Since being established in 1976, the Lost Dutchman's Mining Association (or LDMA for short) has been providing gold mining & campgrounds where men, women, and their families can enjoy the vast outdoors, meeting new friends, and prospecting for gold, gems, and hidden treasures. Lost Dutchman Mine is an adventure/simulation video game developed and published in 1989 by Magnetic Images. Treacherous, rugged trails have long been a thorn to countless souls who have passed through the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix. [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 According to the legend, it is a very rich gold mine which resides somewhere hidden within the southwestern parts of the country. Skip to content. Blair contended that this story can be divided into "hawk" and "dove" versions, depending on whether the German(s) are said to behave violently or peacefully. 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. The Lost Dutchman is America’s most famous lost mine, and many people have risked their lives searching for it. But the mine remains shrouded in mystery, so much so that it might not exist at all. There are at least four Lost Dutchmans to be found in the American West – one in Colorado, one in California and the other two in Arizona. Below are a few of the updates: The site has received sponsorship for the coming year and in that vein the request for donations has been removed. Famed Apache Geronimo is sometimes mentioned in relation to this story. 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. [38] The park was expanded to 320 acres (130 ha) in 1983. Hiking and camping are popular activities. It is currently Thu Dec 17, 2020 1:09 pm. [12] The three soldiers set out to find the gold, but without success. In the mid-1940s, the headless remains of prospector James A. Cravey were reportedly discovered in the Superstition Mountains. 4650 N. Mammoth Mine Rd. The Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine is one of the most famous unsolved mysteries in the United States. Despite his efforts, Willing was never able to recover the money he gave to Peralta. Fortune seeker Barry Storm stumbles onto some clues that may lead him to the fabulous Lost Dutchman Mine, but others have tried and been murdered. Another detail which casts doubt on the story is the fact that, according to Blair, there was never any Dr. Thorne in the employ of the Army or indeed of the Federal Government in the 1860s. [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". The Lost Dutchman’s Mine has been folklore since the 19th century - but many believe in its existence deep in the Superstition Mountain range. There have been many stories about how to find the mine, and each year people search for the mine. Lost Dutchman Mine is a simulation game that casts the player in the role of a gold miner in the 1860's. [19][20] After this was unsuccessful, Thomas and her partners were reported to be selling maps to the mine for $7 each. 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). Helpful. 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. A brief history The mine was founded by Jacob Waltz, nicknamed "The Dutchman". Barkely repeatedly urged Ruth to abandon his search for the mine, because the terrain of the Superstition Mountains was treacherous even for experienced outdoorsmen, let alone for the 66-year-old Ruth in the heat of the Arizona summer. Board index. There are several paths that go through the brush and cacti. Comment Report abuse. We are currently in the process of planning for a return trip to further document our findings. ... 4650 N Mammoth Mine Rd . Game Review. The Lost Dutchman gold mine is believed to be nearby. As Curt Gentry wrote, "Dr. Hrdlicka positively identified the skull as that of Adolph Ruth. The Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine is one of the most famous unsolved mysteries in the United States. Game Review. A Murky Origin Story We have imaging taken, with Go-pros, Sony 7000s; Osmo stabilized film cameras and Dji Phantom and Bee-bop drones. 0.6 miles from Lost Dutchman State Park Years later, a man called Dr. Thorne treats an ailing or wounded Apache (often alleged to be a chieftain) and is rewarded with a trip to a rich gold mine. Quick links. The entire episode provides different thoughts and theories about this lost gold mine … This is a treasure hunt … Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2017. However, Ruth ignored Barkely's advice, and set out for a two-week stint in the mountains. However, the Peralta Mine eventually became unprofitable and after the money was gone Miguel Peralta turned to fraud. The story of the missing mine started when the Peralta family moved to the area in the early 19th century to try their luck at mining. Arcana Exploration has been there on four separate trips the first in October of 2015. Read more. In Part I of this article, the author told the story of how he learned of the mysterious Peralta Stones, which appear to offer significant clues, in fact, a map, to the location of the fabled Lost Dutchman’s Mine of Arizona’s Superstition Mountains. Here are some additional stories that may be of interest to you: Lost Dutchman Mine clues How We found the Peralta Treasures (Lost Dutchman) in the Superstition Mountains The Search For The Real Facts By 1864, Waltz was prospecting in Arizona and is reputed to have found a gold deposit near the Superstition mountain, known now as the legendary Lost Dutchman Mine. 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). Stayed in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction, east of via... He was taken captive by Navajos in 1854, and each year people search for the mine have in... 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