From this base he easily could have worked a gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. In March of 2011, three filmmakers disappeared in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona while documenting their search for the Lost Dutchman mine. 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. Their bodies were never found but their camera was. Magill's adventures were chronicled in the book The Killer Mountains, by Curt Gentry. According to the story, in about 1912 Erwin C. Ruth gave some legal aid to Gonzales, saving him from almost certain imprisonment. All rights reserved. Yep, more footage has been found, kids. Front View of the Peralta Stones. These are tall, volcanic formations in the wilderness and are popular as hiking destinations. [19][20] After this was unsuccessful, Thomas and her partners were reported to be selling maps to the mine for $7 each. 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. No suspects or motive were ever found. The Top Ten Most Haunted Places in Arizona. They even had the old rock crusher up and working. A raspberry into the face of common sense. Image property of Arcana Exploration, photo taken at the Lost Dutchman Museum Apache Junction, Arizona. The weather in the Superstition Mountains is notoriously unpredictable, with storms seeming to come out of nowhere and accompanied by abrupt drops in temperatures. Up until Ruths disastrous expedition, the mines were little more than a footnote in the history of Arizona; one of a thousand so-called lost mines that peppered teh state. 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. Two prominent landmarks here are the Weavers Needle and the Miners Needle. Some carved stones in the area are referred to as "Peralta Stones" and Spanish text and crude maps on them are considered by some to be clues to the location of a Peralta family gold mine in the Superstition Mountains, although others believe the stones to be modern fakes. The Lost Dutchman Mine, Arizona - Legends of America The Lost Dutchman Mine, Arizona Superstition Mountain, Arizona by Kathy Weiser-Alexander One of the best treasure tales in the history of the American West is the Lost Dutchman Mine. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 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). Hanna-Barbara, Jean Giraud, and Don Rosa have incorporated the story in their cartoons. Ruth ended his note with the phrase "Veni, vidi, vici. [13] In most versions of the tale, Jacob Waltz locates a rich gold mine in the Superstition Mountains (in many versions of the story, they rescue or help a member of the Peralta family and are rewarded by being told the location of the mine). There have been tales of, soldiers that are said to have stumbled onto a river of almost pure gold in or near the Superstition Mountains. Legend of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Parts 2 & 3: Finally Found! Hardie agrees to join a father searching for his son who is seeking a lost gold mine in Arizona's Superstition Mountains. But what they actually found has been a hidden secret that people have been trying to piece together for last 125 years. The Superstitions are one of four mountains which mark the ancestral territory of the Apache People. And, where praytell do most folks believe said El Dorado is safely hidden Why, in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction. Some searchers for the mine have disappeared in likely wilderness accidents. In June 1931, Ruth set out to locate the lost Peralta mine. To this end he lived for years among their ranks, learning their ways and tending to their sick and wounded. Wasnt it Dutch? 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Summer Hours In gratitude, Gonzales told Erwin about the Peralta mine in the Superstition Mountains, and gave him some antique maps of the site (Gonzales claimed to be descended from the Peralta family on his mother's side). Cute fun stop for anyone visiting the area to learn more about the history of the area. , Barry Storm declared to have nearly escaped from a mysterious sniper he later called Mr. In his 1945 book about the Lost Dutchmans Mine. Lost Dutchman State Park - Check out the Superstition Mountain and Museum plus the Lost Dutchman State Park.Goldfield Mine Legend tells of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine hidden somewhere. The Lost Dutchmans Mine is featured in Season 1, Episode 21 of the television series Unsolved Mysteries. The episode first aired on April 12, 1989. Reports of inexplicable sounds, sightings, and events have led to claims of supernatural beings and even aliens. In March of 2011, three filmmakers disappeared in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona while documenting their search for the Lost Dutchman mine. Come on. The praying hands formation at the Superstition Mountains range. The Superstition Mountain Historical Society was formed on December 27, 1979. When is the documentary goimg to start back up? It is truly magnificent at twilight., The Apacheland barn figured prominently in dozens of western films and TV western episodes shot at the original Gold Canyon movie ranch. Lights, screams, and shadows of Apache armies have been reported. In 1870, Waltz had a homestead of about 160 acres (0.65km2) near Phoenix where he operated a farm.[18]. I Often Hear That: I'll Share Some With You, TikTok and Its Strange Proliferation of Mysterious Accounts of Skinwalkers, Shamans, Psychedelics, and One Man's mystical Journey in the Amazon to Find a Miracle Cure. In December, 1931, The Arizona Republic reported on the recent discovery of a human skull in the Superstition Mountains. 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. For the first time ever, Arcana Exploration has undeniable physical proof that the mine exists, proof that is to say, photographic physical documentation that many of the generally excepted clues, are in fact real and do exist and are physically present in one location. Months pass, years some say, until one day Jacob comes back battered and bloody atop a lame mule. The only thing slightly off the cuff, is that three of them do ride their Harleys from central Ohio to Sturgis and back on a regular basis, but more about them later. The University of Arizona is the oldest college in the state, existing before Arizona achieved statehood. There have been tales ofU.S. Armysoldiers that are said to have stumbled onto a river of almost pure gold in or near the Superstition Mountains. [12] Thorne related his claims to three U.S. soldiers in about 1858. The Superstition Mountain Museum collects, preserves and displays the artifacts, history and folklore of the Superstition Mountain region and the Apache Junction area. 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. 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. There were also strange stories among the Apache of a magnificent, hidden cavern full of gold, said to be a vast treasure long buried within the mountains and protected by spirits, troll-like beasts called Tuar-Tums, and even their Thunder God himself. These cookies do not store any personal information. [1], The Lost Dutchman's is perhaps the most famous lost mine in American history. They trek into the mountains. So let me say it again, the documentation found ON the stones is the most important thing not so much who carved them. Take a stroll along the Native Plant Trail or hike the . The stories differ from here onward. Everyone else? A doctor from Illinois, Doctor Abraham Thorne, provided his service to treat the indigenous people of the Southwest. 4087 East Apache Trail This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Brent Swancer is an author and crypto expert living in Japan. 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. Non one really knows, but the answers just may lie out there in the desolate reaches of those desert badlands. Everything is well-maintained, and the staff are without exception friendly and helpful. The area is basically a free-for-all for wilderness lovers. Don Miguel Peralta was the head of a powerful and wealthy Mexican family from Sonora, and they were either ranchers or operated mines or did both. Anyway, the great west after Grant decided to Manifest Destiny and promote those great plains maybe theyll forget all that Civil War squabble if they start to settle into lands without so much emotional baggage tended to promote El Dorado like tales. Walking along tyre tracks saying they are in the middle of nowhere at a treasure location. The story differs but heres the most common take, mind you there are over 100 different versions of the Story. The Pennsylvania Dutch Country. And the answer is absolutely yes! More please. The Apaches told him he could grab as much of the gold as he could carry on his person, which he did before being led back out, never knowing the precise location, although he did mention a sharp peak of rock, which is thought to have perhaps been Weavers Needle, a popular landmark in the area. The park offers 134 campsites, each with a picnic table, barbeque grill, and fire pit, and 68 equipped with electric hook-ups and water. [12] The three soldiers set out to find the gold, but without success. In 1977, 292 acres (118ha) abutting the Tonto National Forest were set aside as the Lost Dutchman State Park. There were other weird clues found about the body, such as the presence of two bullet holes to the skull from shots fired at point blank range, and it was speculated that he had perhaps been killed for his secret knowledge or committed suicide, but there was no weapon found. Instead, he went missing and his skull was found 6 months later with two large circular holes. This is only speculation, what I do know is that, people who have dismissed the information on the stones, no matter who carved the stones, those non believers have been badly mistaken. Some have died on the search. The Apaches were either enraged over the violation of their sacred mountains or wanted to steal the gold from them. Over the next few weeks I will share some images that are safe for us to show. Waltz is attacked and wounded by marauding Apaches, but survives at least long enough to tell a man called Dr. Walker about the mine. In the version in which the Apaches killed the Peralta Family, the surviving member then went on to get embroiled in a brawl fight years later. 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. This account is usually dated to about 1870. As predicted by Waltz none are miners, they are in fact like most folks that are reading this post, just regular hard-working everyday folks with normal jobs, going to their kids ball games, playing a round of golf, and in the fall deer hunting and going to Blue Jackets NHL games. Waltz is also said to make a deathbed confession to Julia Thomas, and draws or describes a crude map to the gold mine. Then his body would finally be found wedged into a remote and inaccessible crevice, with the official cause of death a mystery. Though the remains had been scattered by scavengers, they were undoubtedly Ruth's.