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| Landmark #750 | San Diego County | Visited: March 31, 2013 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | A plaque on the side of the road! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: Thomas L. Smith, better known as “Peg Leg,” 1801-1866, was a mountain man, prospector, and spinner of tall tales. Legends regarding his lost gold mine have grown through the years, and countless people have searched the desert for its fabulous wealth. The mine could be within a few miles of this monument.
OTHER TIDBITS: “Peg Leg” Smith lost his leg to a native arrow and gained a wooden leg from his friend! He was a beaver trapper, so he got what he deserved! Anyway, he was on his way to Los Angeles to sell some beaver skins, when he picked up some black pebbles by a cluster of three buttes and kept walking. By the time he reached Los Angeles, he realized he’d found gold! Unfortunately for this drunk and horse thief, he was never able to find the three buttes where he found the gold in the first place! He led two prospecting trips back into the desert in 1849 and 1853, but there were no triple buttes to be seen. That puts the lost mine of “Peg Leg” Smith on par with the equally elusive Lost Dutchman Mine! Some folks claim to have found the spot where “Peg Leg” picked up his gold, in a place by the Salton Sea called Tule Wash. The gold found here, like the gold in “Peg Leg’s” story, is tarnished black with oxidized copper! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: Henderson Canyon Rd 1,000 ft N of Pegleg Rd Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Borrego Springs, CA 92004 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~158mi (255km) — 2.7hrs |
| When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |