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. 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). The multi-acre museum site soon saw the addition of a historic Cossack 20-Stamp . Keep in mind for security reasons for now I have to be selective on what we divulge. Skeptoid Podcast. Up until Ruths disastrous expedition, the mines were little more than a footnote in the history of Arizona; one of a thousand so-called. Capens corpse was found three years later in November 2012 by a local search and rescue organization, stuffed into a crevice. There are a lot of terrific shots and brilliantly edited moments -- especially, the opening montage as the characters drive to the Superstition Mountains. After moving to the area, Ruth lingered numerous days at the ranch of Tex Barkely to outfit his expedition. 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. Hanna-Barbara, Jean Giraud, and Don Rosa have incorporated the story in their cartoons. In March of 2011, three filmmakers disappeared in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona while documenting their search for the Lost Dutchman mine. Top Ten list of haunted spots in Phoenix. We arrived at Shaun's house at 7:30 am in St. George Utah. 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 stories differ from here onward. Some have died on the search. (However, in some versions,[14] the 'mine' is actually a cache put there by the Peraltas.). 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. His skull with two bullet holes was recovered about six months after he disappeared. Many believe there is a connection and that they sold their families mine to Waltz and his partner. Yes, the deserts of Arizona carry a spooky secret. 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. Who killed him and then separated his head from his body remains unknown. Take a stroll along the Native Plant Trail or hike the . At the low elevations, you will encounter tall saguaro cactusand Ponderosa pines at higher levels, and these are generally near the streams. My husband has been enthralled with all the wonderful tales of the mountains since his college days a long time ago. Reports of inexplicable sounds, sightings, and events have led to claims of supernatural beings and even aliens. Mysteries of the Superstition Mountains 30.3K subscribers 251K views 2 years ago Ever heard of the Hermit of the Superstition Mountains or wondered what the legend was behind calling Elisha. The promise of a $200 million mother . 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. In the 1800's, a german goldhunter named Jacob Waitz discovered a huge goldmine within the mountains that has since been named the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine (German <- > The Netherlands; let . Im talking Smaug levels of the shiny stuff. 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. DARK MOUNTAIN is the chilling reconstruction from their footage of their last days. The Lost Dutchman State Park, which opened in 1977 and has the Peralta Trail, is also a nod at the legend. In June 1931, Ruth set out to locate the lost Peralta mine. The story differs but heres the most common take, mind you there are over 100 different versions of the Story. He pursued mining and prospecting, but seems to have had little luck with either. each. As to why his head had been carried off no one knows. Magill's adventures were chronicled in the book The Killer Mountains, by Curt Gentry. The museum does not disappoint! The Valentine State. Fact Analysis: Dr. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Finally did a little digging and it sounded interesting. Theyre filled to the brim with ghosts and spirits. 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. All rights reserved. A found footage thriller inspired on actual events, DARK MOUNTAIN is directed by Tara Anase and written by Tamara Blaich and Tara Anase. 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 more macabre tales check out our Top Ten list of haunted spots in Phoenix. ZERO ZIP NADA!! For the price, this is well worth the visit. (2004). 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. He died on October 25, 1891, after having been nursed by an acquaintance named Julia Thomas (she was usually described as a quadroon). 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. Next week I will list some clues that are absolutely relevant to what we have physically on site. Later, he remarked that he had noticed a towering rock formation nearby, but otherwise remained clueless about the whereabouts of the place. This tale involves two German men, Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser. In June 1931, Ruth set out to find the lost Peralta mine. Please note that admission prices for Special Events are subject to change. These trails traverse from the desert floor up into the edges of the mountains. Waltz is attacked and wounded by marauding Apaches, but survives at least long enough to tell a man called Dr. Walker about the mine. Thorne claimed that he was taken captive by Navajos in 1854, and that during his captivity he had discovered a rich gold vein. Tries to portray danger and incidentin fact nothing going on. You came here for the nasty bits that are constantly swept under the rug. As Curt Gentry wrote, "Dr. Hrdlicka positively identified the skull as that of Adolph Ruth. The elder Ruth had fallen and badly broken several bones while seeking the lost Pegleg mine in California. In-Season , Barry Storm declared to have nearly escaped from a mysterious sniper he later called Mr. [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). Some people believe they indicate the location of the famed Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine, in Arizona, United States. The earliest documentation of him in the U.S. is an 1848 affidavit in which Waltz declared himself to be "about 38 years old". 9 May 2022. Gone. Others, sure that more vile deadly creatures guard the mines. Weavers Needle, a peak located in the Superstition Mountains. And, amazingly, a few of these people were also found in the same headless state as Adolph Ruth. When is the documentary goimg to start back up? 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 . 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. Generally speaking, this mine is claimed to be situated in the Superstition Mountains, described by one source as "a collection of rough terrain that has gained the name of a single mountain" which lies to the east of Phoenix, the Arizonan capital. Other storytellers claim that the Peralta Family escaped with gold, but another family died in the massacre. Most recently, in 2009 there was a would-be treasure hunter by the name of Jesse Capen, a 35-year old bellhop from Denver who was in his free time by all accounts fascinated and obsessed with the legend of the Lost Dutchmans mine. 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. They were supposedly dug up in the desert, in area east of Gold canyon and Tucson in the late 1940s byTravis E Tomlinson. [volume], October 11, 1933, Page NINE, Image 9, "Arizona desert searched for missing Denver man seeking gold mine", "Mother of missing treasure hunter holds onto hope", "Body of man who hunted legendary 'Lost Dutchman's' gold mine believed found in Arizona mountains", "3 Utah men still missing on Arizona treasure hunt", "3 Search for men looking for Lost Dutchman's gold suspended", "More remains found in Superstitions; may be hiker's", "Escape - When The Man Comes, Follow Him", "The Lost Dutchman's Mine History and Bibliography", Arizona Mining Scams and Unassayable Ore Projects of the Late 20th Century, "Skeptoid #347: The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lost_Dutchman%27s_Gold_Mine&oldid=1137505190. German? [42] The park was expanded to 320 acres (130ha) in 1983. 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. 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. The staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable and I am looking forward to returning with my kids. Yep, more footage has been found, kids. 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." The Grand Canyon State. The rest of his remains were found a month later about a mile away. Then around 1692, the Jesuit padre father Eusebio Francisco Kino arrived. Lights, screams, and shadows of Apache armies have been reported. Lights, screams, and shadows of Apache armies have been reported. 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. 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. 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. In January 2011, three sets of remains assumed to be those of the lost men were retrieved. Pingback: Legend of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Parts 2 & 3: Finally Found! 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. Image property of Arcana Exploration, photo taken at the Lost Dutchman Museum Apache Junction, Arizona. James Reavis tried to assert that the Peralta family had a Spanish land grant and a barony granted by the King of Spain, which included a huge swath of Arizona and New Mexico, including 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. Superstition Mountain hasan elevation of 5,024 feet. Richman, Irwin. In an act of kindness, Throne treats an ailing Apache chieftain. Many people have died trying to find it over the years, and, even with all the modern technology at our disposal today, the exact location of the mine in the vast wilderness still remains an enigma. Here he worked at the Vulture Mine as a paid miner. 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. 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. 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. Skeptoid Media, 29 Jan 2013. It is easily accessible about 40 miles east of Phoenix via U.S. Highway 60, the Superstition Freeway. The mysterious deaths and disappearances go on and on. In June 1931, Ruth set out to find the lost Peralta mine. In 1977, 292 acres (118ha) abutting the Tonto National Forest were set aside as the Lost Dutchman State Park. In late November or early December 2009, Denver, Colorado citizen Jesse Capen disappeared in the Tonto National Forest. 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. Yet it is also a place of fabled mysteries, talk of dark curses, strange disappearances and deaths, high strangeness, and a secret treasure that it allegedly holds close to it, reluctant to ever give it up. [19][20] After this was unsuccessful, Thomas and her partners were reported to be selling maps to the mine for $7 each. 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 mine is named after German immigrant Jacob Waltz,18101891. Here is a place of sprawling rugged wilderness, encompassing the Superstition Wilderness Area and drawing in hikers, rock climbers, campers, and all manner of those looking to enjoy the natural splendor and outdoor activities on offer. The mine is named after German immigrant Jacob Waltz,18101891. 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]. [10] Trouble came after Willing learned that the deed was entirely bogus. Web. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. [7] A man named Miguel Peralta and his family did operate a successful mine in the 1860s but near Valencia, California, not in Arizona. The Dutchman " was a German immigrant named Jacob Waltz. While it is small, it is packed with information and visual stimulation if you enjoy history. If you find the above article inaccurate or biased, please let us know at[emailprotected]. Come on. 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The stones are named for an obscure "Peralta family", said to be an old and powerful Mexican family. 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. 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 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. Instead, he went missing and his skull was found 6 months later with two large circular holes. In a few scenes the characters are shown wearing their packs while walking one moment, and not wearing them the next. 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. The newcomers, thus, became the Pennsylvania Dutch. Get-rich-quick schemes are as American as the Fourth of July. The Pima Indians famously feared the mountain that they knew as Ain-we-gophon (Superstition Mountain). His campsite and vehicle were recovered shortly afterward. Cravey said he would walk out of the mountains on June 28, 1947. As the mountains have a desert climate and few water resources, there is not much vegetation here. (Doug Dolde / Wikimedia Commons). January 1933 a Mining electrican named J.A. To begin with, there was never any real Dutchman involved with the lost gold mine. 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. Director Tara Anase Writers Tara Anase (story) Tamara Blaich (story) Stars Ron Eagle D'Andre II Adam Haley Sage Howard 4: Volunteer Coordinator Producers included Tamara Blaich, Jennifer Harrington, and Megan Peterson with cinematography by Pyongson Yim and editing by Jennifer Harrington. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Legend of the Superstition Mountains: With Keenan Johnston, Mark Dodson, Frank Augustine, Wayne Tuttle. The two Jacobs found the gold but refused to tell anyone else where it was. 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. We provide an historical context that includes the region's Native American people, the life of early western settlers, local geology and industry as well as the legends promoted through film and media. A must see if you are by the Superstition Mountains. Blair argued that this Peralta story (well known to Arizona residents) was eventually incorporated in the Lost Dutchman's story, in a severely distorted version, following the renewed interest in the Lost Dutchman's mine in the 1930s. We have imaging taken, with Go-pros, Sony 7000s; Osmo stabilized film cameras and Dji Phantom and Bee-bop drones. To this end he lived for years among their ranks, learning their ways and tending to their sick and wounded. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The Native Apache people of the area had already long held this as a rather sinister scared place even before outsiders came in to settle the land. Blair cited evidence of the historical Jacob Waltz and suggested that additional evidence supports the core elements of the story that Waltz claimed to have discovered (or at least heard the story of) a rich gold vein or cache. 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. Others that it was Waltz. No sign of the filmmakers themselves has been found to date. Monday Sunday Front View of the Peralta Stones. 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. We especially liked the large selection of locally mined semi-precious gemstones. 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. Be sure to have a hat and water because it gets hot when youre walking around the grounds. Thorne sold the ore for $6000 and became a wealthy man. Blair contended that this story can be divided into "hawk" and "dove" versions, depending on whether the German(s) are said to behave violently or peacefully. "The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine." Admission Treasure hunting at Superstition Mountains Arizona - The Lost Dutchman's Mine. Jacob Waltz, the Dutchman, a mischievous canard if ever there was one, becomes obsessed with the mine. Erwin gave the data to his father Adolph. Then his body would finally be found wedged into a remote and inaccessible crevice, with the official cause of death a mystery. And importantly I have hard facts that the Stones are linked to other historical information. Whether a wedding, elopement,, The amphitheater and other outdoor locations on the Museum's property are available for outdoor events including small catered receptions. Famed Apache Geronimo is sometimes mentioned in relation to this story. The earliest Lost Dutchman's mine in Arizona was said to have been near Wickenburg, about 180km (110mi) north-west of the Superstition Mountains: a "Dutchman" was allegedly discovered dead in the desert near Wickenburg in the 1870s alongside saddlebags filled with gold. Superstition Mountain Museum has a large collection of props, sets, posters and memorabilia connected to Western movie and television history. Want to feel like youre in a horror movie and quite possibly high on Peyote? 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. Since the turn of the twentieth century, thousands of people have scoured the mountains in search of it, hundreds have lost their lives in the process, but not one has returned with an ounce of gold. Going on a year now. For the next 20 years, he falls in and out of consciousness, whenever he wakes its just garbled speak and horrific tales; hes enveloped in kaleidoscopic delirium, Over the years, subsequent search for the mines has only lead to heartache and death. Randomly stopped by on my way home from Lost Dutchman State Park and I was super happy I did! Everything is well-maintained, and the staff are without exception friendly and helpful. 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. 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. Dr. George M. Willing Jr. paid Peralta $20,000 for the mining rights for an enormous swath of land about 3,000,000 acres (12,000km2) in southern Arizona and New Mexico based on a deed originally granted by the Spanish Empire in the 18th century. To determine if the skull was Ruth's, it was examined by Dr. Ale Hrdlika, a well-respected anthropologist who was given several photos of Ruth, along with Ruth's dental records. [27], Throughout the 20th century, various expeditions and individuals continued to search the Superstitions for the Lost Dutchman Mine. This account is usually dated to about 1870. OH, I almost forgot there is no cell phone service absolutely none. He was remembered as having been obsessed with finding the mine for several years. 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. In 1870, Waltz had a homestead of about 160 acres (0.65km2) near Phoenix where he operated a farm.[18]. Then the Apaches killed Jacob Weiser,or according to some, Waltz himself did it. They believed that the entrance to the underworld itself lay somewhere in among these peaks, and that powerful spirits roamed the withered landscape. Want to climb a perilous cliff? During Kinos time other Missionaries in California and Mexico were jealous and suspicious of Kino because, while they were poor and struggled his missions were rich and flourished, they said he had a secret gold mine from which he took rich gold and funded his missions and rancheros amassing 50 thousand head of cattle making him the Southwests first mega rancher.