Arcana Exploration is made up of a group of five friends and supporters, from central Ohio, who until five years ago knew very little if anything about the LDM. Many other mysterious deaths in the Superstition Mountains followed that of Ruths in the subsequent years, including two soldiers from the U.S. Army. As the mountains have a desert climate and few water resources, there is not much vegetation here. A beautiful site just below the western edge of the Superstition Mountains was found and obtained. Lastly, the alleged mine directions Ruth had were from an 1895 newspaper account. My husband has been enthralled with all the wonderful tales of the mountains since his college days a long time ago. Jacob Waltz took to returning to the mountains only when he needed the gold. In an act of kindness, Throne treats an ailing Apache chieftain. 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. Non one really knows, but the answers just may lie out there in the desolate reaches of those desert badlands. Legend of the Superstition Mountains: With Keenan Johnston, Mark Dodson, Frank Augustine, Wayne Tuttle. 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. Though the remains had been scattered by scavengers, they were undoubtedly Ruth's. [12] The three soldiers set out to find the gold, but without success. 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? The large wooden structure overlooking the museum is a 100-year-old Cossak 20-stamp ore mill, a state-of-the-art piece of mining equipment that was used around the turn of the century in the West. Choice of of building material I like Ironwood +, There is a typo that should be alpha mine not alfa mine. 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. Director Tara Anase Writers Tara Anase (story) Tamara Blaich (story) Stars Ron Eagle D'Andre II Adam Haley Sage Howard Some people believe they indicate the location of the famed Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine, in Arizona, United States. Cravey said he would walk out of the mountains on June 28, 1947. 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. 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. According to Blair, the story may have its roots in the efforts of three U.S. soldiers to locate gold in an area of New Mexico, based on an allegedly true story related to them by Dr. Thorne of New Mexico; see above. Whether a wedding, elopement,, The amphitheater and other outdoor locations on the Museum's property are available for outdoor events including small catered receptions. They removed his blindfold and let him take away as much as he could carry. The staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable and I am looking forward to returning with my kids. 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. 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. Later I will give more details and then begin providing information on how things fit together. John D. Wilburn in his book Dutchman's Lost Ledge of Gold (1990), wrote that the Bulldog Gold Mine near Goldfield, Arizona, fits very well the description Jacob Waltz gave as the location of his 'lost mine'. 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. Among the many legends to have emerged from the area, one of the most enduring ones is that of The LostDutchmansGold Mine. Later, he remarked that he had noticed a towering rock formation nearby, but otherwise remained clueless about the whereabouts of the place. 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. The Lost Dutchman State Park, which opened in 1977 and has the Peralta Trail, is also a nod at the legend. There are many stories about hidden gold in the Superstition Mountains, and these usually mention the Peralta Family. 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. 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. Back in those days, the American term for German was , Members of the Apache tribe were said to have a truly valuable gold mine located in the Superstition Mountains. This is very important! 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. 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 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. Its now the 1870s. Beautiful gift shop with tons of great things to buy. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. The average high temperature in June, July and August, is 104 degrees. Hanna-Barbara, Jean Giraud, and Don Rosa have incorporated the story in their cartoons. Ruths response? Keep in mind for security reasons for now I have to be selective on what we divulge. Want to feel like youre in a horror movie and quite possibly high on Peyote? Want to climb a perilous cliff? 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). 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Summer Hours [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. If you get it hurt you better have your own team. 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. "[24], Authorities in Arizona did not convene a criminal inquest regarding Ruth's death. (St. Johns, Apache County, Arizona Territory [Ariz.]) 18851903, September 8, 1892, Image 2", Dunning, B. In any case, the event led to the naming of the Massacre Falls after it. Finally did a little digging and it sounded interesting. Dark Mountain is beautifully directed and filmed, it really took me by surprise. On July 11, 2010, Utah hikers Curtis Merworth, Ardean Charles, and Malcolm Meeks went missing in the Superstition Mountains while looking for the mine. German? 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. So, there, thats the skinny in case you want to pack a lunch and have a picnic. This tale involves two German men, Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser. Hrdlicka positively identified the skull as that of Adolph Ruth. 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. 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. Our focus is on providing visitors with an experience of the Old West. Famed Apache Geronimo is sometimes mentioned in relation to this story. The men must deal with a lack of water and the fact that the map leads him into lands held sacred by the Apaches. Some places have long been thought to be simply no good. There are numerous hiking trails that hikers can access from multiple points, one of the more well-known ones being the Peralta Trailhead. Finally The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Is Found! 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. When they immigrated to Pennsylvania from Deutschland (Germany), the locals mistook Deutsch for Dutch. Ruth ignored Barkelys help and set out for a two-week stint into cliffs. Erwin gave the data to his father Adolph. The Superstition Mountains Superstition Mountain has an elevation of 5,024 feet. 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.. The University of Arizona is the oldest college in the state, existing before Arizona achieved statehood. Their bodies were never found but their camera was. A note in a bottle found floating down the Salt River said that he needed help on account of his leg and that he had found the Lost Dutchmans gold mine. 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. VISIT After an intensive search, Ruths skull was was found at the bottom of a remote ravine, sitting out there all alone in the unforgiving desert. Seniors $6.00 (65 and older) 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. Awesome place to visit. Museum Members are FREE. "Most. According to their folklore, the mountain guards an ancient storehouse of precious metals and treasures, and anyone who ventures forth to get the treasure is likely to die. That was circa 1850. Many people have dismissed them as a hoax. Ruth vanished while hunting for the mine in the summer of 1931. 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. 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. Visitors are treated to a working display of historic large scale model trains and learn about the prominent role they took in the settlement of the West. The story of the Peralta Stones is that they lead you to a small almost invisible ledge, 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. Next week I will list some clues that are absolutely relevant to what we have physically on site. However, Ruth ignored Barkely's advice, and set out for a two-week stint in the mountains. On July 11, 2010, Utah hikers Curtis Merworth, Ardean Charles, and Malcolm Meeks went missing in the Superstition Mountains while looking for the 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. The area is filled with ghost tales, monster encounters, and, yes you cant have spooky mountains without an alien highway UFOs. But the map to the Peralta mine was said to be missing. Is this all just a spooky legend or id there something more to it? The Lost Gold Mine At Superstition Mountain. The stones are named for an obscure "Peralta family", said to be an old and powerful Mexican family. Willing died in 1874 before there had been a thorough investigation of the documents or opportunity to cross examine him on the stand as was later done with Reavis. 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. Blair argued that this Peralta story (well known to Arizona residents) was eventually incorporated in the Lost Dutchman's story, in a severely distorted version, following the renewed interest in the Lost Dutchman's mine in the 1930s. Superstition Mountain Museum has a large collection of props, sets, posters and memorabilia connected to Western movie and television history. A doctor from Illinois, Doctor Abraham Thorne, provided his service to treat the indigenous people of the Southwest. Dr. Thorne starts to investigate. In 2003, a beautiful new museum, composed of an exhibit gallery and a gift shop and a small office, was dedicated and opened at 4087 E. Apache Trail (State Route 88). In March of 2011, three filmmakers disappeared in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona while documenting their search for the Lost Dutchman Mine. It was the fifth-largest fire in Arizonas history, it raged for over a month, despite the strenuous containment efforts of over 600 firefighters. More please. When is the documentary goimg to start back up? German? Lights, screams, and shadows of Apache armies have been reported. I feel the information on the Peralta stones is most likely from a very old map of Jesuit origin. 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. The gift store was absolutely fantastic and was filled with high-quality books about Arizona and southwest history, folklore, Native Americans, and the Wild West. But, loyal reader, you came here for the things the tourist board fails to mention. 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). [3] Former Arizona Attorney General Robert K. Corbin is among those who have looked for the mine. In a few scenes the characters are shown wearing their packs while walking one moment, and not wearing them the next. She was oblivious, baffled, and would apparently later sell the map of the now dead treasure hunter to parties unknown. This is their turf and only the highly experienced and prepared should venture forward. These trails traverse from the desert floor up into the edges of the mountains. Pingback: Legend of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Parts 2 & 3: Finally Found! He had acquired maps that he was sure would lead him straight to the gold. When and where we can get a direct line of sight, we use high tech Walkie talkies, to communicate with each other. Instead, he went missing and his skull was found 6 months later with two large circular holes. Producers included Tamara Blaich, Jennifer Harrington, and Megan Peterson with cinematography by Pyongson Yim and editing by Jennifer Harrington. Legend of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Parts 2 & 3: Finally Found! 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. We arrived at Shaun's house at 7:30 am in St. George Utah. Join MU Plus+ and get exclusive shows and extensions & much more! The Peralta Stones are a set of engraved stone tableted works that are approximately 18 inches long and weigh about 25 lbs. Going on a year now. 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. In a story that echoes some of the earlier tales, Ruth's son Erwin C. Ruth was said to have learned of the Peralta mine from a man called Pedro Gonzales (or Gonzalez). We had a 7-hour drive ahead of us and we wanted to start early. Supposedly one of their 18 mines was very rich and they considered it their alfa mine. The man is barely alive. Others, sure that more vile deadly creatures guard the mines. If you loved watching old westerns you will love this place. 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. Over the decades, this tale was gradually absorbed into the Lost Dutchman's story. Much of the interior is so brutal with severe weather shifts (the Apache winds) that much of the interior is off limits for search and rescue. May through September 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. 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. Fake AF. Reports of inexplicable sounds, sightings, and events have led to claims of supernatural beings and even aliens. Youll find us in the rugged 160,000 acre Superstition Mountain range in the Tonto National Forest in Central Arizona. See production, box office & company info. Hes led back to town and the tale spreads like wildfire. Others that it was Waltz. (Chris J / Flickr). In later years, in 1945, a would-be treasure hunter named Barry Storm would claim that as he had been out looking for the treasure he had been fired upon by a mysterious sniper who he called Mr. 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". Over the next few weeks we will provide some images and photos taken at or very near the site. You came for the yellow rag gossip. Take a cinematic tour to the Superstition Mountains, home of the Lost Dutchman Mine. 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. each. However, things can go wrong. Cravey said he would walk out of the mountains on June 28, 1947. What is important is the informational content recorded on the stones. Wasnt it Dutch? 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. The rest of his remains were found a month later about a mile away. It is here were you will reach areas that are barely penetrable, this is where most trails stop abruptly for safety reasons. These cookies do not store any personal information. In late November or early December 2009, Denver, Colorado citizen Jesse Capen disappeared in the Tonto National Forest. 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. 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. 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. Mysterious bodies turned up in the Superstition Mountains all through the 1960s and 70s, with at least five people found dead with bullet holes to the skulls, and with other bodies found minus the heads, which were never found. By what name was Legend of the Superstition Mountains (2015) officially released in Canada in English? After moving to the area, Ruth lingered numerous days at the ranch of Tex Barkely to outfit his expedition. A must see if you are by the Superstition Mountains. [17] Note that tombstone pictured shows birth year as 1808. In 2012 his vehicle, wallet, cellphone, and backpack were located but there had been no sign of the missing man. According to the account, 1912 Erwin C. Ruth gave s Gonzales legal aid, saving the riff-raff from almost certain imprisonment. People from the town below certain that only death and demons travel across Superstition Mountain at night. One of the most prominent such tales is that of an affluent mining family from Mexico, the Peraltas, although some versions of the story say they were ranchers. Waltzs caregiver, a Julia Thomas, apparently listened to all of this but had no idea what to think of any of it. He died of pneumonia in 1891 and, according to the three neighbours who cared for him, he left them the box of gold under his bed and directions to the gold mine. The story became a national sensation and suddenly everyone knew about the mines and its horror riddled backstory. No suspects or motive were ever found. The mountain is also frequented with mysterious sounds that many people have claimed to have heard. The museum itself is clean and well organized for the small space it is currently occupying and boasts loads in local history. Weiser was the mans best friend and confidant. Kinos Mission San Xavier del Bac near Tucson unlike other missions in California was both massive and opulent, and still stands today. 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. Up until Ruths disastrous expedition, the mines were little more than a footnote in the history of Arizona; one of a thousand so-called. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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. 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. There is a $7 day use fee to enter the park, which is waived if you're camping ($15/night). but their camera was. The family is later attacked and butchered in the so-calledPeralta massacre. 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 albinos in their hospital room. Yet there are still all of these mysterious disappearances and death, these enigmatic decapitated corpses and their bullet-ridden heads. Members of the Apache tribe were said to have a truly valuable gold mine located in the Superstition Mountains.

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