MOJAVE MULESKINNERS

Superstition Mountain Museum

 

 

                                     

 

                                   Apache Trail/Hwy 88, Apache Junction, AZ

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• Heritage Days & Apacheland Remembered

 

The Superstition Mountain Museum collects, preserves and displays the artifacts, history and folklore of the Superstition Mountains, Apache Junction and the surrounding region. Perhaps nowhere in the entire United States is there an area full of legend, history and intrigue as the rugged 160,000 acre Superstition Mountain range in Central Arizona.

 

Archeological evidence indicates that people were here some 9000 years ago. Later inhabitants included the Salado, Hohokam and Apache Indians, followed by Spanish explorers and Mexican Gold Miners. Early American trappers and adventurers migrated to the area and were soon followed by cattlemen and farmers. Eventually, the U.S. Cavalry was sent in to establish forts to protect this rapidly growing population. As modern times approached, men and women began searching for what they believed was the richest gold mine in the world. This mine was made famous by Jacob Waltz, known as "the Dutchman", who took the secret of "his mine" to the grave in 1891.Even today, treasure hunters scour the mountains searching for the Lost Dutchman Mine, but now they share the region with campers, hikers, horseback riders and conservationists in what has officially become the Superstition Wilderness Area.

 

The 12 acre Museum site offers untold photo opportunities with it's reproductions of 19th Century businesses including a Wells Fargo office, stage coach stop, barber shop, assay office and other displays of authentic relics of the 1800's. Well marked nature walks crisscross the areas surrounding the museum buildings, all located at the base of the West Wall of the beautiful Superstition Mountain.....a one of a kind location. Visit the Elvis Memorial Chapel and the Audie Murphy Barn, museums in their own right, which were moved to the museum, piece by piece, following the second fire at the Apacheland Movie Ranch.

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