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. STSTW Media strives to deliver accurate information through careful research. The search, nevertheless, still continues. 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. 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. Superstition Mountain Museum has a large collection of props, sets, posters and memorabilia connected to Western movie and television history. Both fabled and mythical, they have helped to drive the legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine. Even though some have said the stones story is much older (it is true the source information is likely much older) than the Dutchmans time and therefor there is no connection, they are going to be slapping themselves in the face trying to overcome their denial when they realize the stones leadto the same birds nest. The legend of the lost gold continued to attract people, and, in 1932, a veterinarian in the Park Service, Adolph Ruth, decided to go treasure hunting. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "The St. Johns herald. All Rights Reserved. Ruths son Erwin C. Ruth heard of the Peralta mine from a man called Pedro Gonzales. In yet another version of the tale, two (or more) U.S. Army soldiers are said to have discovered a vein of almost pure gold in or near the Superstition Mountains. 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". 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. Two prominent landmarks here are the Weavers Needle and the Miners Needle. And importantly I have hard facts that the Stones are linked to other historical information. Barkely urged Ruth to abandon his search for the mine: the area and the mines cursed and full of devils.. Weiser was the mans best friend and confidant. 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. The Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine (also known by similar names) is, according to legend, a rich gold mine hidden in the southwestern United States. TheSuperstition Mountains, furthermore, are the abode of the Thunder God, and he causes the frequent regional thunderstorms. The staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable and I am looking forward to returning with my kids. In June 1931, Ruth set out to find the lost Peralta mine. DARK MOUNTAIN is the chilling reconstruction from their footage of their last days. [4], Robert Blair wrote "[t]here have been at least four legendary Lost Dutchman's gold mines in the American West, including the famed Superstition mine of Jacob Waltz". 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. However, things can go wrong. [3] Former Arizona Attorney General Robert K. Corbin is among those who have looked for the mine. However, Ruth ignored Barkely's advice, and set out for a two-week stint in the mountains. Waltz forms an expedition party; two Peralta descendants, an archaeologist, and Jacob Weiser. A must see if you are by the Superstition Mountains. Somewhere deep within Arizonas Superstition Mountains lies the most famous lost gold mine in the worldthe Lost Dutchman Mine. Starring Sage Howard, Andrew Simpson, and Shelby. While it is small, it is packed with information and visual stimulation if you enjoy history. 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. According to the Apaches (North American Indians), the entryway to hell is in the Superstition Mountains. A TwinTygr Film. In many areas they cannot, and will not for any reason land, and actually have designated no fly zones. Lost Dutchman State Park is located near the Superstition Mountains in central Phoenix, about 40 miles from Phoenix. The early Spanish the Peraltas the Jesuits and many others all came to the Superstition Mountains looking for legendary gold. Treasure hunting at Superstition Mountains Arizona - The Lost Dutchman's 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. In late November or early December 2009, Denver, Colorado citizen Jesse Capen disappeared in the Tonto National Forest. By what name was Legend of the Superstition Mountains (2015) officially released in Canada in English? They are encircled by U.S Route 60 on the south Arizona State 88 on the northwest, and Arizona 188 on the northeast. This is very important! His skull with two bullet holes was recovered about six months after he disappeared. To this end he lived for years among their ranks, learning their ways and tending to their sick and wounded. It started out as an exciting day for us all on February 25th, 2016. 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. 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. Despite his efforts, Willing was never able to recover the money he gave to Peralta. These are tall, volcanic formations in the wilderness and are popular as hiking destinations. 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. The Peralta Massacre is a legend that Apaches supposedly ambushed a mining expedition the Peralta family sent into the mountains. After moving to the area, Ruth lingered numerous days at the ranch of Tex Barkely to outfit his expedition. Though the remains had been scattered by scavengers, they were undoubtedly Ruth's. Magill's adventures were chronicled in the book The Killer Mountains, by Curt Gentry. The area is basically a free-for-all for wilderness lovers. In his 1945 book about the Lost Dutchmans Mine. 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. 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. [8] The mine was quite profitable, earning about $35,000 in less than one year; Blair described this as "an unusually good return" for such a small gold mine to earn in such a relatively brief period. The mine is named after German immigrant Jacob Waltz,18101891. 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." Along with the, The Superstition Mountain Museum presents a celebration of fine art from Mexico at this free three-day event, March 10-12, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 4, Private Events have become an important part of the Superstition Mountain Museum event schedule over the past few years, and next season will be no, As a member of the Apache Trail Attractions Committee, Superstition Mountain Museum shares in the concern with reopening Apache Trail (SR-88) from Apache Junction all, On November 25-27, 2022 and again on December 10-11, the museum will be hosting Holiday Boutiques featuring artists and merchants displaying and selling their unique, The Superstition Mountain Historical Society was awarded an Arizona Humanities grant in September, 2021 to build a public outdoor exhibit of an authentic Apache Wickiup. The newcomers, thus, became the Pennsylvania Dutch. 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. Dark Mountain is beautifully directed and filmed, it really took me by surprise. Get-rich-quick schemes are as American as the Fourth of July. Ruths response? Hes led back to town and the tale spreads like wildfire. 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. But Blair suggested that this core story was distorted in subsequent retellings, comparing the many variants of the Lost Dutchman's story to the game of Chinese whispers, where the original account is distorted in multiple retellings of the tale.[15]. The museum itself is clean and well organized for the small space it is currently occupying and boasts loads in local history. 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. 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. For instance, about six of the maps are relevant, others may be relevant, but for now do not appear to be. There have been many books, films, and cartoons about the Lost Gold of the Superstition Mountains. The mysterious deaths and disappearances go on and on. Travis Tumlinson, a policeman, discovered the Peralta Stones on a roadside near the Superstition Mountains in the 1940s. 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 . The glitches that periodically disrupt the footage are also particularly effective. Hardie agrees to join a father searching for his son who is seeking a lost gold mine in Arizona's Superstition Mountains. There was a catastrophic flood in Phoenix in 1891, and Waltz's farm was one of many that was devastated. On our may trip in 2016 one day it reached 108 degrees, that same day up on the mountain, climbing on a surface of Granite and sandstone ours guys Trek watches read what they were breathing at an actual 119 degrees. In June 1931, Ruth set out to locate the lost Peralta mine. 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. 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. [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. Then the Apaches killed Jacob Weiser,or according to some, Waltz himself did it. Randomly stopped by on my way home from Lost Dutchman State Park and I was super happy I did! 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. X., who seemed to be guarding the area. Many people have dismissed them as a hoax. Waltz was buried in Phoenix at what is now called the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park. The gift shop also has an indoor museum. There is a $7 day use fee to enter the park, which is waived if you're camping ($15/night). VISIT The Valentine State. 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. Let may say this; it is not important who engraved the stones, and if itwas Tomlinson and he being the maker or someone else being the engraver of the stones while historically interesting it is not the most important thing. 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. , The Waterbury Democrat. When and where we can get a direct line of sight, we use high tech Walkie talkies, to communicate with each other. Find a wide array of distinctive and unique items including books, apparel, local Native American arts and crafts and seasonal gift selections. Barkely urged Ruth to abandon his search for the mine: The headless remains of prospector James A. Cravey were discovered in the mid-1940s. The chieftain, overtaken by the act, blindfolds the doctor and takes him on a trip to the mines. Some have died on the search. There are still those who obsessively search for it and try to decode its secrets, but no one has ever really quite managed to find it, to the point that many skeptics question whether it ever really existed at all. 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. 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. According to the story, in about 1912 Erwin C. Ruth gave some legal aid to Gonzales, saving him from almost certain imprisonment. The Grand Canyon State. , Barry Storm declared to have nearly escaped from a mysterious sniper he later called Mr. Thorne claimed that he was taken captive by Navajos in 1854, and that during his captivity he had discovered a rich gold vein. The average high temperature in June, July and August, is 104 degrees. 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. 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. 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. Tales of these other Lost Dutchman's mines can be traced to at least the 1870s. The roofs of the cave are blackened from centuries of Native Ameri Go Wildcats! They trek into the mountains. ZERO ZIP NADA!! 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. In March of 2011, three filmmakers disappeared in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona while documenting their search for the Lost Dutchman Mine. He would vanish into thin air for his efforts. 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. Over the next few weeks and months I will share some photos that will not give away the location but will show things that until now have never been shown before. Everyone else? Lastly, the alleged mine directions Ruth had were from an 1895 newspaper account. 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. The main thing is that they supposedly accidentally found this ancient Apache treasure somewhere in the mountains, but it was to spell their doom. In later years there is the story of the adventurous Spanish born Doctor Abraham Thorne, who was at the time living among the Natives of the region and studying their medical practices. Dr. Thorne starts to investigate. Is this all just a spooky legend or id there something more to it? 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.