Over the decades, this tale was gradually absorbed into the Lost Dutchman's story. Erwin passed the information to his father Adolph, who had a long-standing interest in lost mines and amateur exploration. 3: Gift Shop and Event Manager Dave McElligott 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. Cute fun stop for anyone visiting the area to learn more about the history of the area. Superstition Mountain hasan elevation of 5,024 feet. Since Ruth's death, there have been several other deaths or disappearances in the Superstition Mountains. The Apache warriors who had massacred them are then said to have reburied the entrance to this enormous trove of gold, and to this day the area where this is believed to have happened has been labeled the Massacre Grounds, and there are other places names that denote this grim history such as Massacre Falls and others. The hellhole supposedly also sends out tremendous winds, and these cause the infamous dust storms of the region. Superstition Mountain Museum is located in an area full of legend, history and intrigue. I will make a statement in the near future that will surprise a lot of Dutch Hunters it surprised me. How he knew all of this no one knows, but one rumor has it that he learned the secret location of this massive stash of gold from the sole surviving Peralta family member. The praying hands formation at the Superstition Mountains range. Who killed him and then separated his head from his body remains unknown. [12] Thorne related his claims to three U.S. soldiers in about 1858. 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. However, Ruth ignored Barkely's advice, and set out for a two-week stint in the mountains. Then later the Mexicans including the powerful Peralta family made forays to the area from Sonora and are believed to have had 18 gold mines in the Supers. After moving to the area, Ruth lingered numerous days at the ranch of Tex Barkely to outfit his expedition. There have been many books, films, and cartoons about the Lost Gold of the Superstition Mountains. In the weeks and months to come we will use much of the historical information, and show how it ties directly to what we have found. Seniors $6.00 (65 and older) Years later, a man called Dr. Thorne treats an ailing or wounded Apache (often alleged to be a chieftain) and is rewarded with a trip to a rich gold mine. 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. He's written articles for MU and Daily Grail and has been a guest on Coast to Coast AM and Binnal of America. According to these legends, this treasure was almost never seen by mortal eyes, at least not by anyone who lived to tell about it, but there are some tales of outsiders stumbling across it. In-Season The Superstition Mountains and the Legend of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine The blindfold is taken off, the shine of the yellow stuff rattles Thornes mind, the chieftain speaks, Take as much gold ore as you can carry.. Unexplained Deaths, Disappearances, and a Cursed Treasure in Arizona More please. It was the fifth-largest fire in Arizonas history, it raged for over a month, despite the strenuous containment efforts of over 600 firefighters. Monday Sunday The mine is named after German immigrant Jakob Waltz (c. 18101891), who purportedly discovered it in the 19th century and kept its location a secret. In June 1931, Ruth set out to locate the lost Peralta mine. We have imaging taken, with Go-pros, Sony 7000s; Osmo stabilized film cameras and Dji Phantom and Bee-bop drones. Awesome place to visit. The Lost Dutchman State Park, which opened in 1977 and has the Peralta Trail, is also a nod at the legend. As with most of the terrain encompassing the Phoenix metropolitan area, and the Superstition Mountains, have a desert environment, with scorching summer temperatures and sparse sources of water. 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 . Indeed, in the decades since Waltz made his mysterious proclamation of the mine public, there have been numerous earnest attempts to try and track it down, and these have the sinister habit of meeting rather gruesome ends. The Dutchman Project | Indiegogo In this case the body was found first, with the rest of the body following a full 6 months later. Finally - The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Is Found! 6 episodes that go absolutely nowhere. He was then led along a harsh, meandering route of an estimated 20 miles, after which they removed the blindfold and he was met with the sight of a pile of gold sparkling in the sun near an entrance into the presumed lost mine. Some people believe they indicate the location of the famed Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine, in Arizona, United States. The stories differ from here onward. Waltz relocated to Arizona in the 1860s, and stayed in the territory for most of the rest of his life. Yet there are still all of these mysterious disappearances and death, these enigmatic decapitated corpses and their bullet-ridden heads. Whether a wedding, elopement,, The amphitheater and other outdoor locations on the Museum's property are available for outdoor events including small catered receptions. Come on. 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. Combine these with the legends of the indigenous Pima Indians and the mountains live up to their name. In 2003, a beautiful new museum, composed of an exhibit gallery and a gift shop and a small office, was dedicated and opened at 4087 E. Apache Trail (State Route 88). Later, he remarked that he had noticed a towering rock formation nearby, but otherwise remained clueless about the whereabouts of the place. The Supers are east northeast of Phoenix. The museum does not disappoint! Jacob, meanwhile, the lone survivor, is near catatonic. In the year 1870, with his consent, they blindfolded him and took him on a 20-mile trip to an unknown location piled with gold ore. The Superstitions Mountains lie within the Tonto National wildlife refuge and consist of 242 square miles not counting other designated and preserved areas that boarder the Tonto National Forest and wildlife refuge. The neighboursJulia Thomas, Rhinehart Petrasch, and Hermann Petraschspent weeks looking for the gold, but failed to find it. Others that it was the ghost of the Peraltas. For more macabre tales check out our Top Ten list of haunted spots in Phoenix. Thorne sold the ore for $6000 and became a wealthy man. The area is filled with ghost tales, monster encounters, and, yes you cant have spooky mountains without an alien highway UFOs. Everything is well-maintained, and the staff are without exception friendly and helpful. The men must deal with a lack of water and the fact that the map leads him into lands held sacred by the Apaches. 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). One of these was a veterinarian and treasure hunter named Adolf Ruth, who in 1931 made his way to these wind-swept wilds, armed with what he at the time claimed to be the actual original map to it. Since Ruths death, there have been numerous other deaths or disappearances in the Superstition Mountains. Take a stroll along the Native Plant Trail or hike the . The soldiers are alleged to have presented some of the gold, but to have been killed or to have vanished soon after. [9] As of 1975, ruins of the Peralta mine were standing.[9]. The average high temperature in June, July and August, is 104 degrees. Furthermore, Wilburn stated that geology indicates that there is no gold in the Superstition Mountains, which are igneous in origin. 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. Wasnt it Dutch? According to the account, 1912 Erwin C. Ruth gave s Gonzales legal aid, saving the riff-raff from almost certain imprisonment. 4: Volunteer Coordinator Searching for The Gold of the Lost Dutchman Mine in Superstition Mountain The Superstition Mountains are a mountain range east of Phoenix and are known for their picturesque volcanic peaks and and jagged canyons. 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. 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. Waltz would claim to have been out prospecting when he had come across an unimaginably vast vein of gold out in the mountains, curiously supposedly near Weavers Needle. The headline that entangles those mountains in macabre tales and sinister ghost fantasies is the legend of the Lost Dutchmans Gold Mine. Many people have dismissed them as a hoax. It is here were you will reach areas that are barely penetrable, this is where most trails stop abruptly for safety reasons. The Grand Canyon State. 4087 East Apache Trail Walking along tyre tracks saying they are in the middle of nowhere at a treasure location. He turned out to be the surviving Peralta, and, to express his gratitude, he gave them directions to his familys gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. Because of what we have discovered at the site, Arcana Exploration believes we have proof for the first time that there is a common link between Waltz and the Peraltas. He would vanish into thin air for his efforts. Find a wide array of distinctive and unique items including books, apparel, local Native American arts and crafts and seasonal gift selections. This account is usually dated to about 1870. Hes led back to town and the tale spreads like wildfire. (2004). Get the latest on your favorite shows, plus updates on HISTORY events and more. The Top Ten Most Haunted Places in Arizona. With cursed mountains said to drive men mad and a hidden fortune of gold worth killing for, the treasure hunters greatest danger may be the man at his side. In December of 1949 a man named James Kidd vanished without a trace in the area as well. Their bodies were never found, but their camera was." "Tales of Wells Fargo" Apache Gold (TV Episode 1957) - IMDb Back in those days, the American term for German was Deutsh one misspelling here, an illiterate vagrant telling tall tales over there, a shoddy reporter, and Deutsh suddenly transformed into Dutch. Afterwards, Waltz fell ill (he was rumored to have contracted pneumonia during the flooding). 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. The breathable air on some surfaces actually gets even hotter; this is the biggest killer in the Superstition Mountains and dont forget the rattle snakes, scorpions, tarantula spiders, Gila monsters plus huge mountain lions and dozens of other things that will take your life. 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. Ruth did not return as scheduled, and no trace of him could be found after a brief search. He is blindfolded and taken there by a circuitous route, and is allowed to take as much gold ore as he can carry before again being escorted blindfolded from the site by the Apaches. These cookies do not store any personal information. A beautiful site just below the western edge of the Superstition Mountains was found and obtained. 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Summer Hours Lots to see on site from a barn, trains, petting zoo on Saturdays, little gift shop, and a labyrinth and even a chapel dedicated to Elvis. 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. Many believe there is a connection and that they sold their families mine to Waltz and his partner. , Barry Storm declared to have nearly escaped from a mysterious sniper he later called Mr. A raspberry into the face of common sense. The elder Ruth had fallen and badly broken several bones while seeking the lost Pegleg mine in California. 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. STSTW Media strives to deliver accurate information through careful research. Weavers Needle, a peak located in the Superstition Mountains. 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. See production, box office & company info. In appreciation, Gonzales told Erwin about the Peralta mine in the Superstition Mountains and an antique map of the site. 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. Director Tara Anase Writers Tara Anase (story) Tamara Blaich (story) Stars Ron Eagle D'Andre II Adam Haley Sage Howard 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 . Some places have long been thought to be simply no good. Everyone else? We at Arcana Exploration believe we can show that this was later worked by Jacob Waltz, and after his death came to be known as the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine. Trust at your own peril if you dare to tread into HISTORYs Legend of the Superstition Mountains. Hike to Praying Hands in Lost Dutchman State Park - The Outbound The University of Arizona is the oldest college in the state, existing before Arizona achieved statehood. There was indeed a Jacob Waltz who emigrated to the U.S. from Germany. (Latin Heart Reader / Wikimedia Commons). T Just a few miles south of Tucson lies Colossal Cave, an often overlooked natural landmark with well over a thousand years of history. The lost Dutchman Gold mine is generally believed to be somewhere near or in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. Adults $7.00 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. Some certain that the natives killed the party. After traveling to the region, Ruth stayed several days at the ranch of Tex Barkely to outfit his expedition. The location is generally believed to be in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction, east of Phoenix, Arizona. Facility Information | Lost Dutchman State Park And, where praytell do most folks believe said El Dorado is safely hidden Why, in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction. His body has never been found. 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. There have been other mysterious and ominous disappearances as well, including an abandoned campsite found in the mountains in 1958 complete with blood-soaked blankets, but no bodies and no suspect. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The early Spanish the Peraltas the Jesuits and many others all came to the Superstition Mountains looking for legendary gold. Yep, more footage has been found, kids. 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.". It is easily accessible about 40 miles east of Phoenix via U.S. Highway 60, the Superstition Freeway. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "The St. Johns herald. The Lost Dutchman Mine is said to be a rich goldmine located somewhere in the southwestern American state of Arizona. Biology, nature, and cryptozoology still remain Brent Swancers first intellectual loves. Members of the Apache tribe were said to have a truly valuable gold mine located in the Superstition Mountains. To this end he lived for years among their ranks, learning their ways and tending to their sick and wounded. He would take this secret location practically to his grave, but as he lie dying from a bout of pneumonia in 1891 he allegedly told all, laying out the secret location of the lost and cursed Apache treasure, giving detailed but cryptic instructions on how to navigate the rough terrain to the entrance, as well as scrawling out a crude map to it all as he lay on his deathbed. [10] Trouble came after Willing learned that the deed was entirely bogus. In March of 2011, three filmmakers disappeared in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona while documenting their search for the Lost Dutchman mine. And then I finally paid a visit this past weekend and was pleasantly surprised. 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. Then around 1692, the Jesuit padre father Eusebio Francisco Kino arrived. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. The Lost Dutchman Mine, Arizona - Legends of America There are a lot of terrific shots and brilliantly edited moments -- especially, the opening montage as the characters drive to the Superstition Mountains. After an intensive search, Ruths skull was was found at the bottom of a remote ravine, sitting out there all alone in the unforgiving desert. Superstition Mountain - Wikipedia The mine is named after German immigrant Jacob Waltz,18101891. 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. Somewhere deep within Arizonas Superstition Mountains lies the most famous lost gold mine in the worldthe Lost Dutchman Mine. It is generally accepted that the Peraltas and roughly 400 peon miners were massacred by the Apaches sometime around 1848. Dr. All rights reserved. DARK MOUNTAIN (2013) "In March of 2011, three filmmakers disappeared in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona while documenting their search for the Lost Dutchman 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. It is rumoured that if the stones are put together in the right way, they are a map to the Peralta Familys gold deposits. Named after the fabled lost gold mine, Lost Dutchman State Park is located in the Sonoran Desert, at the base of the Superstition Mountains, only 40 miles east of Phoenix. Producers included Tamara Blaich, Jennifer Harrington, and Megan Peterson with cinematography by Pyongson Yim and editing by Jennifer Harrington. People from the town below certain that only death and demons travel across Superstition Mountain at night. Cravey said he would walk out of the mountains on June 28, 1947. There May Be a Long-Lost Gold Mine in the Arizona Mountains - Discovery Barkely repeatedly urged Ruth to abandon his search for the mine, because the terrain of the Superstition Mountains was treacherous even for experienced outdoorsmen, let alone for the 66-year-old Ruth in the heat of the Arizona summer. This is their turf and only the highly experienced and prepared should venture forward. 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. October through April Long before Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and grifter-socialite Anna Delvey, we had the Gold Rush and even today, plenty of Americans are still fixated on an either long-lost or fictional gold mine in Arizona's Superstition Mountains.For more than a century, adventurous souls have sought the Lost Dutchman Mine, and since 1891 . Others that it was Waltz. 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. Come on down! In March of 2011 three filmmakers set out to find the mine and document their entire process. Ruths response? In 1977, 292 acres (118ha) abutting the Tonto National Forest were set aside as the Lost Dutchman State Park. Mysteries Of The Superstition Mountains - Grunge.com The Copper State. Is someone or something trying to keep this treasure hidden? Ruth ignored Barkelys help and set out for a two-week stint into cliffs. The Legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine - C&I Magazine Hanna-Barbara, Jean Giraud, and Don Rosa have incorporated the story in their cartoons. 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day and Easter. In an act of kindness, Throne treats an ailing Apache chieftain. Subscribe Today! Near Apache Junction, Arizona there is a place called the Supersition Mountains where legends and superstitions come alive to tell their ghostly tales. The chieftain, overtaken by the act, blindfolds the doctor and takes him on a trip to the mines. Mystic Arizona: Discover the Mysterious Supersition Mountains Where Admission According to the story, in about 1912 Erwin C. Ruth gave some legal aid to Gonzales, saving him from almost certain imprisonment. Here he worked at the Vulture Mine as a paid miner. And, where praytell do most folks believe said El Dorado is safely hidden Why, in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction. Gone. The story differs but heres the most common take, mind you there are over 100 different versions of the Story. Erwin gave the data to his father Adolph. 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. In March of 2011, three filmmakers disappeared in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona while documenting their search for the Lost Dutchman Mine. These are rectangular, cross-shaped, and heart-shaped stones with etchings of a horse, a priest, a dagger, a trail, topographic features, and Spanish inscriptions. Superstition Mountain at night. It is believed that all were killed except for two Peralta family members who were severely wounded but managed to escape. In December, 1931, The Arizona Republic reported on the recent discovery of a human skull in the Superstition Mountains. Much of the truth has laid obscured in old Spanish, Jesuit and Catholic Church documentation, including maps, expedition journals, and diaries and in many cases with those buried in long ago lost and forgotten graves. Legend of the Superstition Mountains - The HISTORY Channel A lack of historical records leaves uncertainty as to whether a Peralta family ever had possession of land, or mines, in or near the Superstition Mountains. He was remembered as having been obsessed with finding the mine for several years. In January 1932, human remains were discovered about three-quarters of a mile (1.21km) from where the skull had been found. 1: Recorded description of the museum. [12] The three soldiers set out to find the gold, but without success. 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. Students 11-17 $4.00 In March of 2011, three filmmakers disappeared in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona while documenting their search for the Lost Dutchman mine. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. Others, sure that more vile deadly creatures guard the mines. The family is later attacked and butchered in the so-called, Jacob, meanwhile, the lone survivor, is near catatonic. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 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 land grant was the basis of the James Reavis Arizona land swindle (Reavis became Willing's partner and continued to try to prove the authenticity of the land grant for years after Willing's death). 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). How To Get Unbanned From Rec Room, Martha Scott Obituary, Monohybrid Cross Calculator, What Happened To Erika Casher?, Wilson Middle School Yearbook, Articles F