The Coolidge Examiner – Lookout Station on Superstition Mountain

Adolph Ruth was a nove treasure hunter whose pursuit of the legendary Lost Dutchman Mine led to his mysterious disappearance in the Superstition Mountains in 1931. Ruth, a 66-year-old man from Washington, D.C., was drawn to the mine after receiving a set of maps allegedly showing its location. Despite warnings about the dangers of the rugged terrain and the mine’s deadly reputation, Ruth ventured into the Superstitions alone in June 1931. When he failed to return, a massive search ensued, involving local authorities, volunteers, and even aircraft. Ruth’s remains were discovered six months later, deep within the Superstitions, with his skull showing signs of a gunshot wound, sparking rumors of foul play.

The search for Adolph Ruth and the circumstances of his death only added to the mystique of the Lost Dutchman Mine, fueling speculation that the mine was cursed or guarded by violent forces. His disappearance and the discovery of his skull intensified public interest in the mine, drawing even more treasure hunters to the perilous mountains. Despite exhaustive investigations, the exact details of Ruth’s fate remain shrouded in mystery, and the Lost Dutchman Mine continues to elude those who seek it, keeping its secrets hidden within the treacherous landscape of the Superstition Mountains.

LOOKOUT STATION ON SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN

One of the last strongholds of the real West, rugged, defiant Superstition mountain, has at last been opened to curious Arizonians and visitors from other states. Through provisions made by a company which has established a lodge at the foot of the mystic peak 45 miles east of Phoenix, the mountain may now be climed to its summit. R. A. Bird, Mesa, and H. C. Johnson, Gilbert, have opened a temporary lodge near the base of the mountain, arranged to make trips from there to the peak.

From the latter point a great area of South-Central Arizona may be seen in panorama, as from an airplane. The Salt River and Gila valleys and the intervening mountains, the cities of the one valley, the ancient Indian landmarks of the other, are clearly visible.

The company lias announced plans to erect a lookout station on the highest peak of the Superstition mountian, and plans by next summer to have a lodge and camping accommodations.

The temporary lodge now is reached by turning off Apache Trail one and one fourth miles north of Goldfield. It is one and a half miles from the high way. The mountain trip will be made over the old Peralta trail, on which Adolph Ruth lost his life in June, 1931. Ruth was the ninth man known to have died in search of the fabled Lost Dutchman mine.

Guides on the trail trips are thoroughly familiar with the legends which have been woven about Superstition mountain, and on the trips will be able to point out the prominent features connected with them, such as the “Indian turned to stone” on the south ridge, the archeological evidence of inhabitation of the mountains, and the famed cactus orchards which appear at several points in the mountains.

The Coolidge Examiner Articles About Disappearance of Adolph Ruth

References

• The Coolidge examiner. [volume] (Coolidge, Ariz.), 11 Nov. 1932. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn94050542/1932-11-11/ed-1/seq-1/>