In 1863, outlaw Ed Long and his partner pulled off a legendary stagecoach heist, stealing $100,000 in gold from Pocatello and McCammon camps. You’ll find this treasure’s story deeply rooted in Idaho’s City of Rocks National Preserve, where Long buried the stolen fortune among distinctive granite formations. After studying the stagecoach’s patterns for months, they executed their plan but couldn’t transport all the gold, leading to a hasty burial whose location remains one of the West’s greatest mysteries.
Key Takeaways
- Ed Long and partner stole $100,000 in gold from a stagecoach in 1863, burying it in City of Rocks National Preserve.
- The stolen gold remains undiscovered, making it one of the West’s most significant lost treasures, worth millions in today’s value.
- City of Rocks’ distinctive granite formations and pioneer trails offer numerous potential burial sites for the hidden treasure.
- Modern treasure hunters use advanced technology like Ground Penetrating Radar and drones to search for the buried gold.
- Long’s partner died with the secret location, while Long’s 120-mile escape route followed Portneuf Canyon to City of Rocks.
The Daring Stagecoach Heist of 1863
While gold fever swept across the American West in the 1860s, Idaho’s remote stretches became prime targets for ambitious outlaws seeking fortune.
Among them, Ed Long and his partner would execute one of the territory’s most notorious heists, targeting a stagecoach carrying $100,000 in gold from the Pocatello and McCammon camps.
Ed Long’s daring stagecoach heist targeted $100,000 in gold shipments from Idaho’s bustling Pocatello and McCammon mining camps.
You’d be impressed by Long’s outlaw intelligence – he spent months studying stagecoach security and shipment patterns before striking.
When they finally acted, they discovered more gold than they could quickly transport. Rather than risk immediate capture, they retreated to City of Rocks National Preserve, where they buried their massive haul.
Though a posse from Brigham City eventually caught up with them, the treasure’s location remains a mystery, fueling generations of treasure hunters’ dreams.
City of Rocks: A Historical Crossroads
You’ll find the stark granite spires of City of Rocks illuminating a complex history of Native American trade routes, where Shoshone, Paiute, and Bannock tribes hunted buffalo and gathered pine nuts for generations.
When the California Gold Rush erupted in the 1840s, this ancient indigenous crossroads transformed into a critical waypoint for over 200,000 westward-bound emigrants seeking fortune.
Their axle-grease signatures and wagon ruts remain etched in the rocks today, evidence of the site’s pivotal role in America’s westward expansion while serving as a poignant reminder of the displacement of Native peoples who first called this remarkable landscape home.
Native American Trading Routes
Long before modern highways crisscrossed Idaho, the City of Rocks served as an essential hub in an extensive network of Native American trading routes. As you explore these ancient pathways, you’ll discover how they connected diverse tribes like the Coeur d’Alene, Nez Perce, Shoshones, and Bannocks across vast territories.
The introduction of horses transformed these trade networks, enabling tribes to travel farther and faster, particularly to the buffalo-rich Great Plains.
You’ll find that Fort Hall emerged as a significant crossroads where Native American commerce intersected with European fur traders. The distinctive granite formations of City of Rocks didn’t just serve as shelter and navigation markers – they became a natural gathering point where tribes converged for trade, ceremonies, and cultural exchange, shaping the region’s rich trading heritage.
Gold Rush Migration Hub
As emigrants surged westward during the California Gold Rush, City of Rocks emerged as an essential waypoint on the California Trail by 1843.
You’ll find evidence of this massive migration in the inscriptions left by wagon trains across the granite formations that stretch 4 miles wide and 20 miles long through the valley.
The site’s strategic location near Granite Pass made it a significant hub for gold rush migration patterns, with an astounding 52,000 emigrants passing through in 1852 alone.
You’ll appreciate how the area’s natural resources – abundant water sources, grazing lands, and flat terrain – supported countless travelers.
While conflicts with Native Americans led to military escorts in the 1860s, City of Rocks remained a key crossroads for those seeking fortune in California’s goldfields.
Tracking Ed Long’s Final Journey
When you follow Ed Long’s final escape route, you’ll trace his westward path from Portneuf Canyon toward the City of Rocks, where he and his partner strategically chose rugged terrain to evade capture.
Your pursuit of Long’s trail mirrors that of the Brigham City posse, who successfully tracked the outlaws to Birch Creek near the Utah-Idaho border despite challenging conditions and the criminals’ attempts to blend in with other travelers.
As you reconstruct the chase, it becomes clear that Long’s partner’s resistance at the final confrontation sealed both their fates, with Long losing his life and his partner’s capture marking the end of their $100,000 heist.
Escape Route Analysis
Through the rugged terrain of southeastern Idaho, the final journey of stagecoach robber Ed Long traces a desperate 120-mile path from Portneuf Canyon to City of Rocks. The escape route cleverly exploited geographical advantages, utilizing well-traveled emigrant trails while seeking refuge among the area’s distinctive granite formations.
- Massive granite monoliths provided natural cover and landmarks for navigation
- Convergence of California Trail and Salt Lake Alternate route offered opportunities to blend with travelers
- Birch Creek’s positioning near City of Rocks served as a critical waypoint
- Natural barriers slowed pursuit while providing defensive positions
You’ll find Long’s strategic path mirrored the survival instincts of a skilled frontiersman, choosing terrain that balanced speed with security.
His final dash toward City of Rocks revealed both desperation and cunning, ending in a fateful confrontation near Birch Creek.
Posse’s Pursuit Details
The formidable pursuit of Ed Long began swiftly after news of the stagecoach robbery reached Brigham City, Utah in 1863.
The posse organization faced immediate tracking challenges as recent rainfall had washed away most physical traces of the outlaws’ escape.
You’ll find it remarkable how the lawmen adapted, relying on their intimate knowledge of the terrain and subtle environmental clues.
They studied disturbed vegetation, faint soil impressions, and gathered intelligence from local freighters to piece together Long’s route.
Despite the obscured trails, the posse’s determined tracking efforts led them toward the City of Rocks near the Idaho-Utah border.
Their methodical approach, combining traditional tracking skills with strategic area mapping, eventually paid off when they intercepted Long and his partner at Birch Creek, leading to the fatal confrontation.
The Mystery of the Buried Gold
Deep within Idaho’s rugged terrain lies one of the West’s most intriguing lost treasures – a cache of gold worth $100,000 in 1863 (equivalent to $1.6 million today) stolen by outlaws Ed Long and his accomplice.
You’ll find the mystery centered around City of Rocks, where treasure maps and hidden clues have led countless seekers on the hunt for this legendary cache. The gold’s location remains a tantalizing secret, hastily buried as a posse closed in on the outlaws.
- Distinctive rock formations create natural hiding spots throughout the area
- Pioneer trails crisscross the region, offering multiple escape routes
- Rough terrain provides endless potential burial sites
- Historical stagecoach routes mark possible treasure locations
Despite decades of searching, the gold remains hidden, protected by the silence of Long’s partner who took the secret to his grave.
Legends and Lore Around Treasure Rock
Steeped in tales of frontier robberies and hidden riches, Treasure Rock stands as a fascinating granite formation within Idaho’s City of Rocks National Reserve.
You’ll find this landmark deeply connected to legends of stagecoach heists and hidden caches from the 1800s, particularly the infamous $90,000 robbery that’d be worth over $1.6 million today.
The site’s folklore exploration reveals multiple versions of outlaw Ed Long’s treasure tale, with stories of him revealing the location to a fellow prisoner who later searched but found nothing.
While you can’t legally hunt for treasure in this protected area, you can explore the dramatic landscape that once served as both haven and hazard for pioneers, prospectors, and bandits alike.
The surrounding terrain, with its sculptured boulders and canyons, continues to fuel treasure legends that draw visitors year after year.
Outlaws of the Idaho Gold Rush Era
During Idaho’s tumultuous gold rush era, notorious outlaws like Henry Plummer and his Innocents gang terrorized the region’s mining communities, exploiting the lawless frontier for violent robberies and murders.
These outlaw legends used sophisticated methods to coordinate their crimes across the rugged territory.
- Secret code words and distinctive tie knots identified gang members
- Watchmen inside mining offices timed gold shipment routes
- Small cells ambushed travelers between Virginia City and Bannack
- Road agents preyed on merchants like Lloyd Magruder along remote trails
You’ll find that vigilante justice eventually emerged as the people’s response to this criminal reign.
Law and Order in 1860s Idaho Territory
As Idaho Territory emerged from its wild frontier roots in 1863, you’ll find that its first attempts at formal governance faced immense challenges.
With William B. Daniels serving as acting governor, territorial law enforcement struggled to maintain order across vast, sparsely populated regions dominated by transient mining camps.
Acting Governor Daniels faced daunting challenges controlling lawless mining camps scattered across Idaho Territory’s remote wilderness expanses.
You’d have seen the territory’s determination to establish order through several key initiatives: the formation of a militia to address Native American conflicts, the construction of the territorial prison in 1870, and the implementation of strict laws targeting practices like polygamy.
The legislature, initially meeting in Lewiston, worked to create basic governance structures while dealing with rapid population growth and diverse mining communities.
Despite these efforts, maintaining law and order remained a constant challenge throughout the 1860s.
The Economic Legacy of Idaho’s Mining Days
You’ll discover that Idaho’s early gold rushes created explosive market growth, with mining towns sprouting up virtually overnight as prospectors poured their newfound wealth into local economies.
The change from gold dust transactions to formal banking helped establish Idaho’s first financial institutions, marking a shift from frontier economics to structured commerce.
Today’s $1.1 billion mining contribution to Idaho’s economy traces directly back to those pivotal days when precious metals first drew fortune-seekers west.
Gold Rush’s Market Impact
While Idaho’s early gold rush era sparked the territory’s initial development, its economic impact continues to reverberate through the state’s modern mining industry.
You’ll find today’s gold market thriving with projects like Stibnite representing over $1.3 billion in investment, while creating substantial employment opportunities in the mining economy.
- Mining jobs offer salaries around $105,000 – more than triple Valley County’s average income
- Annual direct sales from Stibnite alone reach $298 million in Idaho
- The industry provides 500-600 full-time positions with $42 million in yearly payroll
- Local communities benefit from increased spending in retail, healthcare, and services
These numbers aren’t just statistics – they’re proof that Idaho’s mining heritage remains a powerful economic engine, supporting both state and local prosperity through sustained production and employment.
Evolution of Mining Money
The economic legacy of Idaho’s mining industry tells a complex story of unprecedented wealth creation and sobering economic challenges.
You’ll find evolutionary trends that swing from spectacular booms to devastating busts, shaping the state’s mining economics over generations.
When you look at early successes like Silver City’s $4 million placer yield in the 1860s and compare them to modern projections like Stibnite’s $1.8-2.4 billion GDP contribution, you’ll see how mining wealth continues to transform.
Yet you can’t ignore the harsh realities – when Bunker Hill closed in the 1980s, 2,000 jobs vanished and one-third of Shoshone County’s population left.
Today’s mining ventures, though smaller, offer hope through sustainable practices and diverse economic benefits, including high-wage jobs and substantial tax revenues.
Searching for Lost Riches: Modern Treasure Hunters
Modern treasure hunting has evolved far beyond the days of simple metal detectors and shovels, embracing cutting-edge technology that’s revolutionizing how enthusiasts search for lost riches.
Today’s treasure hunters tap into advanced tools and techniques, transforming an age-old pursuit into a high-tech adventure of discovery.
You’ll find today’s treasure hunters wielding sophisticated equipment that combines GPS, smartphone integration, and advanced sensing technologies to reveal the earth’s secrets.
- Ground Penetrating Radar lets you peer beneath the surface, revealing buried objects up to several feet deep with remarkable accuracy.
- Drone technology provides aerial reconnaissance of remote sites, capturing high-resolution terrain images you couldn’t access before.
- Compact wristwatch-style detectors with ionic radar systems detect precious metals up to 5 meters underground.
- Multi-modal data integration merges optical, acoustic, and electromagnetic data with historical research for precise site mapping.
Preserving the Wild West Heritage
Preserving Idaho’s Wild West heritage stands in stark contrast to the high-tech treasure hunting methods of today, as state agencies and cultural institutions work tirelessly to protect over 84,000 archaeological and historical sites.
You’ll find this cultural preservation effort everywhere, from the iconic City of Rocks National Reserve to the authentically maintained Oasis Bordello Museum.
The Idaho State Historical Society‘s commitment to historical significance shines through its extensive outreach, serving 110,000 visitors annually.
You can explore replicas of Fort Hall, walk through the Old Idaho Penitentiary, or visit the Salmon Sacajawea Center, where Native American perspectives are thoughtfully integrated into exhibits.
Through partnerships with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and other indigenous communities, Idaho’s preservation efforts guarantee that both pioneer and Native American histories remain accessible for future generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happened to Ed Long’s Partner After He Was Released From Jail?
You won’t find any record of the partner’s fate after his jail release – historical documents don’t reveal what became of him, leaving his ultimate destiny shrouded in mystery.
Did Ed Long Have Any Living Relatives Who Searched for the Treasure?
You won’t find historical records of Long family members searching for the treasure. While many treasure hunters have explored the area, there’s no credible evidence of Ed Long’s relatives joining the hunt.
Were There Maps or Sketches Found Among Ed Long’s Personal Belongings?
Through dusty archives and faded memories, you won’t find any credible evidence of maps or treasure sketches among Ed Long’s belongings. Historical records suggest he relied on mental knowledge rather than documented directions.
How Much Would the Stolen Gold Be Worth in Today’s Modern Currency?
You’re looking at a gold valuation ranging from $10-15 million today, considering historical context of 1863’s $100,000 theft, gold price increases, and standard inflation over the past 160 years.
Have Any Gold Pieces From the Robbery Ever Been Recovered or Authenticated?
You won’t find any authenticated gold pieces from this robbery – historical records show no confirmed gold recovery or treasure authentication despite numerous searches over the past 150+ years.
References
- http://mythslegendsandtales.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-legend-of-ed-long-and-city-of-rocks.html
- https://www.press-times.com/2023/05/03/treasure-hunting-by-celia-klassen-time-for-tea/
- https://npshistory.com/publications/ciro/hrs/sec2.htm
- https://www.nps.gov/places/treasure-rock.htm
- https://history.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/Idaho-Highway-Historical-Marker-Guide.pdf
- https://www.legendsofamerica.com/portneuf-canyon-robbery/
- http://sfcompanion.blogspot.com/2020/07/stagecoach-robbery-and-murder-in.html
- https://www.legendsofamerica.com/more-idaho-treasure/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAUWunZCeAw
- https://cityofrocksinstitute.org/history/
