List of lost mines

The "lost mine" is a popular form of lost treasure legend. Although there are countless examples around the world, several common themes can be traced throughout the various legends. Usually the mines are said to contain valuable elements or minerals such as gold, silver or diamonds. Often there is a map or other document allegedly detailing the history or location of the mine. Common to all the lost mine legends is the idea of a valuable and mysterious resource being lost to history. Some lost mine legends have a historical basis, and some have none. Regardless, the lure of these legends is attested by the many books on the subject, and the popularity of publications such as Lost Treasure magazine.^[1]^[2]

List of lost mine legends

This list is inexhaustive, but provides some well known examples from around the world.

Mexico

Lost diamond mine of Vicente Guerrero
Lost Naranjal mine, Durango
Planchas de Plata, Sonora, (sometimes called Bolas de Plata).
Tayopa silver mine, Sonora

Russia

In the 19th century, gold fever was prevalent in the Ural region near Yekaterinburg. There are many legends of the lost mines, for example in Dmitry Mamin-Sibiryak's stories.
There are many modern stories of lost diamond mines in the Sakha region of north and northeast Russia^{[citation needed]}

United States

Arizona

Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine, Arizona
Iron Door Mine, Arizona

California

Lost Pegleg mine, California; supposedly found by mountain man "Pegleg" Smith.^[6]
Lost Breyfogle mine, California or Nevada
The Lost Cement Mine, California
The Lost Dutch Oven Mine, California
Death Valley Scotty's secret mine, California or Nevada
Lost Gunsight mine, California or Nevada
Lost Padre mine, southern California

Colorado

Recluse Goatherder's Gold Mine, Colorado
Three Skeletons, La Plata County, Colorado Archived 2017-01-31 at the Wayback Machine

Idaho

The Wheelbarrow Mine, Idaho

Kentucky

Swift's silver mine, Kentucky

Missouri

Yocum silver mine, Stone County, Missouri

Nevada

The Lost Sheepherders Mine, Jarbidge Wilderness, Nevada^[7]

New Mexico

Lost Adams Diggings, New Mexico or Arizona
Treasure of Victorio Peak, White Sands, New Mexico

Oregon

Lost Blue Bucket Mine, Oregon
Two Frenchmen Mine, Oregon

Texas

Lost Nigger Gold Mine, Texas
San Saba mine (sometimes called the Lost Bowie mine or the Lost Almagres mine), Texas

Utah

Lost Rhoades mine, Utah
Lost Josephine mine, Utah

Washington

Danville's Lost Gold Ledge, Washington (state)
Janni's chimney, Washington (state)
Lost Doukhobor Ledge, Washington (state)

References

^ Dobie, J. Frank; Shaw, Charles (1994). Coronado's children: tales of lost mines and buried treasures of the Southwest. Barker Texas History Center series (8. paperback pr ed.). Austin: Univ. of Texas Press. ISBN 978-0-292-71052-8.
^ Jameson, W. C. (1993). Buried treasures of the Rocky Mountain West: legends of lost mines, train robbery gold, caves of forgotten riches, and Indians' buried silver (1st ed.). Little Rock: August House. ISBN 978-0-87483-272-3.
^ "Brazil: Manuscript 512 and the Lost City". The Diplomat in Spain. 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
^ I. A. Mumme (1982) The Emerald, Port Hacking, New South Wales: Mumme Publications, pp. 21–22.
^ Schmetzer, Karl; Martayan, Gérard; Blake, Andrea R. (2020). "History of the Chivor Emerald Mine, Part II (1924–1970): Between Insolvency and Viability". Gems & Gemology. 56 (2): 230–257. doi:10.5741/GEMS.56.2.230. S2CID 229069710.
^ "Pegleg Smith Monument". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
^ Powers, Evea Harrington (1 January 2001). Lost Sheepherder Mine. Writer's Press. ISBN 9781931041362.

[1] Dobie, J. Frank; Shaw, Charles (1994). Coronado's children: tales of lost mines and buried treasures of the Southwest. Barker Texas History Center series (8. paperback pr ed.). Austin: Univ. of Texas Press. ISBN 978-0-292-71052-8.

[2] Jameson, W. C. (1993). Buried treasures of the Rocky Mountain West: legends of lost mines, train robbery gold, caves of forgotten riches, and Indians' buried silver (1st ed.). Little Rock: August House. ISBN 978-0-87483-272-3.

[3] "Brazil: Manuscript 512 and the Lost City". The Diplomat in Spain. 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2023-11-21.

[4] I. A. Mumme (1982) The Emerald, Port Hacking, New South Wales: Mumme Publications, pp. 21–22.

[5] Schmetzer, Karl; Martayan, Gérard; Blake, Andrea R. (2020). "History of the Chivor Emerald Mine, Part II (1924–1970): Between Insolvency and Viability". Gems & Gemology. 56 (2): 230–257. doi:10.5741/GEMS.56.2.230. S2CID 229069710.

[6] "Pegleg Smith Monument". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2022-09-28.

[7] Powers, Evea Harrington (1 January 2001). Lost Sheepherder Mine. Writer's Press. ISBN 9781931041362.

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