Tillamook Gold Mine Update – A Waterfall, Golden Grouse, And Further Credibility
Tillamook Gold Mine Update – A Waterfall, Golden Grouse, And Further Credibility
The legend goes that Indians in the Oregon Coast Range had access to quality gold that they traded with early Oregon trappers and settlers, especially in Gales Creek and Forest Grove. When the mine brought pain to the tribe, the Indians covered it up forever and vowed never to speak of it.
In todays video I explore some old newspaper articles that show the existence of gold in the hills and knowledge of coast range Indians acquiring and using it.
This video was meant to be a “quick update” but it ended up being a lot longer. There are a lot more things you can investigate when it comes to this story.
This video is in no way meant to be factual or a thorough exploration of the story. I don’t endorse trespassing on private property. If you do find the Gold with my tips, all I ask is 10%. Thanks for watching 🙂
I live by Gales Creek between Forest Grove and Banks. These stories are so cool. Most don’t know about the native people that lived here. My son said he found a really cool quarts vein when creek walking Elk Creek. I have always had the feeling there is gold around there. And just because they were gone for three days does not mean that they were traveling the whole time. It could be closer to Gales Creek and even tho they are seen going west does not mean they were not taking a turn east at some point.
Lets get together and go look.
lets get some more videos man I like you
I wasn’t able to find a way to message you but I would love to know what you can dig up on Jewell OR.
I’ve got a question I lived up mill creek practically grew up back there I was riding around Gold peak Edward butte I was told there were mines on gold peak seen alot I mean a lot of quarts on the top or near the top Edward’s looking strait down on skuccum lk Smith cr I heard has coler that flows into the Wilson I’ve got alot of info about this there’s also a place either on the east frk of Trask that u can only get to by diving then it opens up to a cave where u can see Indian Art? Possible burials? There’s a couple of lakes I know on the coast range rd that are empty .
Fascinating.
So crazy I took my dog up there yesterday to try panning for gold literally just getting into it. Still learning I did find some rough small green semi precious stones 🙂
This is awesome. I just live in Yamhill, Right on the other side of the mountain from Tillamook. I have been researching this a bit and remember your last video. Thanks for going further into it and sharing the info, Gales creek is really close to me. Been planning the yamhill river a bit. Not found anything but seems like it’s gotta be there.
The North Fork Wilson River that flows into and out of Blue Lake appears to have dried up, which may make exploring it quite different. Check recent Google Earth on mobile.
Are you from tilly?
You can walk on stensen logging just can’t take or do much
Gales creek sounds very familiar as far as doctors place.
Hey I’m a local in tillamook Oregon I have some really good an reliable information from older people around tillamook that could help pieces this together
Ive been researching this for 4 years. Im pretty sure skookum lake is a good lead. But they have it completely closed off to the public unless its hunting season and your a minor.
When I looked at this legend,, part of the story was that Indians trading in Forest Grove would leave and come back in two days with more gold to trade… if that is a true story then the deposit may very well be less than one day walk from Forest Grove.. On that assumption it may very well make the target area to find the gold smaller..
Really cool vid, thank you for sharing!
As for posting online we all share interests and info, I’m tickled pink seeing someone else researching area. All of Oregon is fascinating. I highly recomended oregon roadside geology book get the latest as there updated info and latest color geo maps
If you go to The gales Creek tavern and go down under the bridge and start moving northward testing pans there’s gold in there I’ve never found big nuggets but there’s definitely gold coming from somewhere upstream the closer you are to wear Jones Creek goes into gales Creek there’s a higher percentage I always wanted to take a week off and hike up the creek and just keep testing
I have a copy sent to me by a friend of the Daily Astorian in which a very rich silver strike was found off Grays river in Wahkiakum county.. It was said it was richer that that of Silver city. At the time a depression was going on so the miners that discovered the strike couldn’t obtain financing. There is gold in Wahkiakum county and Pacifiv county too. I’ve been a prospector most of my life and have traced these things down usually to find some timber company owns the property.
Good leads there near blue lake. Many creeks and springs are seasonal. And many maps do not have the resolution to identify them, but you know their there. The USG maps are the most detailed but, even they do not show everything. It’s assumed by everyone that every square inch has been gone over not the case at all. Many areas are on the map so to speak but not explored. This includes springs and hot springs,caves etc. A very important note since about 92′ forest maps dropped info like cabins, caves, roads, landmarks, mines, etc. You must locate pre 1992 forest maps to get that info. I’ve been collecting forest maps for western US. for years. Look on ebay you can even locate old forest ranger maps but they’ll cost ya.
John Jacob Aster found and packed off the shipwreck treasure long ago.
Would like to know more about this if you’re saying that there a water fall just west of Gale’s creek send me the name of it and I will Google it and see what I can find
Your too quiet in your videos. Can you speak louder.
Regarding finding John M. Walls property. One of your articles was dated 1913, so there may be a recorded deed or title with a legal description you can map. I found this on a State of Oregon Historical Society index of existing Washington County records-in Hilsboro: Records at the Washington County Historical Records Vault Land Registration Docket, vol. 1, 1907-1915 (1 volume).
the lost gold makes exploring the area fun, other than that the only bonus to the area is that the geology is so compicated and mixed up from the ocean terranes and sediment deposits that it could be hiding something. The mineral assays and othe professional data make it uninteresting to any serious exploration but also make it a poor gold area in general. I like the story of skookum and there is an exposed lava dyke north of there, thats where I’ve been snooping. My only other focuses are an ancient river delta and other coastal shallow sea features that I believe came in off the ocean with the terranes. Love the story love the hunt, you have done much more research on this and ill be looking at your maps and lake guide from last video when I make it out to nehalem this summer, good hunting
There’s an old gold claim that was worked over a hundred years ago at quartz creek just before Elderberry on hwy. 26. check it out.
I’m always looking for local history/mystery it’s so hard to find! Great story.
Much of the area is state forest and private logging land and personal property. But hiking exploring some areas even panning some rivers a little would be interesting. As for other people what does that have to do with me or him? Look out how many people camp and dump their garbage everywhere. Do you blame everyone? You must work for the guberment. I’m 60 yrs old have always hiked alone and leave no trace. When I camp no one knows I’m there. I had one guy pull up 20 feet away get out of his truck and start target shooting. I watched him as I leaned back on the front of my truck behind blind. After 20 min or so I busted up laughing and he was looking all around for source. I chatted up with him for 30 min or so he was looking for coyoties. I had been working union carpenter at papermill and biodiesel plant and camped out the first month. Only person I saw whole time.
I’m sure there are a couple gold mines to be found, but I sure wouldn’t talk about it !!
I’ve been doing research on the lost mine for several years now. Blue lake would be a good guess if the geology was a better fit. But myself question to you is why would you post anything you found on you tube. The only thing that’s gonna happen is you’ll have hundreds of people clamoring all over the area who disrespect it, tear things up and leave their garbage all over the forest. Why do you think the state made it unlawful to look/dig for gold on Neahkahnie mountain. People were trashing it, getting themselves lost and hurt…all for"gold fever". Not to mention of the private lands people will ignorantly trespass on, not giving one wit about the property owners.
If that mine is the far up the Wilson, there should be placer gold found in the bedrock. Has anyone tested the Wilson for placer?
Rough country up there at blue lake use to be a railroad grade. Have logged 5 jobs around the lake and have always wanted to venture more up there
Your audio volume is the utter shits, sorry! And you have a good looking mic?
LIDAR is amazing to find old lost adits 🙂
Wondering if there could have been a beaver damn up one of these canyons or rivens.That got washed out so no longer there. That may be why no one can find it .Just a thought .
This might sound extremely corny I love Maps I love playing with maps old Maps new maps water landmines everything to do with both of these videos it’s kind of cool to hear somebody that’s as interested and as knowledgeable I’m from Arch Cape I’ve lived here you’re my whole life I’ve been quite a bit of research about Old claims in the area and surrounding areas I’d really love to pick your brain and allow you to pick mine it actually took me almost two and a half hours to get through both of these videos cuz I had to take notes on a little bit of the nerd I love your videos are very interesting