
Lost Treasure And Cursed Aztec Gold In Utah’s Wilderness?
The hunt for buried treasure is a topic that has captivated millions for generations. Numerous stories and films have been told of lost riches just waiting to be found. From the classic book "Treasure Island" by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson to the adventures of "Indiana Jones" created by George Lucas, the thought of finding a lost treasure is a thrilling adventure that many would love to at least be a part of in some way.
I myself am captivated by a modern treasure hunt featured in a History Channel original docuseries "The Curse of Oak Island". It is a 200 year old hunt for riches on an island in Nova Scotia.
Utah is quite the place to keep something hidden
The Beehive State is a geographic wonder with its abundant natural beauty, scenic mountains, vast desserts, forest covered wilderness, colorful gorges, and challenging terrain, Utah has multitudes of nooks and crannies to keep anything of value safe and secure.
Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch Lost Loot
In April of 1897 Cassidy, Sundance and the Wild Bunch pulled off a well organized train heist in Castle Gate, Utah. They absconded with at the time $7,000 of payroll cash for the Pleasant Valley Coal Company. Combined with other loot from other heists it is estimated to be worth millions in todays money, Cassidy's loot has never been recovered it is now believed to be buried near their hideout known as Robbers Roost located somewhere about 50 miles east of Hanksville, UT.
Utah's Annual Treasure Hunt
Started during the pandemic by David Cline and John Maxim in 2020 the pair wanted to give people a healthy activity that would get people out and into nature. initially the hid a small box containing $10,000 somewhere in the Utah wilderness and then left clues on social media as to where to look. This has been going on every year since then with the amount increasing to $25,000 for the lucky finder. The last box to be found was in Grove Creek in Pleasant Grove in 2024.
The Lost Joshephine Mine
According to Utah lore Spanish Jesuit priests established the mine somewhere in the Uinta Mountains in 1650. Mining out rich veins of both Gold and silver out of the mine for the Spanish King. The mine was latter abandoned in 1680 after things became hostile with the native Ute people. In a hurry to get back to Spain it is said that the Jesuits left the valuable gold and silver locked in a vault inside the mine, and the Mine has been lost every since.
Montezuma's Cursed Gold
According to oldwest.org the Spanish Conquistadors lead by Hernán Cortés made landfall in 1519 at what is now Mexico, and home of the Aztec Empire ruled by none other than Montezuma II. To keep the peace Montezuma would give offerings of gold and jewels to the Spanish. The offering would only fan the flames for Cortes' lust for gold.
A year later, after many one sided battles, Montezuma was killed in 1520 and the Conquistadors started to plunder everything they could but could not find the vast riches of gold they had witnessed prior the emperors demise.
Legend has it that warriors and servants were sent with the gold north to the ancient ancestral home in the mid-west of the now US. The gold was buried and many warriors and slaves were ritually sacrificed to protect the treasure from any that would come to claim it.
Today it is believed to be buried in a water logged cave near Kenab, UT. This Mystery has been featured in an episode of another History Channel docuseries called "America Unearthed". In this they describe search efforts as being hindered by a curse, with divers saying that they had seen ghostly images underwater as well as the sensation of being choked, having their breathing mask pulled off, and turning off their air tanks.
Why are drawn to a good treasure hunt
For many it is the simple lust for gold or the thought of getting stupidly rich quick. But I think for the majority of us enjoy a wonderous tale of adventure and for those actively searching, each new clue is part of a grand puzzle that has major rewards at the end of it all. Puzzle are one of the reasons games like Tomb Raider, and Uncharted are very popular as treasure hunting puzzle solving games.
What ever it is that draws you to go looking for treasure just know that it would only be for bragging rights as by the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 any treasure or artifact older than 100 years is State Property and must be handed over to the state.
12 Lost Treasures To Be Found In The Treasure State
Gallery Credit: Nick Northern