Few People Know About The Hidden Treasure Supposedly Buried In Arizona's Sierra Estrella Mountains
By Katie Lawrence|Published March 08, 2023
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
You’ve probably heard the legend of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine in the Superstition Mountains, but there’s another story about buried treasure in Arizona that far fewer people are aware of. This is the tale of Don Joaquin, who allegedly buried as much as 3,000 pounds of gold in the Sierra Estrella Mountains. Learn the facts, then decide for yourself whether or not you believe it.
Please note that mining (and even metal detecting) is strictly prohibited in Arizona’s recreational and wilderness areas. This story is meant for entertainment purposes only.
Legend has it that sometime in the mid-1800s, a fellow by the name of Don Joaquin led an underground (literally and figuratively) mining operation in the Sierra Estrella Mountains that proved to be quite lucrative.
By the time it was all said and done, Joaquin and his crew had extracted roughly 3,000 pounds of gold - and nobody knew about it except for them.
Around 1847, however, Joaquin received word that the U.S. Army was planning to take over all of the mines in the area. He knew right away that he had to take drastic action or risk losing his riches forever.
He made a map to mark the spot, then promptly murdered the crew member who helped him hide the treasure so he would be the only one who knew where it was located.
Upon returning to camp, Joaquin was immediately questioned by his remaining crew members about where their fellow man had gone. He concocted a lie, but they saw right through it, murdering him and keeping the map for themselves.
It's quite possible the entire story was made up by author John D. Mitchell, who wrote about the alleged hidden treasure in a novel. Another theory states that Joaquin's men used the map to locate the treasure and fled to Mexico with it.
The trail on which the mine is supposedly located does contain a shaft (that's now totally filled in, by the way, so don't get your hopes up!) - but that isn't at all uncommon for the area.
There's also an old rock house that can be seen in pictures from as early as the 1930s, as well as a stump that the Spanish used to signify that gold is somewhere nearby.
Watch this YouTube video by Random Tangents to hear the story in more detail:
Have you heard the story of Don Joaquin’s lost gold? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! Don’t forget to check out our previous article for a nearby town that just might be the quirkiest town in Arizona.
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