kenb
Bronze Member
The lure of gold is as alive as the lore in the tiny town of Stanton, Ariz. - a town rich in history and gold.
Last week, novices and professional prospectors alike from across the United States converged on the community owned by The Lost Dutchman’s Mining Association (LDMA) to attend the annual “Outing.”
The Stanton Outing, from Friday, Dec. 28 through Sunday, Dec. 30, gives beginners the opportunity to learn all about gold prospecting while going into the hills and streams to find the precious metal.
“All they need is a shovel,” said Stanton winter resident B.J. Sturm, “and they might not even need that!”
The LDMA chooses the area for the outing and provided all tools necessary, except manpower. After three days of hard work, all the gold collected is divided between participants.
“Sometimes there’s a little, and sometimes there’s a lot,” said a winter resident.
Stanton was a thriving gold mining town in the late 1800s, until the founder Charles Stanton was murdered by the Lucero brothers for reportedly having his way with their sister.
Soon afterwards the town died, going through various owners until the LDMA purchased the town in 1978 along with 65 acres of deeded, patented land surrounding the town.
After being thoughtfully restored by the LDMA and volunteers, the town was turned into a winter RV community for LDMA members who stay through the winter months and work on their gold claims.
“Coming back each year is like returning to my family,” said Sturm. “There is always somebody stopping by.”
kenb
Last week, novices and professional prospectors alike from across the United States converged on the community owned by The Lost Dutchman’s Mining Association (LDMA) to attend the annual “Outing.”
The Stanton Outing, from Friday, Dec. 28 through Sunday, Dec. 30, gives beginners the opportunity to learn all about gold prospecting while going into the hills and streams to find the precious metal.
“All they need is a shovel,” said Stanton winter resident B.J. Sturm, “and they might not even need that!”
The LDMA chooses the area for the outing and provided all tools necessary, except manpower. After three days of hard work, all the gold collected is divided between participants.
“Sometimes there’s a little, and sometimes there’s a lot,” said a winter resident.
Stanton was a thriving gold mining town in the late 1800s, until the founder Charles Stanton was murdered by the Lucero brothers for reportedly having his way with their sister.
Soon afterwards the town died, going through various owners until the LDMA purchased the town in 1978 along with 65 acres of deeded, patented land surrounding the town.
After being thoughtfully restored by the LDMA and volunteers, the town was turned into a winter RV community for LDMA members who stay through the winter months and work on their gold claims.
“Coming back each year is like returning to my family,” said Sturm. “There is always somebody stopping by.”
kenb
