Yankee Jim's Hidden Gold
In 1849, a notorious horse thief named James 'Yankee Jim' Robinson accidentally discovered a highly lucrative placer gold deposit in Placer County while hiding from law enforcement. To conceal his massive find, Jim constructed a horse corral directly on top of his diggings, but.
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- Target Name: Yankee Jim's Hidden Gold
- Registry Category: buried cache
- Geographic Location: Placer County, situated on a ridge between the North and Middle forks of the American River, near the ghost town of Yankee Jims. (Coordinates:
39.02940, -120.86170) - Land Status: Auburn State Recreation Area / Bureau of Land Management (Restricted) (Classified as Protected / Restricted)
- Primary Historic Source: Calexplornia - Yankee Jim Robinson: The Outlaw Behind a Gold Rush Town
- Search & Usefulness Rating: Score 35/100 (Field Readiness: Archive / View Only)
- Summary Overview: In 1849, a notorious horse thief named James 'Yankee Jim' Robinson accidentally discovered a highly lucrative placer gold deposit in Placer County while hiding from law enforcement. To conceal his.
Historical Overview
In 1849, a notorious horse thief named James 'Yankee Jim' Robinson accidentally discovered a highly lucrative placer gold deposit in Placer County while hiding from law enforcement. To conceal his massive find, Jim constructed a horse corral directly on top of his diggings, but his subsequent displays of large nuggets at nearby mining camps drew intense suspicion. When a mob discovered his horse-stealing operations in 1852, Jim narrowly escaped hanging by fleeing to Southern California, leaving behind his amassed gold fortune. He was eventually captured and executed in San Diego, and his legendary hidden hoard has never been recovered from the ridge.
Field Search & Recovery Tips
The townsite of Yankee Jims is designated as California Historical Landmark No. 398 and is surrounded by a mixture of private properties and lands managed under the Auburn State Recreation Area. Seekers must obtain permission to cross private parcels and strictly adhere to California State Parks regulations regarding metal detecting and mineral collection.
Field Action Checklist
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Auburn State Recreation Area / Bureau of Land Management (Restricted)
Legal & Permit Review
Recommended Outfitting
Calexplornia - Yankee Jim Robinson: The Outlaw Behind a Gold Rush Town
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