People off his Mine that he cover up with a ironwood tree :The books give me my To this end he lived for years among their ranks, learning their ways and tending to their sick and wounded. After moving to the area, Ruth lingered numerous days at the ranch of Tex Barkely to outfit his expedition. 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.". Over the decades, this tale was gradually absorbed into the Lost Dutchman's story. Dr. 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. The Museum Gallery offers a detailed exploration of the history of this region with artifacts, multi-media, testimonials and docent-led tours. Starring Sage Howard, Andrew Simpson, and Shelby Stehlin. , The Waterbury Democrat. The Superstition Mountains Superstition Mountain has an elevation of 5,024 feet. Get-rich-quick schemes are as American as the Fourth of July. Two prominent landmarks here are the Weavers Needle and the Miners Needle. [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. is, according to folktales, a magnificent, rich, Scrooge McDuck like repository of gold hidden somewhere in southwestern United States. 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. A doctor from Illinois, Doctor Abraham Thorne, provided his service to treat the indigenous people of the Southwest. 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. 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. Around 1860 a German immigrant named Jacob Waltz moved into the Wickenburg Arizona area about 80 miles from Phoenix. After moving to the area, Ruth lingered numerous days at the ranch of Tex Barkely to outfit his expedition. The gift shop also has an indoor museum. Skeptoid Podcast. A found footage thriller inspired on actual events, DARK MOUNTAIN is directed by Tara Anase and written by Tamara Blaich and Tara Anase. These cookies do not store any personal information. In appreciation, Gonzales told Erwin about the Peralta mine in the Superstition Mountains and an antique map of the site. 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. Whether a wedding, elopement,, The amphitheater and other outdoor locations on the Museum's property are available for outdoor events including small catered receptions. And is that information relevant? So let me say it again, the documentation found ON the stones is the most important thing not so much who carved them. Later, he remarked that he had noticed a towering rock formation nearby, but otherwise remained clueless about the whereabouts of the place. 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. 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). The Lost Gold Mine At Superstition Mountain. Ruths response? No suspects or motive were ever found. If you find the above article inaccurate or biased, please let us know at[emailprotected]. Trust at your own peril if you dare to tread into HISTORYs Legend of the Superstition Mountains. Want to climb a perilous cliff? Superstition Mountains and the Lost Dutchman Mine The lost Dutchman Gold mine is generally believed to be somewhere near or in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. Some searchers for the mine have disappeared in likely wilderness accidents. (Latin Heart Reader / Wikimedia Commons). In January 1932, human remains were discovered about three-quarters of a mile (1.21km) from where the skull had been found. Awesome place to visit. [21], Were it not for the death of amateur explorer and treasure hunter Adolph Ruth, the story of the Lost Dutchman's mine would probably have been little more than a footnote in Arizona history as one of hundreds of "lost mines" rumored to be in the American West. Cravey said he would walk out of the mountains on June 28, 1947. Months pass, years some say, until one day Jacob comes back battered and bloody atop a lame mule. In March of 2011, three filmmakers disappeared in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona while documenting their search for the Lost Dutchman mine. The Superstition Mountain Historical Society was formed on December 27, 1979. The man is barely alive. 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. Blair insisted that the Peralta portion of the story is unreliable, writing: "The operation of a gold mine in the Superstitions by a Peralta family is a contrivance of 20th century writers". Read on to find out if you should start planning your trip to a Dark Mountain. (Doug Dolde / Wikimedia Commons). Over the years, subsequent search for the mines has only lead to heartache and death. The lost Dutchman Gold mine is generally believed to be somewhere near or in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. Legend of the Superstition Mountains: With Keenan Johnston, Mark Dodson, Frank Augustine, Wayne Tuttle. Dr. Thorne starts to investigate. Later I will give more details and then begin providing information on how things fit together. Over the next few weeks we will provide some images and photos taken at or very near the site. I feel the information on the Peralta stones is most likely from a very old map of Jesuit origin. X., who seemed to be guarding the area. Skeptoid Media, 29 Jan 2013. Mine records show that one possibly two Peralta family members with possible links connecting them to the 1848 massacre, also worked at the Vulture mine during the same time period as Waltz. [28], One fact against the existence of "Lost Dutchman Mine" is that Waltz was a "placer miner"; while the gold pieces he had were in quartz, the Superstition Mountains are in fact volcanic. Take a cinematic tour to the Superstition Mountains, home of the Lost Dutchman Mine. [27], Throughout the 20th century, various expeditions and individuals continued to search the Superstitions for the Lost Dutchman 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. The glitches that periodically disrupt the footage are also particularly effective. Blair suggested that "fragments of this legend have perhaps become attached to the mythical mine of Jacob Waltz".[6]. Blair suggested that this Waltz could be the same Waltz who later came to be regarded as the legendary Dutchman, and that he Americanized the spelling of his family name. On Valentines Day Elvis was available at the church for weddings. Fact Analysis: Somewhere deep within Arizonas Superstition Mountains lies the most famous lost gold mine in the worldthe Lost Dutchman Mine. These steep, jagged volcanic mountains were formed over 29 million years ago and they cover an area of 160,000 acres. 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. Magill's adventures were chronicled in the book The Killer Mountains, by Curt Gentry. TheLost Dutchmans Gold Mineis, according to folktales, a magnificent, rich, Scrooge McDuck like repository of gold hidden somewhere in southwestern United States. The Top Ten Most Haunted Places in Arizona. The soldiers are alleged to have presented some of the gold, but to have been killed or to have vanished soon after. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. These include Barry Storms book Thunder Gods Gold, published in 1945, detailing his own efforts to find the gold, and the Glen Ford and Ida Lupino movie, Lust for Gold, from 1949. In March of 2011, three filmmakers disappeared in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona while documenting their search for the Lost Dutchman Mine. Superstition Mountain Museum has a large collection of props, sets, posters and memorabilia connected to Western movie and television history. They trek into the mountains. While it is small, it is packed with information and visual stimulation if you enjoy history. The museum itself is clean and well organized for the small space it is currently occupying and boasts loads in local history. As to why his head had been carried off no one knows. The Village exhibit includes two brush structures, some call Wickiups (the Apache people call them Gowah --our home); a cooking area and hide drying rack. 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. [16] A man called Jacob Walz was born in September 1810 in Wrttemberg. In 1977, 292 acres (118ha) abutting the Tonto National Forest were set aside as the Lost Dutchman State Park. Their bodies were never found. 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. And then I finally paid a visit this past weekend and was pleasantly surprised. [12] Thorne related his claims to three U.S. soldiers in about 1858. 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. Take a stroll along the Native Plant Trail or hike the . In June 1931, Ruth set out to find the lost Peralta mine. In fact, after five years including thousands of hours of research and then four expeditions starting in 2015, The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine has been found by Arcana Exploration and Discovery. An alternate view which better fits the lost mine legend is that he periodically appeared with large amounts of gold, The Sterling Legend by Estee Conatser reports that a Jacob Walzer sold $250,000 in gold to the U.S. Mint during the 1880s and had $1500 when he died in 1891. Come on. 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. About Lost Dutchman State Park. 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. The stones are named for an obscure "Peralta family", said to be an old and powerful Mexican family. To underline his great find, he had also written Veni, Vidi, Vici (I came, I saw, and I conquered) in his diary. Three documentary filmmakers set out on a journey into Arizona's Superstition Mountains to uncover the truth about the most famous lost gold mine in the world - the Lost Dutchman Mine, purportedly the home to a treasure worth 200 million dollars. According to the story, the Apaches quickly descended upon the family to ruthlessly slaughter all of them but one, left alive solely to tell the tale not to mess with the lost mine to anyone who would listen. Daughter Actor Vivien Ng On The New Cult Horror Film, Every Frightening New Title Coming to Paramount+ in March, The Number One Horror Show on Netflix For The Month Is A great adaptation of a fantastic series, The Most-Viewed Horror Movie Trailer On YouTube This Week Has Fans All-In, Seeing Red: Enter To Win A Blu-Ray of Joe Begos Christmas Bloody Christmas, Subscribers Find The Latest Shocking Netflix True Crime Documentary Series Unbelievable, July 29th Mesa, AZ (one night only) AMC Mesa Grand 14, 7pm, July 30th Austin, TX (one night only) Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter Lane, 9pm, July 31st = New York, NY (one night only) AMC Loews Village 7, 8:30pm. Afterwards, Waltz fell ill (he was rumored to have contracted pneumonia during the flooding). Over the next few weeks I will share some images that are safe for us to show. 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. A TwinTygr Film. You'll find us in the rugged 160,000 acre Superstition Mountain range in the Tonto National Forest in Central Arizona. Excellent place to learn a lot about the local history of the Superstition Mountains. 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 . This isn't another nauseating, shaky-cam mess. The mountain is also frequented with mysterious sounds that many people have claimed to have heard. 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). 4: Volunteer Coordinator In March of 2011 three filmmakers set out to find the mine and document their entire process. Others, sure that more vile deadly creatures guard the mines. Who killed him and then separated his head from his body remains unknown. There are many stories about hidden gold in the Superstition Mountains, and these usually mention the Peralta Family. [32] Director Earl Bellamy Writer Sam Peckinpah (teleplay and story) Stars Dale Robertson John Litel Myron Healey The search, nevertheless, still continues. [25] Blair noted that the conclusion of the Arizona authorities was rejected by many, including Ruth's family, and "those who held onto the more romantic murdered-for-the-map story". The weather in the Superstition Mountains is notoriously unpredictable, with storms seeming to come out of nowhere and accompanied by abrupt drops in temperatures. The hellhole supposedly also sends out tremendous winds, and these cause the infamous dust storms of the region. 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. 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. Its estimated worth is around 200 million dollars. 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. FREE with paid Adult We arrived at Shaun's house at 7:30 am in St. George Utah. If you need rescued, they will land two miles away and hike in to get you. 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. For the price, this is well worth the visit. 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.