Arizona is the quintessential state of western legend and lore, permanently documented in a vast array of books, magazines, movies, television programs, and museum exhibits. One of the most famous Arizona legends of all is the mystique surrounding the Lost Dutchman Mine near present day Apache Junction, 38 miles east of Phoenix.
Supposedly, the fabled story of the mine begins in the 1840s, when the Peralta family from northern Mexico discovered a rich vein of gold in the Superstition Mountains close to the present day museum. The last time the they tried to send gold back to Mexico was in 1848 but most members of the expedition were said to have been ambushed and massacred by Apaches, with only two of the Peraltas making it back to Mexico.
Legend had it that the Apaches blocked up the mine as they were furious that these foreigners had carelessly and greedily violated a holy place. However, by the 1870s a German immigrant named Jacob Walz (why he was known as “The Dutchman” is a mystery) and a friend had rediscovered the mine. According to one version of this tale, Walz turned treacherous and killed his friend, among other people seizing complete control of the mine.
The ruthless, violent history of Walz became the basis of a popular, if highly fictionalized account in the film Lust For Gold (1949) starring Glenn Ford (as Walz) and Ida Lupino as his equally treacherous and greedy love interest. Some scenes were actually filmed in the magnificent Superstitions bringing some realism to the proceedings. Nonetheless, Walz and his paramour both come to bad ends – along with anyone else who has since tried to locate the mine and hidden caches of the gleaming treasure as Lust For Gold makes quite clear.
The Superstition Museum comprises 14 acres containing numerous indoor and outdoor exhibits about many other aspects of Arizona history as well. One of the best exhibits is the Apache Movieland Ranch where a great deal of filming for TV and movies (mainly westerns) has occurred during the 1950s and 1960s. One of the more famous buildings on the grounds is the Elvis Presley Memorial Chapel which appeared in Charro! (1969). This was Presley’s third and final western, and the only film he ever starred in without singing.
Along with the movie and TV exhibits for such hugely popular shows of the past such as Have Gun, Will Travel (1960) there are mining and railroad structures to tour, the huge “movie barn” which contains memorabilia from many Hollywood productions. While there may or may not still be gold in those hills…the area still has an abundance of natural wildlife treasures such as fierce javelina, wily coyotes, and ringtail cats pictured below.
For more information visit: https://superstitionmountainmuseum.org
