most famous lost mine in American history: Arizona place-name expert Byrd Granger notes that, as of 1977, the Lost Dutchman story was 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 original story goes that Don Miguel Peralta found vast amount of gold deposits in the Superstitions in 1845 but that he and his men were discovered and killed by the Apaches. However, as one member of the Peralta party survived, he met with Waltz 30 years later and revealed to the German immigant - AKA "The Dutchman" the whereabouts of the "Sombrero Mine."
For years Waltz worked the mine without ever revealing its location and those who tried to follow him to the secret riches were either lost in the maze of canyons or found murdered.
People have been seeking the Lost Dutchman mine since 1892 after the Dutchman's death and according to one estimate, 8,000 people annually make some effort to locate the Lost Dutchman's mine. Former Arizona attorney general Bob Corbin is among those who have looked for the mine.
Others have argued the mine has little or no basis in fact and is a legend. No rich gold deposits have ever been found and geologists contend that the Superstition Mountains are an unlikely location for any gold deposits - however the legends and the gold seekers still persist.
The original story goes that Don Miguel Peralta found vast amount of gold deposits in the Superstitions in 1845 but that he and his men were discovered and killed by the Apaches. However, as one member of the Peralta party survived, he met with Waltz 30 years later and revealed to the German immigant - AKA "The Dutchman" the whereabouts of the "Sombrero Mine."
For years Waltz worked the mine without ever revealing its location and those who tried to follow him to the secret riches were either lost in the maze of canyons or found murdered.
People have been seeking the Lost Dutchman mine since 1892 after the Dutchman's death and according to one estimate, 8,000 people annually make some effort to locate the Lost Dutchman's mine. Former Arizona attorney general Bob Corbin is among those who have looked for the mine.
Others have argued the mine has little or no basis in fact and is a legend. No rich gold deposits have ever been found and geologists contend that the Superstition Mountains are an unlikely location for any gold deposits - however the legends and the gold seekers still persist.
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The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine is reportedly a very rich gold mine hidden in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction, Arizona, east of Phoenix. The land is a designated Wilderness Area, and mining is now prohibited there.
The mine is named after German immigrant Jacob Waltz. It is perhaps the
The mine is named after German immigrant Jacob Waltz. It is perhaps the
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