The Superstition Mountains, with a name like that you might as well give away fancy proton-backs, of the Ghostbuster variety, at the visitors center, is a series of jagger tooth mountains in Arizona just the east of Phoenix. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. Front View of the Peralta Stones. As the mountains have a desert climate and few water resources, there is not much vegetation here. January 1933 a Mining electrican named J.A. People from the town below certain that only death and demons travel acrossSuperstition Mountain at night. ZERO ZIP NADA!! Want to reenact that James Franco film with the rusted and dull pocket knife? 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. 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 record high temperature is 128 degrees. Arizona. 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. 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. 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. On July 11, 2010, Utah hikers Curtis Merworth, Ardean Charles, and Malcolm Meeks went missing in the Superstition Mountains while looking for the mine. 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. https://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/superstition-mountains/index.html, They were once known in Spanish as Sierra de la Espuma . It started out as an exciting day for us all on February 25th, 2016. (Latin Heart Reader / Wikimedia Commons). Youve come to the ideal place. 5: Museum Administration and Membership matters, E-MAILVolunteering questions: [emailprotected]Site rentals: [emailprotected]Membership questions: [emailprotected]Retail and event issues: [emailprotected]Accounting issues: [emailprotected]Administrative and other issues: [emailprotected]FAX(480) 288-6524. Cravey said he would walk out of the mountains on June 28, 1947. Some places have long been thought to be simply no good. Very sweet museum with great views of the Superstition Mountains. The roofs of the cave are blackened from centuries of Native Ameri Go Wildcats! This is very important! Later, he remarked that he had noticed a towering rock formation nearby, but otherwise remained clueless about the whereabouts of the place. Lost Dutchman State Park is located near the Superstition Mountains in central Phoenix, about 40 miles from Phoenix. His body would later be found with a bullet hole to the head. And importantly I have hard facts that the Stones are linked to other historical information. 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. We are currently in the process of planning for a return trip to further document our findings. 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. The Apaches told him he could grab as much of the gold as he could carry on his person, which he did before being led back out, never knowing the precise location, although he did mention a sharp peak of rock, which is thought to have perhaps been Weavers Needle, a popular landmark in the area. In appreciation, Gonzales told Erwin about the Peralta mine in the Superstition Mountains and an antique map of the site. The Legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine - C&I Magazine 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". Others that it was Waltz. Dark Mountain is beautifully directed and filmed, it really took me by surprise. Want to climb a perilous cliff? Be sure to have a hat and water because it gets hot when youre walking around the grounds. 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. 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 Superstition Mountain Museum collects, preserves and displays the artifacts, history and folklore of the Superstition Mountain region and the Apache Junction area. The Top Ten Most Haunted Places in Arizona. There are a lot of terrific shots and brilliantly edited moments -- especially, the opening montage as the characters drive to the Superstition Mountains. The mans campsite would be found to hold many books on the lost mine, and this would join a further three more mysterious deaths in 2010 and 2011 in the same area, all of whom had been seeking the legendary Dutchmans Mine. Supposedly a mine with fabulously rich gold deposits. Within the refuge are 14 trail heads that cover 190 miles. Supposedly one of their 18 mines was very rich and they considered it their alfa mine. [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". Around 1860 a German immigrant named Jacob Waltz moved into the Wickenburg Arizona area about 80 miles from Phoenix. A must see if you are by the Superstition Mountains. 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. (Chris J / Flickr). 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. 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. In December, 1931, The Arizona Republic reported on the recent discovery of a human skull in the Superstition Mountains. The story differs but heres the most common take, mind you there are over 100 different versions of the Story. The staff and volunteers at this Museum were all very friendly and helpful. Near Apache Junction, Arizona there is a place called the Supersition Mountains where legends and superstitions come alive to tell their ghostly tales. [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. 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. His campsite and vehicle were recovered shortly afterward. Months pass, years some say, until one day Jacob comes back battered and bloody atop a lame mule. He had allegedly made many forays to this mine, taking gold as he pleased and boasting of its discovery, but all who tried to follow him or learn his secret were said to get hopelessly lost, or end up vanished or dead. 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]. The promise of a $200 million mother . FREE with paid Adult 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. 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. Hike to Praying Hands in Lost Dutchman State Park - The Outbound Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum - Find yourself in the Old West Waltz relocated to Arizona in the 1860s, and stayed in the territory for most of the rest of his life. 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. It does not matter if Tomlinson engraved them or someone else did, exactly when they were made is not important, what matters is what is on them. The Lost Dutchman State Park, which opened in 1977 and has the Peralta Trail, is also a nod at the legend. 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. Is this all just a spooky legend or id there something more to it? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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. 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). 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 elder Ruth had fallen and badly broken several bones while seeking the lost Pegleg mine in California. Non one really knows, but the answers just may lie out there in the desolate reaches of those desert badlands. And the answer is absolutely yes! All funds and donations go back into preserving the area. For a small fee you can see items owned by locals and learn all about the local history. Erwin gave the data to his father Adolph. That was circa 1850. 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. To begin with, there was never any real Dutchman involved with the lost gold mine. Fake AF. While it is small, it is packed with information and visual stimulation if you enjoy history. (However, in some versions,[14] the 'mine' is actually a cache put there by the Peraltas.). Starring Sage Howard, Andrew Simpson, and Shelby Stehlin. Children 10 and under He had acquired maps that he was sure would lead him straight to the gold. Ruth did not return as scheduled, and no trace of him could be found after a brief search. By what name was Dark Mountain (2013) officially released in Canada in English? The family is later attacked and butchered in the so-calledPeralta massacre. 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. If you get it hurt you better have your own team. We had a 7-hour drive ahead of us and we wanted to start early. This is trails end; this is the domain of the Dutch Hunters. 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. Thorne is said to be either unwilling or unable to relocate the mine. (Doug Dolde / Wikimedia Commons). The search, nevertheless, still continues. 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. Ruth disappeared while searching for the mine in the summer of 1931. Check it out! Eric "the real deal" Deleel is original from a little town in northern New York called Massena. There is a Superstition Mountain Museum at 4087 N. Apache Trail, Highway 88 in Apache Junction. Director Earl Bellamy Writer Sam Peckinpah (teleplay and story) Stars Dale Robertson John Litel Myron Healey 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. 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. 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. A doctor from Illinois, Doctor Abraham Thorne, provided his service to treat the indigenous people of the Southwest. T Just a few miles south of Tucson lies Colossal Cave, an often overlooked natural landmark with well over a thousand years of history. There are several paths that go through the brush and cacti. We miss it. 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Afterwards, Waltz fell ill (he was rumored to have contracted pneumonia during the flooding). Some certain that the natives killed the party. 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. In his 1945 book about the Lost Dutchman's mine. Wasnt it Dutch? [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. 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. Biology, nature, and cryptozoology still remain Brent Swancers first intellectual loves. The early Spanish the Peraltas the Jesuits and many others all came to the Superstition Mountains looking for legendary gold. They would be uncovered in the 1940s, but whether there is any truth to this story is anyones guess. All Rights Reserved. Top Ten list of haunted spots in Phoenix. Then his body would finally be found wedged into a remote and inaccessible crevice, with the official cause of death a mystery. Many people took the landmark to be the Weavers Needle but had no luck finding any gold nuggets in its vicinity. 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). And, where praytell do most folks believe said El Dorado is safely hidden Why, in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction. 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. Get-rich-quick schemes are as American as the Fourth of July.