In March of 2011, three filmmakers disappeared in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona while documenting their search for the Lost Dutchman mine. A TwinTygr Film. 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. Thorne fills every pocket, flap of clothing, and fleshy orifice with the nuggets. Monday Sunday Cravey said he would walk out of the mountains on June 28, 1947. Superstition Mountain at night. 4087 East Apache Trail In January 1932, human remains were discovered about three-quarters of a mile (1.21km) from where the skull had been found. Youll find us in the rugged 160,000 acre Superstition Mountain range in the Tonto National Forest in Central Arizona. If you need rescued, they will land two miles away and hike in to get you. 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. Biology, nature, and cryptozoology still remain Brent Swancers first intellectual loves. This account is usually dated to about 1870. Waltzs caregiver, a Julia Thomas, apparently listened to all of this but had no idea what to think of any of it. And is that information relevant? Awesome place to visit. When and where we can get a direct line of sight, we use high tech Walkie talkies, to communicate with each other. Magill's adventures were chronicled in the book The Killer Mountains, by Curt Gentry. The glitches that periodically disrupt the footage are also particularly effective. The mine is named after German immigrant Jacob Waltz,18101891. "Dutchman's Gold" was a chart hit in 1960 for, "When the Man Comes, Follow Him" episode of the, "The Peralta Map" episode of the CBS Radio series, The Lost Dutchman Mine ride was a popular attraction at, The Lost Dutchman's Mine features prominently in the, The Lost Dutchmans Mine is the subject of Season 6, Episode 10 of podcast Unexplained. However, the Peralta Mine eventually became unprofitable and after the money was gone Miguel Peralta turned to fraud. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. For a small fee you can see items owned by locals and learn all about the local history. Barkely urged Ruth to abandon his search for the mine: the area and the mines cursed and full of devils.. 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. Check it out! TheSuperstition Mountains, furthermore, are the abode of the Thunder God, and he causes the frequent regional thunderstorms. SUPERSTITION MOUNTAINS GHOST, LOST MINES, MURDER AND MAYHEM, Geronimo was oftentimes sometimes discussed in the story. 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. Dark Mountain is beautifully directed and filmed, it really took me by surprise. Some people believe they indicate the location of the famed Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine, in Arizona, United States. But what they actually found has been a hidden secret that people have been trying to piece together for last 125 years. The gift shop also has an indoor museum. These are tall, volcanic formations in the wilderness and are popular as hiking destinations. Superstition Mountain hasan elevation of 5,024 feet. 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. Erwin passed the information to his father Adolph, who had a long-standing interest in lost mines and amateur exploration. 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. The Superstition Mountain Museum collects, preserves and displays the artifacts, history and folklore of the Superstition Mountain region and the Apache Junction area. Director Earl Bellamy Writer Sam Peckinpah (teleplay and story) Stars Dale Robertson John Litel Myron Healey At the low elevations, you will encounter tall saguaro cactusand Ponderosa pines at higher levels, and these are generally near the streams. 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. If you loved watching old westerns you will love this place. Since Ruths death, there have been numerous other deaths or disappearances in the Superstition Mountains. Producers included Tamara Blaich, Jennifer Harrington, and Megan Peterson with cinematography by Pyongson Yim and editing by Jennifer Harrington. They are mysterious, they are cool as ice, and for all those Dark Tourism enthusiasts, they are full of legends and weird happenings. The main thing is that they supposedly accidentally found this ancient Apache treasure somewhere in the mountains, but it was to spell their doom. 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. About Lost Dutchman State Park. 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. 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. There are many stories about hidden gold in the Superstition Mountains, and these usually mention the Peralta Family. And, where praytell do most folks believe said El Dorado is safely hidden Why, in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction. Wasnt it Dutch? 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). Kino is believed to have had a rich goldmine somewhere in the Superstition Mountains. Starring Sage Howard, Andrew Simpson, and Shelby Stehlin. What is important is the informational content recorded on the stones. And the answer is absolutely yes! Some certain that the natives killed the party. January 1933 a Mining electrican named J.A. Thorne sold the ore for $6000 and became a wealthy man. The story became a national sensation and suddenly everyone knew about the mines and its horror riddled backstory. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Within the refuge are 14 trail heads that cover 190 miles. You'll find us in the rugged 160,000 acre Superstition Mountain range in the Tonto National Forest in Central Arizona. Everyone else? We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. 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. 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. The praying hands formation at the Superstition Mountains range. 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). Near Apache Junction, Arizona there is a place called the Supersition Mountains where legends and superstitions come alive to tell their ghostly tales. 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. Beautiful gift shop with tons of great things to buy. Intrigue Journal. 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. 3: Gift Shop and Event Manager Dave McElligott Somewhere deep within Arizonas Superstition Mountains lies the most famous lost gold mine in the worldthe Lost Dutchman Mine. The Superstition Mountain Historical Society was formed on December 27, 1979. Please note that admission prices for Special Events are subject to change. 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. Furthermore, Wilburn stated that geology indicates that there is no gold in the Superstition Mountains, which are igneous in origin. They didnt find it because its not in the superstitions Too bad i cant post pictures, because i know exactly where it is, Did you ever think the Dutchman might have used another mine location to through And, where praytell do most folks believe said El Dorado is safely hidden Why, in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction. This isn't another nauseating, shaky-cam mess. The roofs of the cave are blackened from centuries of Native Ameri Go Wildcats! "Dutchman" was a common American term for a German ("Dutch" being the English cognate to the German demonym "Deutsch", and not a reference to the Dutch people). 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 story of the Lost Dutchmans Mine would go on to become a persistent legend and obsession for many would-be treasure hunters over the years. Hes led back to town and the tale spreads like wildfire. The story differs but heres the most common take, mind you there are over 100 different versions of the Story. May through September Since Ruth's death, there have been several other deaths or disappearances in the Superstition Mountains. 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. About this campaign You may also be interested in Gogopicks Funding The MOST PROFESSIONAL Smart Toothpaste Dispenser In January 2011, three sets of remains assumed to be those of the lost men were retrieved. There was a catastrophic flood in Phoenix in 1891, and Waltz's farm was one of many that was devastated. , on the northeast side, includes a favorite trail that heads up to Fremont Saddle; picturesque panoramic views of most of the locale. Their bodies were never found but their camera was. That was circa 1850. Some places have long been thought to be simply no good. Image property of Arcana Exploration, photo taken at the Lost Dutchman Museum Apache Junction, Arizona. The staff and volunteers at this Museum were all very friendly and helpful. 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. The earliest documentation of him in the U.S. is an 1848 affidavit in which Waltz declared himself to be "about 38 years old". Im talking Smaug levels of the shiny stuff. The area is filled with ghost tales, monster encounters, and, yes you cant have spooky mountains without an alien highway UFOs. Our focus is on providing visitors with an experience of the Old West. Join MU Plus+ and get exclusive shows and extensions & much more! On 8 June 2019, a fire broke out in the Superstitions Wilderness area and soon spread across 26,000 acres. [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". For more macabre tales check out our Top Ten list of haunted spots in Phoenix. 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. Supposedly one of their 18 mines was very rich and they considered it their alfa mine. On July 11, 2010, Utah hikers Curtis Merworth, Ardean Charles, and Malcolm Meeks went missing in the Superstition Mountains while looking for the mine. Richman, Irwin. If you find the above article inaccurate or biased, please let us know at[emailprotected]. , The Waterbury Democrat. Then the Apaches killed Jacob Weiser,or according to some, Waltz himself did it. Admission So let me say it again, the documentation found ON the stones is the most important thing not so much who carved them. 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 Something, a doctor once told his family, having chewed at his sanity and left nothing but brittle bones. He dies, screaming from a nightmare in 1891. 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. Two prominent landmarks here are the Weavers Needle and the Miners Needle. Waltz was buried in Phoenix at what is now called the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park. 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 . He's written articles for MU and Daily Grail and has been a guest on Coast to Coast AM and Binnal of America. 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. each. The location is generally believed to be in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction, east of Phoenix, Arizona. 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. [7] A man named Miguel Peralta and his family did operate a successful mine in the 1860s but near Valencia, California, not in Arizona. It is rumoured that if the stones are put together in the right way, they are a map to the Peralta Familys gold deposits. Treasure hunting at Superstition Mountains Arizona - The Lost Dutchman's Mine. [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. When is the documentary goimg to start back up? [9] As of 1975, ruins of the Peralta mine were standing.[9]. Director Tara Anase Writers Tara Anase (story) Tamara Blaich (story) Stars Ron Eagle D'Andre II Adam Haley Sage Howard The family is later attacked and butchered in the so-called, Jacob, meanwhile, the lone survivor, is near catatonic. 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. Many believe there is a connection and that they sold their families mine to Waltz and his partner. It started out as an exciting day for us all on February 25th, 2016. 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. Cute fun stop for anyone visiting the area to learn more about the history of the area. His campsite and vehicle were recovered shortly afterward. There have been many books, films, and cartoons about the Lost Gold of the Superstition Mountains. Lost Dutchman State Park is located near the Superstition Mountains in central Phoenix, about 40 miles from Phoenix. 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. 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. Theyre filled to the brim with ghosts and spirits. Tales of these other Lost Dutchman's mines can be traced to at least the 1870s. ZERO ZIP NADA!! Without doubt the most controversial but easily the most studied, researched and written about of all the historical documentation involving the Superstition Mountains, are the famous Peralta Stones. I feel the information on the Peralta stones is most likely from a very old map of Jesuit origin. 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. 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. People from the town below certain that only death and demons travel across Superstition Mountain at night. He pursued mining and prospecting, but seems to have had little luck with either. 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. Thorne is said to be either unwilling or unable to relocate the mine. In June 1931, Ruth set out to find the lost Peralta mine. Eight months later their camera and cell phones were recovered along the western edge of LaBarge Canyon. Dr. The museum itself is clean and well organized for the small space it is currently occupying and boasts loads in local history. 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. A month later the rest of the body was found about three-quarters of a mile away, with severely broken legs, and it was supposed that he had fallen and then after his grievous injuries died of starvation and the elements. More please. 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. 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. 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. 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. 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. Read on to find out if you should start planning your trip to a Dark Mountain. 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. 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. 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. Jacob, meanwhile, the lone survivor, is near catatonic. [11] According to Blair, the origin of this story can be traced to a doctor named Thorne who was in private practice in New Mexico in the 1860s. Nobody has been able to interpret them correctly. Get the latest on your favorite shows, plus updates on HISTORY events and more. 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. 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. Others that it was the ghost of the Peraltas. Their bodies were never found. 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. A group of modern day treasure hunters search for the Lost Dutchman mine in the Superstition mountain range of Arizona. The early Spanish the Peraltas the Jesuits and many others all came to the Superstition Mountains looking for legendary gold. 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 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.. Come on down! He was remembered as having been obsessed with finding the mine for several years. Waltz relocated to Arizona in the 1860s, and stayed in the territory for most of the rest of his life. [42] The park was expanded to 320 acres (130ha) in 1983. [29][clarification needed]. Superstition Mountain Museum has a large collection of props, sets, posters and memorabilia connected to Western movie and television history.