Lost mine of Pegleg Smith

If I'm ever accused of not taking the kids anywhere, please refer to this blog. The person, character, and myth of Pegleg Smith and his lost goldmine came out of the mid-1800's gold fever that swept the country. His real name was Thomas Long Smith, and he gained a reputation for being "the most superlative liar that ever honored California with his presence."

The origin of the goldmine story came from a trek he took from the Colorado River to Los Angeles along the Anza Trail to sell pelts. While crossing what is known today as the Anza-Borrego desert, he stumbled upon several small stones that turned out to be almost pure gold. But Smith didn't return to the location for many years until well after rumors grew and groups paid him to take them to the exact spot. He died in 1866 at the age of 65, unable to find the "three buttes" where the gold was found.

In 1947 a sign was erected that reads, "Let him who seeks Pegleg Smith's gold add 10 rocks to this monument." Later, a mailbox and guestbook was added.

So I declared to the kids that if they are also looking for Pegleg Smith's lost goldmine to add 10 stones, which they did. The chances either of them finding Pegleg's lost goldmine is slim to none as it probably never existed in the first place.

Smith was many things, trapper, trader, Indian fighter, and mountain man. He even operated a outpost in Utah, selling goods to immigrants. But his greatest achievement was as a horsethief and they considered him one of the best.