Texas is a land of legends, where wide-open plains and rugged hills hold secrets from the past. Beneath the Lone Star State’s sweeping landscapes lie stories of lost fortunes, hidden by outlaws, pirates, and adventurers.
There are dozens of lost fortunes hidden across Texas, many valued in the millions or tens of millions of dollars today! From buried gold coins to stolen loot, these treasures remain undiscovered, waiting for someone brave enough to uncover their mysteries.
Imagine stumbling across a chest of gold coins hidden by a notorious outlaw or unearthing silver bars buried centuries ago by Spanish explorers. These treasures aren’t just myths—they are pieces of Texas history that could be uncovered at any moment.
Whether you’re a treasure hunter or simply intrigued by the past, the stories of Texas’s lost treasures will spark your imagination and make you wonder what might still lie beneath the surface.
Who knows, you might be the one to find one!
The Incredible Treasures Of Texas That Are Waiting To Be Discovered
These are some of the most valuable and interesting treasures that have yet to be found:
Jean Lafitte’s Pirate Treasure – $10,000,000+
Jean Lafitte was a pirate and privateer in the early 1800s who operated along the Gulf of Mexico. He was known for his cunning and his ability to amass enormous wealth through smuggling and piracy.
The treasure is believed to have been hidden by Lafitte to keep it safe from authorities and rival pirates. It is said to consist of gold coins, silver bars, precious jewels, and other valuable items.
These riches were likely plundered from ships or earned through illegal trading. Lafitte’s fortune was rumored to be so vast that he could not carry it all, leading him to hide a significant portion of it.
Many believe Lafitte hid his treasure on Galveston Island or along the Texas Gulf Coast. Lafitte used Galveston as his base of operations before being forced to flee in 1821.
The treasure was likely hidden around 1821 when Lafitte abandoned Galveston Island. After leaving the area, he disappeared from history, leaving the treasure’s location a mystery. Treasure hunters continue to search for it to this day.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If Jean Lafitte’s treasure were discovered today, it could be worth over $10 million. The gold and silver alone would have significant value based on current metal prices.
Sam Bass’s Hidden Gold – $10,000,000+
Sam Bass was a famous outlaw in the 1870s who made a fortune robbing stagecoaches and trains. In 1878, he and his gang robbed a Union Pacific train near Big Springs, Nebraska, stealing $60,000 in gold coins.
Fearing capture, Bass is believed to have buried the loot near Round Rock, Texas, where he later died in a shootout with law enforcement.
The treasure consists of gold coins, which were highly valuable at the time. These coins were likely Double Eagles, each worth $20 in gold. The gold remains hidden, and many believe Bass buried it in haste while fleeing the authorities.
The location of the buried treasure is thought to be somewhere near Round Rock in Williamson County. Some stories suggest it is hidden along Brushy Creek or near one of the caves Bass used as hideouts. Despite numerous searches, no one has found the gold.
The robbery and burial of the gold took place in 1878. Bass was shot and killed by the Texas Rangers shortly afterward. With Bass dead and his gang scattered, the location of the treasure became a mystery.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The $60,000 in gold coins from 1878 would be worth much more now. With gold prices averaging around $2,000 per ounce, the gold content alone would be worth about $6 million.
The coins’ historical value as artifacts could make the treasure worth $10 million or more to collectors.
The Lost Silver Mine of San Saba – $20,000,000+
In the 1700s, Spanish explorers and missionaries claimed to have found a rich silver deposit near the San Saba River. Native Americans later forced the Spanish to abandon the area, and the exact location of the mine was lost over time.
The treasure is believed to be a hidden vein of silver ore, which the Spanish intended to mine and transport back to Mexico. Some accounts suggest the mine contained enough silver to make the region extremely wealthy.
he mine is thought to be hidden in the area surrounding Menard County, near the San Saba River. Reports of silver discoveries in this region during the 18th century fueled the legend.
Despite many attempts to locate it, the mine remains undiscovered.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If the Lost Silver Mine of San Saba were discovered, it could be worth an estimated $20 million or more. This estimate is based on the potential size of the silver deposit and the current market value of silver.
The Treasure of Padre Island – $50,000,000+
In the 1500s and 1600s, Spanish galleons carrying gold, silver, and jewels sailed along the Texas Gulf Coast. Many of these ships sank during hurricanes, including several near Padre Island.
The Spanish attempted to recover the treasure but were unable to retrieve all of it.
The treasure is believed to include gold bars, silver coins, and valuable jewels. These items were part of the Spanish Empire’s wealth, collected from the Americas and shipped to Spain.
Over the centuries, pieces of the treasure have washed ashore, but much of it remains lost beneath the sands or in shallow waters.
It is thought to be hidden along the coastline of Padre Island, particularly in areas where shipwrecks have been discovered. Storms and shifting sands may have buried or scattered the treasure further.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If the Treasure of Padre Island were recovered today, it would be worth an estimated $10 million to $50 million. The gold and silver would have immense value based on their weight and current market prices.
The Lost Bowie Mine – $5,000,000+
Jim Bowie, known for his role in the Texas Revolution, is said to have discovered a rich silver mine in the early 1800s. Bowie and his men reportedly worked the mine, collecting silver, but its location was kept secret due to the risks of raids and theft.
The treasure believed to be hidden consists of a large vein of silver ore. Some stories suggest that Bowie smelted the silver into bars and buried them near the mine. This treasure, if found, could include both the silver vein and the buried silver bars.
The Lost Bowie Mine is thought to be located somewhere in West Texas, possibly near the Llano Uplift or Menard County. Bowie supposedly hid the mine’s location when he joined the fight for Texas independence.
Bowie’s death at the Battle of the Alamo in 1836 took the secret of its location with him.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If the Lost Bowie Mine were rediscovered today, its value could be immense. A rich silver vein could produce millions of dollars in silver ore. If the story of buried silver bars is true, they alone could be worth over $1 million.
The Lost Gold of the Guadalupe Mountains – $10,000,000+
It is believed that a group of Spanish explorers or priests hid a large cache of gold in the Guadalupe Mountains during the 1700s. They were transporting the gold through the region when they came under threat from Native American tribes and decided to bury the treasure to keep it safe.
The treasure is thought to consist of gold bars and coins, possibly mined in Mexico and transported north. Some accounts suggest there may also be religious artifacts or other valuables included in the cache.
The gold was hidden quickly to avoid capture, and the exact location was never recovered.
The Guadalupe Mountains, located in West Texas near the New Mexico border, are believed to be the hiding place. The explorers or priests who buried it were likely killed or forced to abandon the region, leaving no detailed record of the hiding place.
How much the treasure would be worth today
Assuming the cache includes several hundred gold bars and coins, it could be worth over $10 million at current gold prices.
Maximilian’s Lost Gold – $5,000,000+
During his short reign in the 1860s, Emperor Maximilian of Mexico was overthrown by Benito Juárez’s forces. Facing defeat, Maximilian’s loyalists reportedly hid a large cache of gold to keep it from falling into enemy hands.
The gold was said to be transported across the Rio Grande into Texas, where it was hidden.
The treasure is believed to include gold coins, bullion, and other valuables collected during Maximilian’s rule. Some accounts suggest the hoard could have included imperial treasures or funds meant to support his military efforts.
Loyalists who fled with the gold were said to have buried it, but they either died or could never return to recover it. Many believe the gold is hidden somewhere in South Texas near the Rio Grande.
Specific locations mentioned include remote areas around Eagle Pass or Laredo.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If Maximilian’s gold were found today, it could be worth an estimated $3 to $5 million or more. The gold’s weight alone would make it extremely valuable at current market prices.
The Lost Treasure of the Alamo – $10,000,000+
During the Texas Revolution in 1836, it is said that a cache of gold and silver was hidden to fund the fight for independence from Mexico. Some believe the treasure was stashed at the Alamo or buried nearby before the historic battle that ended with the fall of the Alamo.
The treasure is thought to include gold coins, silver bars, and valuable artifacts collected from local supporters and missions. These items were hidden to keep them safe from the advancing Mexican army.
After the fall of the Alamo, the location of the treasure was lost, and its existence became a mystery.
The treasure is believed to be hidden somewhere in San Antonio, possibly beneath the grounds of the Alamo or in nearby caves.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If the Lost Treasure of the Alamo were found today, its estimated value could exceed $10 million.
The Devil’s Sinkhole Cache – $1,000,000+
The Devil’s Sinkhole is a large limestone cavern near Rocksprings, Texas, that has sparked stories of hidden loot for decades. According to legend, outlaws who robbed stagecoaches and trains in the late 1800s used the sinkhole as a hiding spot. Fearing capture, they are said to have hidden their stolen gold and silver in the depths of the cavern.
The treasure is believed to consist of gold coins, silver bars, and other valuables stolen during multiple robberies. The outlaws who hid the loot were never able to return for it, either because they were caught or killed.
The harsh terrain and deep, unexplored areas of the sinkhole have kept the treasure hidden.
The location of the treasure is thought to be within the Devil’s Sinkhole itself, a 350-foot-deep cave with a vertical entrance. This natural wonder is known for its bat colonies and dangerous conditions, which make exploring it extremely challenging.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If the Devil’s Sinkhole Cache were recovered today, it could be worth over $1 million. The value of the gold and silver alone, based on current market prices, would likely exceed $500,000.
The Lost Spanish Gold of Palo Duro Canyon – $5,000,000+
In the early 1800s Spanish soldiers were transporting gold through the Palo Duro Canyon area. They were reportedly ambushed by Native Americans, forcing them to hide the gold to prevent it from being stolen.
The hidden treasure is said to be a significant cache of gold bars. The soldiers are believed to have buried the gold in the canyon before fleeing for their lives.
The exact location was never revealed, and the gold was never recovered.
The treasure is thought to be hidden somewhere within Palo Duro Canyon, near present-day Amarillo, Texas. This area is known for its rugged terrain and dramatic cliffs, making it a challenging place to search.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If the Lost Spanish Gold of Palo Duro Canyon were found today, it would be worth millions of dollars. Based on the estimated size of the cache, experts believe it could contain hundreds of pounds of gold.
At current market prices, the gold itself could be worth over $5 million.
The Mission Espada Treasure – $20,000,000+
Mission Espada, located in San Antonio, was one of the missions established in the 1700s to convert Native Americans to Christianity. During times of conflict, Spanish missionaries are said to have buried a collection of gold, silver, and other valuable items to protect them from raiders and invading forces.
The hidden treasure is believed to include gold coins, silver bars, and religious artifacts such as crosses and chalices. These items were both valuable and sacred, making them worth protecting at any cost.
The treasure is thought to be buried somewhere near Mission Espada or in the surrounding area along the San Antonio River. The treasure was likely hidden in the mid to late 1700s during periods of unrest.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If the Mission Espada Treasure were recovered today the gold and silver alone could be worth $5 to $10 million based on weight and current market prices. The historical and religious significance of the artifacts could add millions more, with collectors and museums potentially paying up to $20 million for the entire treasure.
The Lost Gold of the Brazos River – $10,000,000+
Spanish explorers traveling along the Brazos River in the 1700s were carrying a large cache of gold. They reportedly buried the gold near the river to protect it from Native American attacks and planned to return for it later. However, they never retrieved it, and the location of the treasure was lost to history.
The hidden treasure is believed to include gold coins, bars, and possibly other valuable artifacts. These items were likely intended for transportation to Spanish territories but became a hidden fortune.
The Brazos River, which flows through central Texas, is thought to hold the buried gold along its banks or in its nearby caves. The exact spot remains unknown, but some speculate it could be in an area with steep cliffs or dense vegetation.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The gold itself, adjusted for its historical weight, could be worth over $5 million based on current gold prices. Adding the historical significance and collector interest, the total value could easily exceed $10 million.
The Ghost Town of Indianola – $5,000,000+
Indianola was once a thriving port town in the 1800s, serving as a gateway for goods and immigrants. Hurricanes in 1875 and 1886 devastated the town, causing residents to flee and leaving behind stories of hidden treasure.
The treasure is believed to include gold coins, silverware, and other valuables buried by residents trying to protect their wealth from storms and looters. Some say merchants also hid gold meant for trade. These items were left behind as the town was abandoned and swallowed by the sands.
It is thought that the treasure remains buried in the ruins of Indianola, now part of a ghost town near Port Lavaca, Texas. Sand dunes and shifting tides have likely hidden any remaining valuables.
How much the treasure would be worth today
Experts estimate the total value of the hidden treasure could exceed $5 million, depending on the amount of gold and silver recovered and its historical significance.
The Comanche Gold – $10,000,000+
The Comanches were known to raid settlements and trade routes, often taking gold and silver as plunder. According to legend, they buried a large amount of this treasure in Texas to keep it safe from enemies and settlers.
The treasure is believed to consist of gold coins, silver bars, and other valuables taken during raids. These items were reportedly buried in a remote location to ensure they would not be found. Stories suggest it may also include ornaments or jewelry made from precious metals.
The exact location of the treasure is unknown but is thought to be in the Llano region of Texas. Some believe it is hidden in caves or buried near landmarks like streams or hills.
The treasure is believed to have been hidden in the mid-1800s. During this time, the Comanches were facing increasing pressure from settlers and soldiers. To protect their spoils, they likely buried the hoard somewhere they believed it would remain safe.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If the Comanche Gold were found today, it could be worth an estimated $10 million or more.
The Fort Davis Payroll Robbery – $1,000,000+
In the late 1800s, a payroll wagon carrying gold meant for soldiers stationed at Fort Davis was ambushed by outlaws. The bandits stole the gold but faced heavy pursuit by law enforcement and Native Americans in the area.
The treasure is believed to consist of gold coins and bullion valued at several thousand dollars at the time. The outlaws, fearing capture, are thought to have buried the loot somewhere in the rugged mountains near Fort Davis. None of the stolen gold was ever recovered.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The original value of the stolen gold was estimated to be around $10,000 in the 1870s. At today’s gold prices, the melt value alone would be worth approximately $500,000. If the coins or bullion have historical significance, the treasure could fetch over $1,000,000 on the collectors’ market.
The Hidden Treasure of Buffalo Hump – $5,000,000+
Buffalo Hump was a well-known Comanche chief who led his people during the mid-1800s. He is believed to have hidden gold and silver looted during raids on settlers. The treasure was supposedly buried to keep it safe from enemies and advancing settlers during times of conflict.
The hidden treasure is thought to include gold coins, silver bars, and other valuables taken during raids. Some legends say it also includes jewelry and other precious items.
The treasure is believed to be hidden somewhere in the hills of West Texas. Many suspect it lies in the area around the Llano River or in the rugged terrain of the Texas Hill Country.
The treasure was likely hidden during the 1840s when Buffalo Hump was actively leading his people in raids and battles.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If the Hidden Treasure of Buffalo Hump were found today, it could be worth at least $3 to $5 million. The gold and silver alone would fetch a high price based on their weight and historical value.
The Goliad Massacre Loot – $5,000,000+
During the Texas Revolution in 1836, Texan forces at Goliad were overwhelmed by Mexican troops under General Santa Anna. Before the massacre of hundreds of Texan prisoners, it is said that valuables, including gold, silver, and other treasures, were hidden to keep them out of enemy hands.
The hidden loot is believed to consist of gold coins, silver bullion, and personal valuables like jewelry that belonged to Texan soldiers and local settlers. These treasures were reportedly hidden by the Texian defenders or sympathetic locals who hoped to recover them after the conflict.
However, the massacre and chaos of war meant the location was lost.
The treasure is thought to be hidden somewhere near Goliad, Texas. Some legends suggest it was buried near the Presidio La Bahía or along the San Antonio River.
How much the treasure would be worth today
The Goliad Massacre Loot is estimated to be worth several million dollars today. The gold and silver alone could be valued at $2 to $5 million based on their weight and historical significance.
The Karankawa Indian Treasure – $10,000,000+
The Karankawa, a Native American tribe known for their coastal lifestyle, are said to have buried gold, silver, and valuable artifacts to protect them from Spanish explorers. This treasure is tied to stories of resistance, where the Karankawa sought to safeguard their resources from being looted.
The hidden treasure is thought to include gold coins, silver jewelry, and ceremonial artifacts. These items would have held great cultural and material value to the Karankawa people.
The treasure is believed to be buried along the Gulf Coast, near areas the Karankawa once inhabited, such as Matagorda Bay or the shores of Galveston. Some accounts suggest it is hidden in a cave or buried near an ancient settlement.
This treasure is thought to have been hidden in the 1700s, during a time of increasing conflict with European settlers and explorers. The exact timing remains uncertain, as it is part of oral traditions passed down over generations.
How much the treasure would be worth today
If the Karankawa Indian Treasure were found today, it could be worth an estimated $5 to $10 million.
