Gone. Awesome place to visit. If you need rescued, they will land two miles away and hike in to get you. Wasnt it Dutch? The mountain is also frequented with mysterious sounds that many people have claimed to have heard. Cravey said he would walk out of the mountains on June 28, 1947. 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. 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. Though the remains had been scattered by scavengers, they were undoubtedly Ruth's. On July 11, 2010, Utah hikers Curtis Merworth, Ardean Charles, and Malcolm Meeks went missing in the Superstition Mountains while looking for the mine. 27.07 - MU Plus+ Podcast - Flames of Prophecy, 29.07 - MU Podcast - Contract with the Goddess, 27.06 - MU Plus+ Podcast - Secret Vaults of Time, 29.06 - MU Podcast - Italian Disco Abductions, The Mystery of New York's Renegade Subway Psychic, Forget About What We Know About Roswell: It's What's Missing About the Case That We Need to Look For, Archeologists Discover Another Secret Corridor Inside the Great Pyramid of Giza, A Boat-Swallowing Sea Monster of Norse Legends Still Lives Today, Ghosts, Fairies, and a Spectral Hag on Canada's Most Haunted Island, More on the Matter of the Most Dangerous Creature of the Mind: The Slenderman, Unmarked Black Helicopter Above Chicago Sparks Conspiracy Theories, "What's the Creepiest Thing You've Ever Seen or Heard?" The men must deal with a lack of water and the fact that the map leads him into lands held sacred by the Apaches. They removed his blindfold and let him take away as much as he could carry. Cursed, blighted, tainted, whatever you want to call it. The praying hands formation at the Superstition Mountains range. People from the town below certain that only death and demons travel acrossSuperstition Mountain at night. The Peralta Massacre is a legend that Apaches supposedly ambushed a mining expedition the Peralta family sent into the mountains. Others that it was Waltz. It is truly magnificent at twilight., The Apacheland barn figured prominently in dozens of western films and TV western episodes shot at the original Gold Canyon movie ranch. Are you ready to relive the last few moments of the lives of a group of people who were poking around where they shouldnt have been? According to the Apaches (North American Indians), the entryway to hell is in the Superstition Mountains. Ahh, heres the chronological faux-pass. There are numerous hiking trails that hikers can access from multiple points, one of the more well-known ones being the Peralta Trailhead. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The Top Ten Most Haunted Places in Arizona. The story became a national sensation and suddenly everyone knew about the mines and its horror riddled backstory. Up until Ruths disastrous expedition, the mines were little more than a footnote in the history of Arizona; one of a thousand so-called. Eric "the real deal" Deleel is original from a little town in northern New York called Massena. 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 . Instead, he went missing and his skull was found 6 months later with two large circular holes. The rest of his remains were found a month later about a mile away. All Rights Reserved. The staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable and I am looking forward to returning with my kids. In January 2011, three sets of remains assumed to be those of the lost men were retrieved. Producers included Tamara Blaich, Jennifer Harrington, and Megan Peterson with cinematography by Pyongson Yim and editing by Jennifer Harrington. 4087 East Apache Trail Excellent place to learn a lot about the local history of the Superstition Mountains. Hanna-Barbara, Jean Giraud, and Don Rosa have incorporated the story in their cartoons. The University of Arizona is the oldest college in the state, existing before Arizona achieved statehood. Treasure hunting at Superstition Mountains Arizona - The Lost Dutchman's Mine. 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. Lost Dutchman State Park is located near the Superstition Mountains in central Phoenix, about 40 miles from Phoenix. Randomly stopped by on my way home from Lost Dutchman State Park and I was super happy I did! Non one really knows, but the answers just may lie out there in the desolate reaches of those desert badlands. (Doug Dolde / Wikimedia Commons). but their camera was. 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. 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 staff and volunteers at this Museum were all very friendly and helpful. We miss it. Since Ruths death, there have been numerous other deaths or disappearances in the Superstition Mountains. For the price, this is well worth the visit. What is important is the informational content recorded on the stones. 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 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. 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. In December, 1931, The Arizona Republic reported on the recent discovery of a human skull in the Superstition Mountains. 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. Get the latest on your favorite shows, plus updates on HISTORY events and more. Ruth did not return as scheduled, and no trace of him could be found after a brief search. Arcana Exploration has been there on four separate trips the first in October of 2015. Among the many legends to have emerged from the area, one of the most enduring ones is that of The LostDutchmansGold Mine. However, Blair argued that there is a strong likelihood that there never was a second man named Weiser, but rather that a single person named Waltz was, over the years, turned into two men as the legend of the Dutchman's mine evolved. And is that information relevant? Beautiful gift shop with tons of great things to buy. More please. 3: Gift Shop and Event Manager Dave McElligott In March of 2011 three filmmakers set out to find the mine and document their entire process. 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. 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. [9] As of 1975, ruins of the Peralta mine were standing.[9]. This isn't another nauseating, shaky-cam mess. Wednesday Sunday This is trails end; this is the domain of the Dutch Hunters. According to the account, 1912 Erwin C. Ruth gave s Gonzales legal aid, saving the riff-raff from almost certain imprisonment. is, according to folktales, a magnificent, rich, Scrooge McDuck like repository of gold hidden somewhere in southwestern United States. Take a cinematic tour to the Superstition Mountains, home of the Lost Dutchman Mine. Please note that admission prices for Special Events are subject to change. People off his Mine that he cover up with a ironwood tree :The books give me my The Superstitions Mountains lie within the Tonto National wildlife refuge and consist of 242 square miles not counting other designated and preserved areas that boarder the Tonto National Forest and wildlife refuge. Children 10 and under The photographic evidence taken at the site along with a selection of maps combined with historical documentation together, links the most generally accepted and related informational evidence too present day boots on the ground reality. Over the decades, this tale was gradually absorbed into the Lost Dutchman's story. Dr. 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. 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. This was our first stop for the day. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. The Supers are east northeast of Phoenix. The earliest documentation of him in the U.S. is an 1848 affidavit in which Waltz declared himself to be "about 38 years old". Originally an important feature of the Apacheland Movie Ranch, the Elvis Chapel is an amazing location to hold your special event. [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. Members of the Apache tribe were said to have a truly valuable gold mine located in the Superstition Mountains. Subscribe Today! Check it out! Superstition Mountain at night. (St. Johns, Apache County, Arizona Territory [Ariz.]) 18851903, September 8, 1892, Image 2", Dunning, B. It is believed that all were killed except for two Peralta family members who were severely wounded but managed to escape. The Superstition Mountains are a mountain range east of Phoenix and are known for their picturesque volcanic peaks and and jagged canyons. I really enjoyed it here. There was indeed a Jacob Waltz who emigrated to the U.S. from Germany. 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 Lost Gold Mine At Superstition Mountain. Near Apache Junction, Arizona there is a place called the Supersition Mountains where legends and superstitions come alive to tell their ghostly tales. 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. 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. 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. A found footage thriller inspired on actual events, DARK MOUNTAIN is directed by Tara Anase and written by Tamara Blaich and Tara Anase. Furthermore, Wilburn stated that geology indicates that there is no gold in the Superstition Mountains, which are igneous in origin. [16] A man called Jacob Walz was born in September 1810 in Wrttemberg. No suspects or motive were ever found. Ruths response? 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. January 1933 a Mining electrican named J.A. In an act of kindness, Throne treats an ailing Apache chieftain. 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. 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. 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. 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. Ruth disappeared while searching for the mine in the summer of 1931. Thorne sold the ore for $6000 and became a wealthy man. These cookies do not store any personal information. 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. 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. A doctor from Illinois, Doctor Abraham Thorne, provided his service to treat the indigenous people of the Southwest. The area is filled with ghost tales, monster encounters, and, yes you cant have spooky mountains without an alien highway UFOs. When is the documentary goimg to start back up? Everyone else? While it is small, it is packed with information and visual stimulation if you enjoy history. Lights, screams, and shadows of Apache armies have been reported. Erwin gave the data to his father Adolph. Tantalizingly, Ruth's checkbook was also recovered, and proved to contain a note written by Ruth wherein he claimed to have discovered the mine and gave detailed directions. Is this all just a spooky legend or id there something more to it? There have been many stories about how to find the mine, and each year people search for the mine. Director Tara Anase Writers Tara Anase (story) Tamara Blaich (story) Stars Ron Eagle D'Andre II Adam Haley Sage Howard Jacob Waltz took to returning to the mountains only when he needed the gold. Some have died on the search. If you loved watching old westerns you will love this place. Dont expect High Street class; do expect old West charm, plenty of local history and lore, and the beautiful backdrop of the Superstition Mountains, not to mention a surprisingly good gift shop. That was circa 1850. However, the Peralta Mine eventually became unprofitable and after the money was gone Miguel Peralta turned to fraud. [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 story differs but heres the most common take, mind you there are over 100 different versions of the Story. He was remembered as having been obsessed with finding the mine for several years. His body has never been found. The Copper State. Weavers Needle, a peak located in the Superstition Mountains. Ruth vanished while hunting for the mine in the summer of 1931. Skeptoid Podcast. We are currently in the process of planning for a return trip to further document our findings. [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. Barkely urged Ruth to abandon his search for the mine: the area and the mines cursed and full of devils.. The chieftain, overtaken by the act, blindfolds the doctor and takes him on a trip to the mines. Theyre filled to the brim with ghosts and spirits. The Lost Dutchman Mine is said to be a rich goldmine located somewhere in the southwestern American state of Arizona. Some places have long been thought to be simply no good. There are a lot of terrific shots and brilliantly edited moments -- especially, the opening montage as the characters drive to the Superstition Mountains. January 7, 2023 12:00 pm - April 29, 2023 3:00 pm, Desert Safety and Survival (March Sold Out), Weaving Class with Nanabah Aragon (March Sold Out). Tack a map onto a wall, toss a dart and chances are youd hit an outskirt of nowhere with a small Fort Knox in its hills. This is your spot. 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. Later on came a long list of early and newly appointed Dons of Spain who also made forays into the Prima Alta looking for riches. Want to climb a perilous cliff? These steep, jagged volcanic mountains were formed over 29 million years ago and they cover an area of 160,000 acres. But what they actually found has been a hidden secret that people have been trying to piece together for last 125 years. DARK MOUNTAIN (2013) "In March of 2011, three filmmakers disappeared in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona while documenting their search for the Lost Dutchman mine. Erwin passed the information to his father Adolph, who had a long-standing interest in lost mines and amateur exploration. The closest approximate was a German miner of the PennsylvaniaGerman community. The search, nevertheless, still continues. Over the years, subsequent search for the mines has only lead to heartache and death. 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. "Dutchman's Gold" was the season 4, episode 19 of, This page was last edited on 5 February 2023, at 00:14. People from the town below certain that only death and demons travel across Superstition Mountain at night. At the time he had ventured out into the Tonto National Forest in search of the legendary treasure, having looked for it on several occasions in the past and accumulating hundreds of books and hundreds of pages of research on the matter. 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 stories differ from here onward. While popular with campers, hikers, and adventure seekers, these mountains are also known for their exceedingly hot summers, freezing winters, harsh winds, unpredictable storms, treacherous terrain, and mysterious happenings. His skull with two holes in it identified as bullet holes was recovered about six months after he vanished, and the story made national news, thus sparking widespread interest in the Lost Dutchman's mine.[22]. In the weeks and months to come we will use much of the historical information, and show how it ties directly to what we have found. Two Pennsylvania Dutchmen, Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser, were prospecting for gold in the area, when, one night, they happened to save a mans life in a bar brawl. There have been tales ofU.S. Armysoldiers that are said to have stumbled onto a river of almost pure gold in or near the Superstition Mountains.