Treasures of the Santa Catalina Mountains: Unraveling the Legends and History of the Santa Catalina Mountains

The treasures of the Santa Catalina Mountains, north of Tucson, includes the famous legend of the Iron Door Mine, a forgotten mission and a lost city somewhere in the Catalinas. The legends have lured prospectors and treasure hunters for hundreds of years. The discoveries of early Spanish placer mining sites, stone ruins and stories of the mountains, only fueled speculation about the riches still left behind. Common knowledge among the locals eventually gained legendary status. Even more surprising was the abundance in gold, silver and copper etched into the mountains. These stories became embedded into Arizona’s early history, spun into some sensational legends and spanned several literary and film adventures.