All funds and donations go back into preserving the area. We are currently in the process of planning for a return trip to further document our findings. Ruths response? In December of 1949 a man named James Kidd vanished without a trace in the area as well. 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. each. If you get it hurt you better have your own team. Read on to find out if you should start planning your trip to a Dark Mountain. These are tall, volcanic formations in the wilderness and are popular as hiking destinations. Going on a year now. 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). To underline his great find, he had also written Veni, Vidi, Vici (I came, I saw, and I conquered) in his diary. In most variants of the story, the family of a man called Miguel Peralta discovered the mine and began mining the gold there, only to be attacked or massacred by Apaches in about 1850 in the supposed Peralta massacre. Want to feel like youre in a horror movie and quite possibly high on Peyote? Yep, more footage has been found, kids. 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. 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 . Nobody has been able to interpret them correctly. Brent Swancer is an author and crypto expert living in Japan. In January 2011, three sets of remains assumed to be those of the lost men were retrieved. No suspects or motive were ever found. By what name was Legend of the Superstition Mountains (2015) officially released in Canada in English? It is here were you will reach areas that are barely penetrable, this is where most trails stop abruptly for safety reasons. 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. 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 Dutchman Project | Indiegogo We miss it. Ruth ignored Barkelys help and set out for a two-week stint into cliffs. , The Waterbury Democrat. The mountain is also frequented with mysterious sounds that many people have claimed to have heard. Many other mysterious deaths in the Superstition Mountains followed that of Ruths in the subsequent years, including two soldiers from the U.S. Army. Arcana Exploration has been there on four separate trips the first in October of 2015. The Apache warriors who had massacred them are then said to have reburied the entrance to this enormous trove of gold, and to this day the area where this is believed to have happened has been labeled the Massacre Grounds, and there are other places names that denote this grim history such as Massacre Falls and others. 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. 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. I really enjoyed it here. Dark Mountain (2013) - IMDb I feel the information on the Peralta stones is most likely from a very old map of Jesuit origin. Very sweet museum with great views of the Superstition Mountains. Found Footage Uncovered in a Dark Mountain - Dread Central They removed his blindfold and let him take away as much as he could carry. Admission 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.. [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. The man is barely alive. 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. 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. Eric "the real deal" Deleel is original from a little town in northern New York called Massena. 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. All rights reserved. Supposedly one of their 18 mines was very rich and they considered it their alfa mine. The search, nevertheless, still continues. It is believed that all were killed except for two Peralta family members who were severely wounded but managed to escape. 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. 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. Famed Apache warrior Geronimo was oftentimes sometimes discussed in the story; because its always good to shoehorn a celebrity into an urban legend. 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. This account is usually dated to about 1870. is, according to folktales, a magnificent, rich, Scrooge McDuck like repository of gold hidden somewhere in southwestern United States. (2004). 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. By what name was Dark Mountain (2013) officially released in Canada in English? And the answer is absolutely yes! Skeptoid Podcast. This tale involves two German men, Jacob Waltz and Jacob Weiser. But, loyal reader, you came here for the things the tourist board fails to mention. Kino is believed to have had a rich goldmine somewhere in the Superstition Mountains. A doctor from Illinois, Doctor Abraham Thorne, provided his service to treat the indigenous people of the Southwest. 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. 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. They even had the old rock crusher up and working. The breathable air on some surfaces actually gets even hotter; this is the biggest killer in the Superstition Mountains and dont forget the rattle snakes, scorpions, tarantula spiders, Gila monsters plus huge mountain lions and dozens of other things that will take your life. Non one really knows, but the answers just may lie out there in the desolate reaches of those desert badlands. [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". 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]. Beautiful gift shop with tons of great things to buy. There was indeed a Jacob Waltz who emigrated to the U.S. from Germany. The stones are named for an obscure "Peralta family", said to be an old and powerful Mexican family. Director Tara Anase Writers Tara Anase (story) Tamara Blaich (story) Stars Ron Eagle D'Andre II Adam Haley Sage Howard Everything is well-maintained, and the staff are without exception friendly and helpful. Within the refuge are 14 trail heads that cover 190 miles. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The Superstition Mountain Historical Society was formed on December 27, 1979. The Superstition Mountains and the Legend of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine This is trails end; this is the domain of the Dutch Hunters. The neighboursJulia Thomas, Rhinehart Petrasch, and Hermann Petraschspent weeks looking for the gold, but failed to find it. Want to climb a perilous cliff? Superstition Mountain Museum has a large collection of props, sets, posters and memorabilia connected to Western movie and television history. According to the account, 1912 Erwin C. Ruth gave s Gonzales legal aid, saving the riff-raff from almost certain imprisonment. Children 10 and under 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. I Often Hear That: I'll Share Some With You, TikTok and Its Strange Proliferation of Mysterious Accounts of Skinwalkers, Shamans, Psychedelics, and One Man's mystical Journey in the Amazon to Find a Miracle Cure. 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. The museum does not disappoint! Theyre filled to the brim with ghosts and spirits. but their camera was. The curse of the treasure would continue in the 1940s, when a 62-year-old treasure hunter by the name of James A. Carvey journeyed into the Superstition Mountains and also ended up dead and with his head separated from his shoulders. Come on down! [19][20] After this was unsuccessful, Thomas and her partners were reported to be selling maps to the mine for $7 each. 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. The Pima Indians famously feared the mountain that they knew as Ain-we-gophon (Superstition Mountain). [12] Thorne related his claims to three U.S. soldiers in about 1858. Instead, he went missing and his skull was found 6 months later with two large circular holes. If you loved watching old westerns you will love this place. People have been seeking the Lost Dutchman's mine since at least 1892,[2] while according to one estimate, 9,000 people annually made some effort to locate the Lost Dutchman's mine. January 1933 a Mining electrican named J.A. German? Intrigue Journal. There May Be a Long-Lost Gold Mine in the Arizona Mountains - Discovery The Lost Dutchman State Park, which opened in 1977 and has the Peralta Trail, is also a nod at the legend. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. The record high temperature is 128 degrees. It started out as an exciting day for us all on February 25th, 2016. His body has never been found. STSTW Media strives to deliver accurate information through careful research. Walking along tyre tracks saying they are in the middle of nowhere at a treasure location. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Thorne is said to be either unwilling or unable to relocate the mine. 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. They are mysterious, they are cool as ice, and for all those Dark Tourism enthusiasts, they are full of legends and weird happenings. Others that it was Waltz. 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! Like all great legends and Indiana Jones-like ventures, the search for the Lost Dutchmans Gold Mine is littered with betrayal, spirits, backstabbing desperados, unexplained disappearances, and death. The weather in the Superstition Mountains is notoriously unpredictable, with storms seeming to come out of nowhere and accompanied by abrupt drops in temperatures. The short "Discovery Trail" is a clear route with several placards giving the natural history of the area. Though the remains had been scattered by scavengers, they were undoubtedly Ruth's. 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. 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 . 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. Up until Ruths disastrous expedition, the mines were little more than a footnote in the history of Arizona; one of a thousand so-called. These steep, jagged volcanic mountains were formed over 29 million years ago and they cover an area of 160,000 acres. In many areas they cannot, and will not for any reason land, and actually have designated no fly zones. He would vanish into thin air for his efforts. Granger wrote that "fact and fiction blend in the tales",[3] but that there are three main elements to the story: In 1977, Granger identified 62 variants of the Lost Dutchman's story some of the variations are minor, but others are substantial, casting the story in a very different light from the other versions. 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. 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. A found footage thriller inspired on actual events, DARK MOUNTAIN is directed by Tara Anase and written by Tamara Blaich and Tara Anase. No sign of the filmmakers themselves has been found to date. The men must deal with a lack of water and the fact that the map leads him into lands held sacred by the Apaches. 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. Cravey said he would walk out of the mountains on June 28, 1947. Among the many legends to have emerged from the area, one of the most enduring ones is that of The LostDutchmansGold Mine. Randomly stopped by on my way home from Lost Dutchman State Park and I was super happy I did! In June 1931, Ruth set out to locate the lost Peralta mine. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The Apaches were either enraged over the violation of their sacred mountains or wanted to steal the gold from them. Get-rich-quick schemes are as American as the Fourth of July. 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. 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. Phoenix Ghosts - Superstition Mountains: Ghosts & More They trek into the mountains. In March of 2011, three filmmakers disappeared in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona while documenting their search for the Lost Dutchman Mine. 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. 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. In 2012 his vehicle, wallet, cellphone, and backpack were located but there had been no sign of the missing man. If you need rescued, they will land two miles away and hike in to get you. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "The St. Johns herald. , Barry Storm declared to have nearly escaped from a mysterious sniper he later called Mr. 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. Travis Tumlinson, a policeman, discovered the Peralta Stones on a roadside near the Superstition Mountains in the 1940s. After moving to the area, Ruth lingered numerous days at the ranch of Tex Barkely to outfit his expedition. See production, box office & company info, The Investigation: A Haunting in Sherwood, The Harrisville Haunting: The Real Conjuring House. [1], The Lost Dutchman's is perhaps the most famous lost mine in American history. The stories differ from here onward. DARK MOUNTAIN is the chilling reconstruction from their footage of their last days. Some searchers for the mine have disappeared in likely wilderness accidents. The man is barely alive. About Lost Dutchman State Park. Superstition Mountain hasan elevation of 5,024 feet. Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum - Find yourself in the Old West Over the next few weeks we will provide some images and photos taken at or very near the site. 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day and Easter. The elder Ruth had fallen and badly broken several bones while seeking the lost Pegleg mine in California. Some places have long been thought to be simply no good. There are many stories about hidden gold in the Superstition Mountains, and these usually mention the Peralta Family. They either mined or found enormous gold deposits in the Superstition Mountains. Padre Kino founded many missions including Mission San Xavier del Bac near Tucson. We will share as much as we can for now, but as I stated earlier we are preparing for a return trip, and the location has to remain secret. Lights, screams, and shadows of Apache armies have been reported. This is your spot. 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. FREE with paid Adult Superstition Mountain Museum is located in an area full of legend, history and intrigue. Legend tells of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine hidden somewhere within the 160,000 acres of brutal Arizona desert known as the "Superstition Mountains.". "Tex" Bradford of Globe Arizona went in search of the "Lost Dutchman Mine"; by October 1933 he had been missing for nine months. Since Ruth's death, there have been several other deaths or disappearances in the Superstition Mountains. Then his body would finally be found wedged into a remote and inaccessible crevice, with the official cause of death a mystery. 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. Ruth ended his note with the phrase "Veni, vidi, vici. You'll find us in the rugged 160,000 acre Superstition Mountain range in the Tonto National Forest in Central Arizona. 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. 1: Recorded description of the museum. His body would later be found with a bullet hole to the head. However, the Peralta Mine eventually became unprofitable and after the money was gone Miguel Peralta turned to fraud. TheSuperstition Mountains, furthermore, are the abode of the Thunder God, and he causes the frequent regional thunderstorms. 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. Seniors $6.00 (65 and older) 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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". Whether a wedding, elopement,, The amphitheater and other outdoor locations on the Museum's property are available for outdoor events including small catered receptions. Excellent place to learn a lot about the local history of the Superstition Mountains. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Everyone else? It is rumoured that if the stones are put together in the right way, they are a map to the Peralta Familys gold deposits. In 1847-1848 during the time of the Hidalgo Treaty when Mexico sold the territory to the United Sates the Peraltas, knowing they would lose access to their mines made one last trip bringing hundreds of miners from Sonora to mine as much as they could, but were attacked by Apaches. Erwin passed the information to his father Adolph, who had a long-standing interest in lost mines and amateur exploration.