More California Treasures Just Waiting To Be Found
California, a land of stunning landscapes and vibrant history, holds secrets buried beneath its sun-kissed surface. Beyond the well-trodden tourist paths and bustling cityscapes lie whispers of forgotten fortunes, patiently awaiting discovery. From the shores of the Pacific to the rugged mountain ranges, tales of lost gold, hidden caches, and outlaw loot continue to tantalize treasure hunters and history enthusiasts alike. This article delves into some of the most compelling stories of More California Treasures Just Waiting To Be Found, offering a glimpse into the rich tapestry of legends woven into the Golden State’s past.
Alameda County: A Bandit’s Burial Near Lake Merritt
The year was 1893, and the scene unfolded near the tranquil waters of Lake Merritt in Alameda County. Two bandits, desperate to evade a pursuing posse, allegedly concealed a cache of stolen loot in close proximity to a brick kiln at Adams Point. The relentless pursuit of the law proved too much for the outlaws. Lawmen caught up with them, resulting in one bandit’s death and the immediate arrest of the other. Tragically, the surviving outlaw met his end behind bars, leaving the location of their ill-gotten gains a mystery. To this day, the treasure remains unfound, a potential fortune hidden somewhere near the shores of Lake Merritt. The legend of More California Treasures Just Waiting To Be Found lives on.
Contra Costa County: Dr. Marsh’s Mountain Fortune
Dr. John Marsh, a prominent figure in early California history, is often hailed as the state’s first American doctor. Beyond his medical contributions, Marsh was rumored to have a peculiar habit: burying his wealth near his home nestled in the foothills of the imposing Mount Diablo. In 1856, tragedy struck when Marsh was murdered while traveling home from Martinez, forever silencing the secret of his hidden riches. Legend has it that Marsh concealed a substantial sum, estimated at $40,000 in gold coins, either near his residence or along the banks of Marsh Creek, a waterway named in his honor. Intriguingly, plans are underway to transform the area into a California State Park, potentially opening new avenues for exploration and the possible rediscovery of this historic treasure.
Adding to the allure of Contra Costa County is another captivating tale of More California Treasures Just Waiting To Be Found: a substantial cache of gold bars buried along the county’s beaches. In 1901, John Winters, an employee of the Selby Smelter at Vallejo Junction, engaged in a clandestine operation. Instead of focusing on refining ores from neighboring mining districts, Winters surreptitiously removed gold bars from the vault, one by one, and buried them on the beach near the water’s edge. His scheme involved an estimated $283,000 in gold, but his actions were eventually discovered. While authorities recovered approximately $130,000 of the stolen bars, a significant amount, exceeding $150,000, remains lost, potentially buried somewhere along the Contra Costa coastline.
Humboldt County: Robbery at Willow Creek and a Mint Heist
Humboldt County holds not one, but two enticing tales of lost treasure. The first involves a daring robbery at the small post office in Willow Creek in July 1928. Two outlaws made off with approximately $2,800, and according to local lore, they buried their loot in one of two possible locations, never to return. One version suggests the stolen cache lies near the Cedar Flat Bridge, which spans the Trinity River about four miles upriver from Burnt Ranch. The second location places the treasure somewhere up New River Canyon, specifically on the first ranch above the mouth of the New River.
Adding to the intrigue is the story of an employee of the San Francisco Mint who absconded with a significant amount of gold in 1894. The thief was apprehended and imprisoned, but he steadfastly refused to divulge the location of his hidden treasure. The treasure, consisting of approximately 290 pounds of gold ingots, is believed to be buried near Shelter Cove, in the vicinity of Point Delgado. These stories contribute to the allure of More California Treasures Just Waiting To Be Found in Humboldt County.
Inyo County: Scotty’s Secret Stash
Venturing into the arid landscape of Inyo County, we encounter the legend of Walter "Scotty" Scott, a flamboyant character associated with Scotty’s Castle in Death Valley. Legend whispers that Scotty, a known swindler and prospector, buried a cache of gold coins near the castle, potentially amounting to as much as $200,000. While Scotty never owned the castle, his connection to the man who did fuels speculation about his hidden fortune in the harsh desert environment.
Kings County: The Kingston Raid and a Bandit’s Demise
The now-vanished town of Kingston, once a stop on the Overland Stage route, became the scene of a daring raid in December 1873. The notorious Tiburcio Vasquez and his outlaw band descended upon the village, robbing the entire community and holding 39 men hostage. As the alarm was raised, the bandits made their escape, but chaos ensued. Three of the outlaws were killed in the melee, and the bandit carrying the stolen loot was wounded. Unable to reach a horse, the injured outlaw fled on foot, crossing the Kings River. Despite being pursued, neither the outlaw nor the loot could be found. Years later, a skeleton was discovered in the area, believed to be the injured bandit, but the ill-gotten cache remained elusive. Kingston itself was abandoned by the 1890s, leaving behind a tantalizing mystery of buried treasure.
Marin County: Prohibition Bootlegger’s Bounty
Not all lost treasures in California are linked to the Gold Rush era. During the Prohibition era, Carl Hause, a German whiskey smuggler, operated a lucrative business from Point Reyes Peninsula, near Drake’s Inlet. Hause was rumored to have buried approximately $500,000 in gold-backed currency somewhere between Inverness and the old Heims Ranch. However, Hause met a violent end, found shot to death in his car, before he could retrieve his hidden fortune. The currency remains lost, adding another layer to the intrigue of More California Treasures Just Waiting To Be Found.
Modoc County: Mountains, Lava Beds, and a Lost Ledge
Modoc County, though not a primary mining region, boasts its own collection of treasure tales. One story recounts a sheepherder who discovered a heavy rock on the slopes of the South Warner Mountains, later found to be almost pure gold. Despite a financed search, the source of the ore was never rediscovered. Another tale speaks of an Oregon emigrant who found a similar rock in the Devil’s Garden area in the 1850s, further fueling the legend of hidden ore. Sixty years ago, a family seeking shelter in the lava beds of northwest Modoc County claimed to have found a rich copper vein in a crater, but subsequent searches proved fruitless. During the Modoc Indian War in the 1860s, an army scout named Daniel Hoag reportedly discovered a rich gold ledge in the Warner Mountains, but he was killed in battle before he could return, leaving the ledge lost to time.
Nevada County: The Donner Party’s Desperate Measures
The tragic story of the Donner Party, trapped in the harsh winter of 1846, is intertwined with tales of buried money. One legend claims that George Donner buried approximately $10,000 in gold near Alder Creek. While never officially located, many believe it was unearthed after Donner’s death. Other party members are also said to have buried their savings in the area. Evidence supporting these claims emerged in May 1891 when a man found a five-franc silver piece while fishing on Donner Lake. A few days later, he and a friend discovered an entire sack of coins, believed to have been hidden by Elizabeth Graves.
San Luis Obispo County: Outlaw Caves Near Avila Beach
Numerous caves throughout San Luis Obispo County provided refuge for outlaws during California’s Wild West days. One group of bandits is said to have used a cave near Avila Beach as a hiding place, concealing much of their stolen loot within its depths. The exact location of this cave remains a mystery.
Shasta County: The Soldier’s Rifle and a Buried Payroll
In Shasta County, a detachment of soldiers transporting an Army payroll along the road between Redding and Weaverville was ambushed by Indians. During the battle, one soldier buried the gold and marked the spot by burying his rifle straight up in the ground. Severely wounded, he later recounted the story before dying. Despite an immediate search, the rifle and the hidden gold were never found. Years later, two deer hunters discovered the rifle but were unaware of its significance.
Tehama County: Peter Lassen’s Lost Fortune and a Miner’s Pick
Peter Lassen, a pioneer and landowner in California before the Gold Rush, established the Rancho Los Bosquejo in 1845. After his murder in 1859, a legend arose that Lassen had buried thousands of dollars in gold near his home. The buried cache is believed to be in Deer Creek Canyon near Vina, California, or along the Lassen Trail. Twenty years later, a miner named Obe Leininger found a gold-flecked ledge in the same area and marked the spot by burying his pick in a tree. However, he could not relocate the tree upon his return.
Trinity County: The Sheriff’s Lost Saddlebag
In 1862, the sheriff of Trinity County lost a saddlebag containing approximately $1,000 in gold coins and $50 gold slugs while crossing a stream. Despite a reward and diligent search efforts, the saddlebag was never recovered. Today, the gold slugs alone could be worth millions.
Yuba County: The Camptonville Prospector’s Loss
During the Gold Rush, a prospector named Bill Snyder consistently found large quantities of gold along Oregon Creek near Camptonville. When he became seriously ill, he buried his gold, estimated at $30,000, between two pine trees. Upon his return a year later, a sawmill had replaced his cabin and the trees. Despite searching diligently, he never found his buried gold.
These tales, passed down through generations, paint a vivid picture of More California Treasures Just Waiting To Be Found. They serve as a reminder that beneath the surface of this dynamic state lie secrets and possibilities, waiting for the determined and the fortunate to uncover them. Whether driven by historical curiosity, a thirst for adventure, or the lure of untold riches, the search for California’s lost treasures continues to captivate and inspire.
