Western Gold: Brief Tales of California’s Lost Treasures

Sections

Death Valley: An Overview
The Legend of Scotty's Castle
The Lost Fortune of the French Saddle Maker
Rattlesnake Dick's Hidden Loot
The Unfound Bounty of the Bentz Company Robbery
The Bodie Stage Heist
Joaquin Murietta's Buried Loot
The Cache of Mokelumne Hill
The Hijackers' Lost Treasure at Camp Oak Grove
The Hidden Cave near Avila
The Pirate Treasure of Los Angeles
The Burnt Wagon Train's Treasure

Each section presents fascinating lore concerning different lost treasures, providing a captivating journey into California's colorful past.

The Legend of Scotty's Castle

The history of Death Valley would be incomplete without mentioning the enigmatic character, Scotty. Scotty's Castle, now a tourist attraction, was a symbol of his extravagant lifestyle. Rumors persist that Scotty hid $200,000 in gold coins somewhere near the castle. The truth of his wealth remains a subject of debate, with some arguing that Scotty was as rich as the legends suggest, while others believe he had no money at all. Regardless of the truth, the story of Scotty's hidden wealth continues to tantalize treasure seekers.

The Lost Fortune of the French Saddle Maker

Another intriguing tale from California’s treasure trove involves a French saddle maker's fortune. According to the legend, a substantial fortune is concealed on the Rancho Santa Teresa near San Jose. Although the credibility of this story is questionable, it adds another layer of mystery to the wealth of stories of hidden treasure in the west.

Rattlesnake Dick's Hidden Loot

In the Trinity Mountains near Cecilville in Siskiyou County, an outlaw named Rattlesnake Dick reportedly hid $80,000 in stolen money. Despite numerous attempts to locate the loot, the exact location remains a mystery. The story of Rattlesnake Dick's hidden stash adds a touch of outlaw allure to the treasury of west coast tales.

The Unfound Bounty of the Bentz Company Robbery

The loot from the infamous Bentz Company robbery, hidden near Biggs in Colusa County, has never been recovered. This unsolved mystery is yet another thrilling chapter in the treasure lore of Death Valley. The allure of undiscovered wealth continues to draw treasure hunters to this region.

The Bodie Stage Heist

The Bodie stage heist is another thrilling tale from California’s past. The treasure from the holdup of the Bodie stage north of Bodie in Mono County, and a strongbox from the Bodie stage at Freeman Junction, about 60 miles east of Bakersfield, have never been found. These unsolved mysteries add to the region's mystique and continue to captivate the imagination of treasure seekers.

Joaquin Murietta's Buried Loot

The infamous bandit Joaquin Murietta, notorious for his daring exploits, is believed to have hidden some of his loot in Arroyo Cantoova and Hornitos, and near Burney in Northern California. Although many have attempted to locate Murietta's lost treasures, their exact locations remain unknown. The legend of Murietta's buried wealth is an enduring part of western treasure lore.

The Cache of Mokelumne Hill

In Mokelumne Hill, along Route 49 in the Mother Lode country, a cache of 50 gold coins is said to be hidden in an old foundation wall. This story is another fascinating addition to the treasury of lost fortunes associated with California treasure mysteries.

The Hijackers' Lost Treasure at Camp Oak Grove

The San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles County are home to another intriguing tale. It is believed that hijackers once stashed $30,000 at Camp Oak Grove. Despite numerous searches, this treasure remains undiscovered, adding to the list of unsolved treasure mysteries.

The Hidden Cave near Avila

San Luis Obispo County holds its share of treasure tales. Near Avila, there is said to be an underground cave used by bandits to hide their loot. However, locating this elusive cave has proven to be a daunting task for treasure seekers.

The Pirate Treasure of Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, a pirate treasure is rumored to have been buried where Elysian Park now stands. If the legend is true, recovering this treasure without being noticed might be challenging, as the Los Angeles Police Department now uses this site for training.

The Burnt Wagon Train's Treasure

This article’s final tale of California's treasure lore involves a burnt wagon train. It is thought that a substantial treasure was lost when a wagon train traveling through Death Valley was set ablaze. The exact location of this treasure, like the others, remains a mystery.