dutchman Mine ride was a popular attraction at, The Lost Dutchman's Mine features prominently in the, The Lost Dutchmans Mine is the subject of Season 6, Episode 10 of podcast Unexplained. (Doug Dolde / Wikimedia Commons). Most likely because Pedro de Peralta had been the Spanish Governor of New Mexico (in the 1600s) his family name of "Peralta" was the inspiration for a number of legends in the American Southwest. There have been countless such deaths and disappearances in the region over the years, many of them with missing heads or gunshot wounds to the head.