publisher page - february 2008

LOST DUTCHMAN'S GOLD

“There’s gold in these hills, tenderfoot,” says my mother to me each year during our annual trek to the Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction. Spend enough time in Arizona, and you’re bound to get gold fever. So grab your gold pan and shovel, arrange for a grub stake, buy a map, and saddle up your mule as I tell you about the Grand Canyon state’s most famous gold mine story - the Lost Dutchman.

The Superstition Mountains have been a source of mystery and legend since early times. The area is dotted with ancient cliff dwellings and caves, many showing signs of former habitation by a number of different Native American groups, up until the 1800's. Even the name is inspired by Pima Indian legends.

During the 1840's, the Peralta family of northern Mexico supposedly developed a rich gold mine in the Superstitions. According to legend, an Apache ambush ended the family's last expedition, and the gold remained in the area. In the 1870's, Jacob Waltz ("the Dutchman") was said to have located the mine through the aid of the Peralta descendant. Waltz and his partner, Jacob Weiser, worked in the mine and allegedly hid one or more caches of gold in the Superstitions. Most stories place the gold in the vicinity of Weaver's Needle (photo below).

After Waltz's death in 1891, several people attempted to seek out the Lost Dutchman's Mine, all without luck. Later searchers have sometimes met with foul play or even death, contributing to the superstition and legend of these mountains.

The legend of the "lost mine" has been fueled by a number of people who were supposed to have known the mine's location or even worked it. Maps have surfaced over the years, only to become lost or misplaced.

If your search for the treasure proves as fruitless as mine, you’ll be happy to know there’s a lot to do in and around the park. Named after the fabled lost gold mine, this park is located in the Sonoran Desert at an elevation of 2000 feet. The Lost Dutchman State Park offers a variety of hiking trails, nature trails, 70 regular campsites, picnic facilities, and special programs throughout the year. Mild winter climates and the close proximity to the Valley of the Sun makes this an ideal destination. During the winter, daytime temperatures usually reach about 60°F. The park is located 5 miles north of Apache Junction, off of AZ 88 (the old Apache Trail), at the base of the Superstition Mountains and is open 365 days a year from sunrise to 10pm.

Within close proximity to the park, you can also enjoy the Superstition Mountains, the Tonto National Forest, the world famous Apache Trail, and Apache, Canyon, Saguaro & Roosevelt Lakes.

Good luck with the search - you’re going to need it. According to mom, “This is our year!”

As always, welcome to Arizona - we’re thrilled to have you.

Thomas J. Ruberto (tenderfoot)
Owner / Publisher

Park and Lost Dutchman information courtesy of Arizona State Parks.