He sent his sergeant with six of his best men to go dig up the booty-- but before Mosby's men could reach the loot, they were captured by Union soldiers and hanged. Tall tales, trip guides, & the world's weird & wonderful. The stories of lost gold mines still lure prospectors, even today. In order to insure their treasure would be passed down to their kin if they were to die before getting back to their homes, the men hid a majority of the treasure, but not before Beale created 3 ciphers. and the related United States laws regarding lost and found property.8 This article will not discuss other legal issues, such as coins found in shipwrecks (which has given rise to a large body of statute law and litigation in itself), nor legal restrictions on import and export of archaeological artifacts to and from the United States. The instructions were as follows: If Beale didn't return in 10 years, a key would be delivered to Morriss to open the box containing the ciphers. The prisoners were blindfolded, marched to the site, and burdened with heavy sacks which they were forced to carry back to the village. We must ask ourselves the toughest question of all -- "Do I believe there is still gold to be found in the desert?" Mosby was the only person left alive who knew where the treasure was buried. USS Mona Island: 1975 A repair ship that was scuttled as an artificial reef off Wachapreague. In the late 1800's the West was the place to be if you were looking to strike it rich. Mosby and his men captured 42 Union soldiers who were camping out at the Fairfax County Courthouse without firing a single shot. On their way back, Mosby's Raiders ran into a little trouble; his scouts discovered that he and his men were about to walk right into a huge contingent of Union soldiers. In Arizona's Lost Dutchman State Park, you'll find camping, hiking, horseback riding, and stargazing, but all of that seems a lot less exciting when you consider that one of the biggest stockpiles of treasure is hidden in the park's Superstition Mountains (seriously, what an appropriate name). Mines which provided silver, copper, and gold to American Indians have been sought by white settlers since the country west of the Ohio River was first explored. Crafted by House of Cartier, the necklace had 2,930 diamonds in it, including … Lost Treasure By State . Wow was I surprised to see that. Also See: An Anchor in Bellingham Bay. Forrest Fenn wants you to have all of his money when he dies. Today you're best off searching somewhere along the shores of the Bighorn River. Hey Quoddy now there's a state you haven't hit YET! There are reports that there is a cache of Civil War-era valuables worth upwards of $350,000 buried deep in the woods of Fairfax County, Virginia. Unfortunately over the centuries, these hidden treasure stories can take on a life of their own, with little documented evidence or proof of their existence, but also many have left hints of history behind. It all started when Confederate Colonel (and notorious guerilla fighter) John Singleton Mosby launched a daring night raid one rainy night in early March of 1863. Yakima County – Pierre Rabado’s Lost Mine is thought to be located near Mt. Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you to hit the road! Fenn fell in love with ancient artifacts. Lost Dutchman Gold Mine – Arizona There apparently was a gold mine that was ‘discovered’ in the 1840s in the appropriately named Superstition Mountains of central Arizona. A hidden treasure … Some have made it to the black market. There isn't even solid evidence of the mine's actual existance, but that doesn't stop thousands of tourists from flocking to the mountains in Arizona each year, hoping to find the mythical mine and strike it rich. There are some who believe that the prisoners created the stories of the silver as a means of entertaining their listeners after being ransomed, but the Shawnee acquired their silver, which they worked into armbands, amulets, and other items from somewhere. According to the legend, Dillinger escaped through the back door with a suitcase full of $200,000 in unmarked bills. The Infamous Victor Smith & a Tale of Three Lost Treasures. The difficulty in finding the site has been complicated by the fact that there was more than one village named Chillicothe, and the villages moved from time to time. There are people who spend their whole lives and considerable sums of money searching for sunken treasure ships, lost mines, and hidden loot. The Confederate army also, according to legend, found a burlap sack containing family heirlooms and treasures taken from the homes of Virginia's wealthiest planters in Brigadier General Edwin H. Stoughton's room. Lost Treasure Magazine Website . He set off into the mountains in search of the mine, and half a year later, his remains were discovered, alongside a note, apparently written by him, claiming that he had found the treasure. The story varies wildly-- sometimes there's two German immigrants (hence the name "Dutchman"), sometimes one, usually named Jacob Waltz. Reports from prisoners of the Shawnee in the early 1790s indicate that the Little Miami location was not the region of the mines, since it was destroyed by George Rogers Clark in 1780. Here's your guide to the top 5 long-lost treasures still waiting to be discovered. The best of Roadtrippers - hand picked by our team! Captain Grant Marsh was on his way to deliver $375,000 to resupply General Custer's army when he heard of Custer's defeat. Recently Discovered Treasures . Treasures are hidden all around us, and all we have to do is search for them. The same can be said for each of the towns named Chillicothe, which also existed further north in Ohio, on both the Maumee and the St. Mary’s River. Well, I just thought I would share that small bit of info with those who weren't watching! Lost Treasures in the United States and Nearby Are there any real treasure maps that could lead to your backyard? Legends, Ghosts, Myths & Mysteries. Here are some amazing treasures that are yet to be discovered. Back in the early 1930s, a Mexican millionaire named Leon. Made famous by the movie “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, Stephen Spielberg introduced the world to the lore of the ark containing the 10 Commandments. Did you know: If you use the Roadtrippers mobile app, your trips will instantly auto-sync over... Ready for navigation and good times! The prisoners who described carrying the silver mentioned that it came from a place not far from a stream. Give it your best shot. A family worked the mine and shipped the gold back to Mexico until a group of Apaches slaughtered them. More Treasures Just Waiting To Be Found. There were villages of that name – actually Chalagawtha – on the Scioto River, the Little Miami River, the Great Miami River, and others. In April 1934, one of America's most infamous gangsters managed to escape from the Little Bohemia Lodge in Mercer, Wisconsin before he could be captured by the FBI. Sam Bass's lost stolen $20 gold pieces, a mysterious Stagecoach holdup in Idaho, wagon loads of dimes that disappeared and Levi Strauss. Once you've brushed up on your orienteering and wilderness survival skills, head to the Superstition Mountain Museum to check out their exhibit on the Lost Dutchman's Mine and get a really extensive history on the various legends of the treasure. According to the legend, Marsh attempted to retrieve the buried gold twice, and on his final trip a heavy rain caused a mud slide that hid the gold for good. Wikimedia The Shawnee Silver Mines of Ohio The Thomas Beale Ciphers Somewhere in Virginia’s Bedford County is a cache of riches which have been estimated to be worth more than $40 million dollars in today’s currency. The Thomas Beale cipher is one of the most interesting real-life treasure quests. Good hunting. So the source of their silver in Ohio has yet to be found. The room, which is a small space created entirely out of amber panels with gold leaf and mirrors, was built in the 18th century for Friedrich I, the first king of Prussia. Mosby, unsure of what was ahead and unwilling to let the valuables fall back into Union hands, took his most trusted sergeant and buried the treasure in the woods "between two pine trees", marking them with an X so he would be able to find it again. Pick your state to find treasures and ghost towns in your area. Knowing he would have to take the injured solders aboard the Far West, he and his men buried the gold for safe-keeping. Its most prominent leader was Chief Blackfish, and it was to this village that Daniel Boone was taken when he was held prisoner by the Shawnee. Some have been stowed away in private collections. Maybe even to be found by you. 10 Amazing Lost Treasures No One Can Find. The legend of the Lost Dutchman's Mine is one of the most infamous and widely disputed in America-- but the story of a gold mine, loaded with riches, hidden in the desert just won't seem to die out. Register with lovemoney.com and connect with clever people, personalised content and all the tools you need to get the most out of your money. Tecumseh is often said to have been born there, in reality he was born in the village on the Scioto, though he did live on the Little Miami for a time. The most likely location based on the reports of the prisoners would be the village on the St. Mary’s River. The coastal areas of Virginia and the Carolinas are said by some to contain treasure left behind by Blackbeard, Stede Bonnett and other pirates who once roamed the seas off the America’s preying on merchantmen and Spanish treasure ships. America's most famous example is the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine, which is said to be located somewhere near Weaver's Needle in Arizona's rugged Superstition Mountains. Mosby and his men rounded up their captives, packed up the treasure and headed back towards Confederate lines. Many have been missing so long they have transformed from treasure to legend to rumor. Blackbeard's Treasure. According to prisoners taken by the Shawnee Indians from the white settlements in Kentucky and Ohio, just a half days walk from their main village of Chillicothe, was a site where the Shawnee mined silver. He had every intention of recovering the goods as soon as it was safe...but things didn't work out that way. The only thing that seems to remain consistent is the location-- somewhere in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. There's even a version where US Army veterans stumble across the treasure. Part of the site of Old Chillicothe on the Little Miami River near Xenia, Ohio. Merida: 13 May 1911 Collided with SS Admiral Farragut. He's not the only one who has lost his life in search of the gold-- since then, about half a dozen or so others have died looking for the mine. Here are some amazing treasures that are yet to be discovered. Tales of Lost Treasure in the United States plus general articles for treasure hunters Today the region of the Great Dismal Swamp is rich farmland. Some are … USS Moore: 13 June 1975 With so many conflicting stories, the Lost Dutchman's Mine would have simply been forgotten, a legend lost to time, if it hadn't been for an expedition led by a man named Adolph Ruth, an amateur explorer and treasure hunter, in the early 1930's. Gold Mining during the Early Roman Empire. Here are ten tales of lost treasure in the United States. Found Treasure In Usa . The Lost Dutchman Mine – Superstition Mountains East of Phoenix, Arizona The story behind this mine is made up of a many different things to a many different people. The map he had that led him to the mine was missing, and there were two bullet holes in his skull, which looked like they were fired at point blank from a high-powered rifle, leading many to believe that he had been murdered. Remaining hidden since the 1820s, the riches are described in a ciphered … The swamp stretched from western Lake Erie to just inside what is now the Indiana state line, although there were portions which were dry year round, elevated above the flood plain. The Shawnee Indians of the Ohio Valley possessed silver in large amounts, but from whence it came has never been proven, and throughout Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia there are sites believed to be the source. I don't suggest setting off in search for the mine without doing some very thorough preparation. Treasure Stories By State . These include lost mines, buried hoards of gold & silver, sunken ships, or other hidden wealth. 1. Lost Buried Treasures Hidden Treasure discoveries can happen anytime, anywhere, unexpectedly, or through extensive research and expense that may eventually reveal these artifacts of history. It was from there that they traded with the British forts in Michigan, and heard Tecumseh’s calls for unity among the tribes and more. Another somewhat more widely known one is the Lost Davis Mine. Outlaw Roy Gardner’s Buried Loot. Gold, platinum, and diamonds worth more than $5 billion. Will you be the lucky one who finds the booty? He was never able to return, however, and he took the location of some of Virginia's most precious heirlooms with him to his grave. It was eventually gifted to Peter the Great, and remained in the possession of Russia until World War II. The Crown Jewels of England: King John (the Magna Carta King) lost his treasures in 1215 as rising tides took away his luggage. Of all the lost treasures in the world, none have as much perceived value as The Ark of The Covenant. The Infamous Victor Smith & a Tale of Three Lost Treasures Rare Gold Nuggets. Both New York and New Jersey were once areas resorted to by Captain William Kidd, and long have tales been told of treasure he left there. At the time, the United States was in the midst of the Great Depression, and with the value of the dollar about to plunge, the price of gold was about to explode. History is full of tales about stashes of treasure left behind by pirates, scoundrels, and thieves, and lucky for us, some that fortune is still up for grabs. Do you know of other ghost towns or treasure stories? Washington Main Page The prisoner’s description of the area makes it difficult to follow. The question is, "Do these lost mines exist, and are the legends of the lost treasures true?" The idea of finding a lost treasure has universal appeal. This is becoming more than I ever expected it to be, this geocaching stuff. At the time the village was located near a region which was known as the Great Black Swamp. Jason Stokes. Email us the details.You and your club will get full credit! By then the Shawnee were long gone, with yet another Chillicothe appearing near Fort Wayne, Indiana. Real Lost Treasures In America Adams. Compiled and edited by Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, updated October, 2015. Jewelry, candlesticks, coins and more were reportedly among the booty that was on its way to Union authorities. It simply states that an old Indian had died who was the last living person who knew the location of the mine. He and his men arrived back to Culpepper, but it was a few months before Mosby felt it was safe enough to retrieve the goods. If he did have a secret he must have taken it with him. Many believe it is easier to find a mine that has been lost, than to discover a new location. December 3, 2020. A hidden treasure chest filled with valuable artefacts was recently found thanks to an avalanche. It was there that the bulk of the Chalagawtha division of the Shawnee settled after the destruction of their lower towns. “A young lady lost her engagement ring in dry sand in front of the concession stand at Grand Haven State Park,” he said. Today the area is an unincorporated village called Oldtown. Also See: Destinations Across America. In Arizona's Lost Dutchman State Park, you'll find camping, hiking, horseback riding, and stargazing, but all of that seems a lot less exciting when you consider that one of the biggest stockpiles of treasure is hidden in the park's Superstition Mountains (seriously, what an appropriate name). They also have the Peralta Stones, which they claim are engraved with cryptic clues that point toward the location of the mine. Created by Roadtrippers - August 30th 2016. An independent agency of the Government of the United States of America established by U.S. Public Law 99-83. Trabuco arranged several secret and mysterious flights in the desert of New Mexico. When Fenn was only nine years old, he found an arrowhead near his home in Texas—an arrowhead that would shape the rest of his life. Once cracked, the first cipher would give away the location of the treasure, the second tells the contents, and the third names the next of kin. Both the states of Indiana and Ohio drained most of the swamp during the 1800s. Chillicothe on the Little Miami is sometimes referred to as Old Chillicothe to distinguish it from the others of that name, and is the most prominently discussed region when considering the location of the mines, because it was the largest of the villages. While the film was released and shown publicly, it is now lost. Some claimed to have found them, but their locations since became lost. Sometimes the treasure is a vein of pure gold, or the abandoned mine of the Peralta family, or a cache of goods stolen from Mexican miners. The legend of the Lost Dutchman's Mine is one of the most infamous and widely disputed in America-- but the story of a gold … On the Travel channel tonight they had the Top Ten Lost Treasures in the United States and #6 was GEOCACHING in Seattle Washington. Lost Treasures . A neon-fueled road trip along Route 66's most iconic spots, Declare independence at these Revolution-era pubs, Road trip along the Oregon Trail: A journey through history, Highway 12 is called "A Journey Through Time Scenic Byway", Beaches, beef and the Bean: 48 Hours in Chicago, An offbeat Orlando road trip guide for weirdos, 48 Hours in Orlando: Things to do that aren't a theme park, Meet "Big Daddy": Roadtripping US-20, the Longest Road, The ultimate guide to the must-see attractions along I-95. All these stories are of treasures in the western United States that have never been recovered and are still waiting somewhere out in the American west to be found by someone. 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