Did you know Iowa has a history of hidden treasures? From old outlaw stashes to forgotten gold, our state is filled with legends about fortunes waiting to be uncovered.
Digging into these mysteries is downright fun. Imagine finding a hidden box of coins or an old chest packed with history. Even if you don’t strike it rich, searching for treasure is a great way to explore Iowa’s beautiful landscapes and learn about the state’s past.
Many folks tell tales millions of dollars’ worth of lost loot are scattered across the state. So, maybe it’s time for you to grab a metal detector and see what treasures Iowa holds!
The Incredible Treasures Of Iowa That Are Waiting To Be Discovered
These treasures are among the most extraordinary mysteries still unsolved:
The Jesse James Gang Treasure – $4,000,000+
In 1871, the infamous Jesse James and his gang executed a daring robbery of the Ocobock Brothers Bank in Corydon, Iowa, making off with thousands in gold coins and currency.
While fleeing from pursuing lawmen, the gang was forced to split up and travel through southern Iowa’s rugged terrain.
Multiple eyewitnesses and historical records confirm that the gang buried portions of their loot along the Fox River valley to travel lighter and avoid detection.
The gang’s usual practice was to bury their stolen goods in iron pots or wooden boxes, marking locations with notched trees or specific landscape features.
How much the treasure would be worth today
Experts estimate it would be worth around $4 million.
The Lost Train Car of Dubuque – $3,000,000+
On a foggy morning in 1882, a well-documented train derailment occurred along the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway near Dubuque. The train was carrying a special shipment of newly minted silver dollars from the San Francisco Mint bound for Chicago’s federal reserve.
During the accident, several strongboxes tumbled into the steep ravines along the Mississippi River bluffs. While railway workers recovered most of the cargo, official reports from the time indicate that at least two strongboxes containing thousands of silver dollars were never found, despite an extensive search effort.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The missing silver dollars would be worth approximately $3 million.
John Brown’s Underground Railroad Gold – $3,000,000+
During the time of the Civil War, John Brown, the famous abolitionist, was deeply involved in helping enslaved people escape to freedom through the Underground Railroad.
According to local legends, Brown hid a stash of gold in Iowa to help fund his abolitionist activities. The treasure contained gold coins and other valuables that Brown collected during his journey.
Brown’s connection to the Underground Railroad is well-known, but the gold’s existence is shrouded in mystery. He supposedly hid the treasure somewhere in Iowa before moving to Kansas to continue his fight against slavery.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If John Brown’s Underground Railroad gold was recovered, it would be worth around $3 million.
The Gold Coins Near Council Bluffs – $4,000,000+
In the mid-1800s, a pioneer traveling through Council Bluffs, Iowa, is said to have buried gold coins for safekeeping. The man reportedly feared being robbed during his journey westward. Unfortunately, he passed away before revealing the exact location of the treasure.
The hidden treasure consists of gold coins that were commonly used during that time. Local stories suggest the gold is hidden somewhere near Council Bluffs, possibly along a trail used by settlers heading west.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If the gold coins were discovered, their value would be approximately $4 million.
The Dubuque Gold Mine Treasure – $5,000,000+
The Dubuque Gold Mine Treasure is a legendary tale dating back to the mid-1800s when Dubuque was a booming mining town. According to the story, a group of miners struck gold but decided to keep their find a secret to avoid sharing their discovery.
The findings consist of raw gold nuggets and small gold bars. It is said to be buried near an abandoned mine shaft or along the Mississippi River where the miners worked.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The Dubuque Gold Mine Treasure could be worth around $5 million.
Kelly’s Bluff Treasure – $2,500,000+
In the mid-1800s, Patrick Kelly, a successful merchant in Dubuque’s bustling lead mining community, amassed a considerable fortune in gold and silver coins. As tensions grew during the economic panic of 1857, Kelly became increasingly paranoid about the safety of his wealth.
Local records and contemporary accounts indicate that Kelly spent several nights moving his fortune to various locations in the steep bluffs overlooking Dubuque.
He used the natural limestone caves and crevices in the area as hiding spots, marking their locations in a personal journal that was later found among his possessions.
How much the treasure would be worth today
Kelly’s hidden fortune would be worth approximately $2.5 million.
Thomas Nelson’s Lost Gold – $1,500,000+
In 1884, Thomas Nelson, a Civil War veteran turned rancher, arrived at Wheeler Ranch in Cerro Gordo County with a substantial fortune from his military pension and successful investments. Nelson, who had witnessed numerous robberies during his time in the army, became increasingly concerned about the security of his wealth.
Historical records, including Nelson’s own letters and local newspaper accounts, document how he dug a three-foot-deep hole along the Winnebago River near Horseshoe Bend. In a tragic turn of events, Nelson’s failing memory prevented him from relocating the exact spot where he had buried his life savings.
How much the treasure would be worth today
Thomas Nelson’s buried gold would be valued at approximately $1.5 million.
The Confederate Gold Train near Davenport – $10,000,000+
At the end of the Civil War, a Confederate gold train was said to be carrying a massive load of gold coins and other valuables. The train was fleeing Union forces and was on its way to a secret location when it was ambushed.
Some reports suggest that the train’s crew managed to bury the gold somewhere near Davenport, Iowa, before they were captured or killed. After the train was ambushed, the gold was reportedly buried in a remote area to keep it out of enemy hands.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If the Confederate Gold Train treasure were found, it would be worth $10 million.
The Lost Treasure of Bloody Run Creek – $2,000,000+
The Lost Treasure of Bloody Run Creek is a legend tied to a violent battle during the 1800s. A group of Native American warriors ambushed a small group of settlers near the creek, killing many and stealing their valuables.
In the chaos, the warriors buried a stash of gold coins, jewelry, and other treasures before fleeing the area. Reports indicate that the treasure was hidden near Bloody Run Creek, where the battle occurred.
How much the treasure would be worth today
Experts estimate the Lost Treasure of Bloody Run Creek could be worth around $2 million.
The Nishnabotna Merchant’s Gold – $2,000,000+
During the economic turbulence of the 1870s, a wealthy merchant from Shenandoah took extraordinary measures to protect his fortune. Contemporary accounts and local records describe how he converted his entire wealth into gold coins and sought a secure hiding place along the Nishnabotna River.
The merchant chose a location approximately one mile north of Shenandoah, using the river’s natural landmarks as reference points. The original value of $75,000 in gold coins was documented in several local sources, including bank records and personal correspondence from the period.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The merchant’s gold cache would be worth around $2 million.
The Lost Leadville Mine Treasure – $3 ,000,000+
Stories say that in the mid-1800s, a prospector named John Leadville discovered a rich vein of gold and silver while traveling through Iowa. After mining a fortune, Leadville reportedly buried his treasure to protect it from thieves and outlaws.
However, before he could return to retrieve the hidden fortune, he mysteriously disappeared, leaving the treasure unclaimed. If the treasure is found, you could be looking at gold nuggets, silver, and possibly some precious artifacts that Leadville had mined.
How much the treasure would be worth today
It is estimated that the Lost Leadville Mine Treasure could be worth around $3 million.
The Bonnie and Clyde Loot in Stuart – $2,000,000+
In the early 1930s, infamous outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were on the run after a string of bank robberies across the Midwest.
After a robbery in Stuart, Iowa, they are said to have hidden a portion of their stolen loot before fleeing the area. The loot is thought to include cash, jewels, and possibly firearms they had stolen during their crime spree.
The exact location of the loot is uncertain, but many believe it was buried somewhere near the town of Stuart. Some local legends suggest they hid it in a nearby forest, while others claim the treasure is buried under a farm or within the rolling hills around the town.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If the Bonnie and Clyde loot were discovered, it could be worth $2 million.
The Iowa River Pioneer Cache – $1,000,000+
The Iowa River Pioneer Cache is a hidden treasure left by early settlers in the 1800s. Pioneers traveling west along the Iowa River are thought to have buried valuable items to protect them from thieves and unforeseen dangers.
Historians speculate that the items were buried sometime around the 1830s to 1850s as settlers sought to protect their wealth from bandits and Native American groups.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The gold and jewelry hidden by the pioneers would likely be worth around $500,000 to $1 million.
The Clinton Lumberman’s Fortune – $3,000,000+
During the lumber boom of the 1850s, one of Clinton’s most successful lumber barons decided to protect his wealth from economic instability. According to documented accounts from the period, he converted a significant portion of his assets into gold coins and negotiable securities.
The lumberman chose to hide his fortune in a heavy iron cooking pot, burying it along the Mississippi River in what would later become Riverfront Park. While some speculate the river’s changing course may have scattered the treasure, historical records confirm the substantial value of the hidden cache.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The lumberman’s complete fortune would be worth approximately $3 million today.
