13 Epic Hidden Treasures In Indiana Waiting To Be Discovered

By Keith Jackson - Geologist

| Updated

13 Epic Hidden Treasures In Indiana Waiting To Be Discovered

By Keith Jackson - Geologist

Updated

Indiana has a long history, and some of it might still be hidden underground. Stories about lost treasures have been passed down for generations, and some are said to be worth millions.

Gold coins, buried loot, and forgotten artifacts—just the thought of uncovering one of these is enough to spark excitement.

Imagine standing in a spot where something valuable was buried hundreds of years ago. Who knows? You might be the one to finally find it.

Some of Indiana’s best treasure stories come from the southern part of the state, where outlaws and settlers supposedly hid their riches. Locals have heard the legends, but few have actually gone searching. Maybe the next big discovery is just waiting for someone brave enough to look.

The Incredible Treasures Of Indiana That Are Waiting To Be Discovered

The captivating beauty of these treasures is as enigmatic as their origins:

The Reno Gang’s Stolen Gold – $5,000,000+

The Reno Gang was infamous for robbing trains in the 1800s. After a huge heist in 1868, they supposedly buried a stash of stolen gold near Seymour, Indiana. This loot came from one of their biggest robberies, where they got away with piles of gold coins and cash.

Brothers Frank, John, and Simeon Reno were behind the crime, and many believe they hid the gold along their escape route to avoid getting caught.

How much the treasure would be worth today

If the Reno Gang’s stolen gold were found, it could be worth around $3 to $5 million.

John Dillinger’s Hidden Loot – $7,000,000+

John Dillinger was one of the most feared criminals of the 1930s. He and his gang robbed banks across the Midwest, stealing millions of dollars. Some say he hid a portion of his stolen money somewhere in Indiana to keep it safe from the law.

The most popular theory is that he buried it near Mooresville, Indiana. Dillinger was known for his secret hideouts and clever escapes, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he stashed his cash somewhere only he knew about. He was killed in 1934 before he could retrieve it.

How much the treasure would be worth today

John Dillinger’s hidden loot could be worth anywhere from $3 million to $7 million.

Josiah Hite’s Buried Silver – $23,000

silver coins in a wooden crate buried in the ground

Josiah Hite was a counterfeiter who made fake silver coins in Charlestown, Indiana. He lived on a property where he is believed to have hidden a supply of real silver.

After his arrest, law enforcement searched his land for the hidden stash. He escaped custody and disappeared before revealing anything about the silver.

How much the treasure would be worth today

The estimated value of Josiah Hite’s buried silver could be around $23,000.

The Morgan Raiders Gold – $1,000,000+

During the Civil War, Confederate raiders led by General John Hunt Morgan swept through Indiana, looting banks and stealing gold and silver coins. Some believe they buried a portion of their treasure before fleeing Union forces.

Rumors place the treasure somewhere in southern Indiana near the Ohio River. Despite many searches, no one has ever uncovered it. If the story is true, the gold and silver could still be out there, waiting to be found.

How much the treasure would be worth today

The Morgan Raiders Gold is estimated to be worth around $500,000 to $1 million.

The St. Mary’s Church Silver – $2,000,000+

silver cups, plates, and coins in a wooden chest

During the early 1800s, St. Mary’s Church in Vincennes, Indiana, was home to a large collection of silver items.

It is believed that the church’s valuable silver was hidden away during the War of 1812 to protect it from being stolen or damaged. As British forces advanced toward Vincennes, church officials decided to bury the silver to prevent it from falling into enemy hands.

The treasure was likely hidden by local church leaders or members of the congregation, who wanted to keep the silver safe. It is believed to be buried somewhere near St. Mary’s Church or in the surrounding area of Vincennes.

How much the treasure would be worth today

If the silver from St. Mary’s Church were discovered, it could be worth approximately $1.5 million to $2 million.

The Battle of Tippecanoe War Chest – $6,000,000+

The Battle of Tippecanoe, fought in 1811 near present-day Lafayette, Indiana, was a significant conflict between American forces and Native American tribes. Before the battle, it is believed that Native American leader Tecumseh and his confederation had gathered a war chest of valuables and weapons.

As American forces led by William Henry Harrison approached, the war chest was hidden to protect it from being captured.

It is thought that Tecumseh’s warriors or other members of his confederation buried the chest. The treasure may be hidden near the site of the battle, possibly in the area of Tippecanoe County. This treasure was hidden in the days leading up to the battle in November 1811.

How much the treasure would be worth today

The Battle of Tippecanoe war chest could be valued between $3 million and $6 million.

The Traders’ Lost Chest – $3,000,000+

wooden chest buried in the ground

In the early 1800s, a group of traders—likely French or English—was traveling through Indiana with a chest full of valuable goods, including gold, silver, and furs. Facing danger or possibly a robbery, they decided to bury the chest to keep it safe.

The treasure is believed to be somewhere near the Wabash River, possibly around Terre Haute or Vincennes. While many have searched for it, the chest remains lost to this day.

How much the treasure would be worth today

If the Traders’ Lost Chest were found today, it could be worth around $2 million to $3 million.

The French Lick Resort Gold – $8,000,000+

The French Lick Resort Gold is a treasure tied to the history of the famous French Lick Springs Resort in southern Indiana.

During the Civil War, it is believed that Confederate soldiers, including some with connections to General John Hunt Morgan, hid a significant amount of gold at the resort to keep it safe. The gold was likely taken from southern banks or from Union soldiers.

It is thought that Confederate sympathizers or soldiers buried the gold near the resort, possibly in the hills or caves around the area. The treasure was hidden sometime around 1863, during the height of the Civil War.

How much the treasure would be worth today

The French Lick Resort Gold is valued between $5 million and $8 million.

The Oldenburg Gold Coins – $3,000,000+

The Oldenburg Gold Coins treasure is linked to a German immigrant named Karl Muench. In the mid-1800s, Muench moved to America and became a trader. But during the Civil War, he feared that either Union or Confederate soldiers might steal his money. To protect his wealth, he buried his gold coins in Oldenburg, Indiana.

Muench is believed to have hidden the coins near the town, either on his land or in the nearby woods. The treasure was buried sometime in the early 1860s, but Muench never returned to dig it up. Its exact location has remained a mystery ever since.

How much the treasure would be worth today

If the Oldenburg Gold Coins were found, they could be valued around $1 million to $3 million.

The Brown County Pioneer Gold – $6,000,000+

The Brown County Pioneer Gold is a legendary lost treasure believed to have been hidden by early settlers in Brown County, Indiana. According to local stories, this treasure includes gold coins and valuable artifacts. The pioneers buried their wealth in the early 1800s to protect it from thieves or the government.

The gold is buried somewhere in the wooded hills of Brown County, possibly near the town of Nashville. No one knows the exact location. The settlers who hid it never came back to recover it, and it has remained lost for generations.

How much the treasure would be worth today

If the Brown County Pioneer Gold were found, it could be worth between $3 million and $6 million.

The Cave River Valley Silver Cache – $5,000,000+

wooden chest and sacks in a rock crevice

The Cave River Valley Silver Cache is a lost treasure that some believe is hidden in southern Indiana. In the early 1800s, settlers buried silver and coins to keep them safe during conflicts with Native American tribes.

The treasure is thought to be near a cave or a series of caves in the Cave River Valley. It was likely hidden around the 1820s when there was a lot of tension between settlers and local tribes.

How much the treasure would be worth today

The Cave River Valley Silver Cache would likely be worth $3 million to $5 million.

The Fountain County Stagecoach Treasure – $5,000,000+

golden coins in a rusty metal chest

The Fountain County Stagecoach Treasure is a well-known legend in Indiana. The treasure is believed to have been hidden after a stagecoach robbery in the 1800s.

A group of outlaws, led by a man named Jesse James, allegedly robbed the stagecoach and buried the loot in Fountain County to avoid capture.

It is believed to be hidden somewhere near the small town of Covington, Indiana, though the exact location remains a mystery. The treasure was hidden in the 1860s, shortly after the robbery took place.

How much the treasure would be worth today

The Fountain County Stagecoach Treasure could be worth around $3 million to $5 million.

The Lost Treasure of the Indiana River – $2,000,000+

The Lost Treasure of the Indiana River is a legendary story passed down through generations. The treasure is believed to have been hidden along the river, likely during the late 18th or early 19th century.

The treasure is thought to have been hidden by a group of river pirates or perhaps by a group of French settlers who were attempting to flee to avoid capture. Some stories suggest the treasure was buried near the banks of the Indiana River to keep it safe from authorities or rival groups.

The exact location of the treasure remains a mystery, though it is speculated to be hidden in an area near the Indiana River, possibly near secluded or less accessible spots such as caves, river islands, or dense forests.

How much the treasure would be worth today

It is estimated to be worth at least $1.5 million to $2 million.

About Keith Jackson - Geologist

Keith Jackson is an avid rockhound who is constantly exploring new sites to expand his collection. He is an active Geologist with a wealth of experience and information from across the country that he loves to share with the Rock Chasing crew.

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