|
 I
don’t recall the first time I hiked to the top of
Bluff Springs Mountain, but it was with my father
sometime in the late 1940’s. I was attending Hill
Street Elementary School in Globe, Arizona. We drove
out to the old Quarter Circle U Ranch and hiked up
Bark Draw to the old William’s Camp then east toward
Bluff Spring’s water trough and cabin.
We started our accent of the mountain from the
southeast end. I was worn out by the time we arrived
at the base of Bluff Springs, but my dad wanted to
climb to the top and into the interior of the
mountain. My back pack was quite heavy even though I
was only carrying my bedroll, pillow and some water.
Dad was carrying our food and other necessities.
We climbed over the southeastern end of Bluff
Springs Mountain and hiked down into the canyon on
top of the mountain and set camp near a pool of
water. We had a small two-man pup tent. Once camp
was set Dad rested for awhile then decided to do a
little looking around. He suggested I stay in camp,
however in my spare time I could gather some wood
for the fire. He also advised me to be very careful
about snakes because it was spring time and they
were out.
 The reason for my father’s trip to Bluff Spring’s
Mountain was to find something that was Spanish or
Mexican. Something that would prove the Spanish or
Mexicans were mining or prospecting in the area. Dad
was checking out a story he was told by old Pete
Petrasch who lived in Globe. According to Pete, he
and his brother Hermann had a camp on Tortilla
Mountain. Pete had committed suicide about three or
four years earlier. Dad knew most of the old timers
around Globe and Miami and he was always listening
for another treasure story or tale that he could
check out. Father loved to check out lost mine
stories. It was his hobby and an opportunity for
some recreation and outdoor fun.
I wandered around the camp site area searching for
wood while dad hiked up toward the eastern façade of
Bluff Spring’s Mountain. Petrasch had told father
there were some steel rings embedded in the rock
near the eastern edge of the mountain. When dad
returned to camp he said he found nothing that would
confirm old Petrasch’s story. The next morning we
hiked down Bluff Springs Mountain Canyon toward the
north end of the mountain. All I could think about
was the long hike out of this country. We spent the
morning hours looking around the north end of the
mountain. We did discover some markings and maybe
some very ancient petroglyphs on an outcrop of black
rock, probably basalt.
By ten o’clock we were back in camp and packed up
for the long walk out. Thank goodness, I thought,
most of our hike out would be down hill. We hiked
down off the southeast end of the mountain to the
Crystal Springs area then headed for Miner’s Summit.
The hike from Miner’s Summit to the Quarter Circle U
Ranch is a long walk, but most of it was down hill.
It was on hikes like these that I grew to love the
desert. I was very fortunate to have a father who
loved to take me into the hills and share his dreams
and expectations with me. Dad never really believed
the mine existed, but he wasn’t going to leave
anything up for grabs without checking it out.
Basically this is how I was introduced to the tale
of the Dutchman’s Lost Mine.
My father instilled in me the importance of
historical preservation. He always said the cultural
history of a region was worth preserving for future
generations to explore and learn about. He always
talked about the many characters and their dreams of
striking it rich. His dream certainly has been
fulfilled with the construction and development of
two museums in the Apache Junction area, especially
two museums on the Apache Trail. I never forget the
conversations he had with Jack Anderson before he
died about someday seeing a museum in Apache
Junction about our area.
The Curtiss’ and Andersons in 1938 gave the Don’s
Club of Arizona a perpetual easement on a piece of
land they owned fifty feet by 100 feet to build
their monument. One might say this was the beginning
of the museum movement in Apache Junction.
Yes, I agree this is stretching it quite a bit. Then
again, maybe not! This was all started when I was
born in 1938.
Today Apache Junction has two museums. One is
located on the Apache Trail near Mountain View Road
and the other is located in the Goldfield Ghost
Town. Both organizations are preserving the unique
history of Superstition Mountain and the surrounding
region. I am sure your support of these fine
organizations will help preserve the history of this
area for future generations to enjoy. |
