Treasure Hunting Wisconsin

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GOLD

Placer Deposits

     A placer deposit is a concentration of a natural material that has accumulated in unconsolidated sediments of a stream bed, beach, or residual deposit.  Gold derived by weathering or other process from lode deposits is likely to accumulate in placer deposits because of its weight and resistance to corrosion.  In addition, its characteristically sun-yellow color makes it easily and quickly recognizable even in very small quantities.

     The gold pan or miner's pan is a shallow sheet-iron vessel with sloping sides and flat bottom used to wash gold-bearing gravel or other material containing heavy minerals. The process of washing material in a pan, referred to as "panning," is the simplest, most commonly used, and least expensive method for a prospector to separate gold from the silt, sand, and gravel of the stream deposits.  It is a tedious, back-breaking job and only with practice does one become proficient in the operation. Thankfully, technology finally caught up with our gold fever and brought us metal detectors!

Gold, with an occasional diamond has been reported from Plum Creek near Rock Elm in Pierce County and the Kenosha area.  Commercially viable gold quantities have eluded explorers however.  Gold could potentially be found in numerous creeks and rivers throughout the state, but it's largely hit and miss since all the state's gold are placers from glacial deposition with no lode. 

Gold primarily occurs in three different geologic settings in Wisconsin: 
1.) bedrock, 2.) sediments eroded from bedrock by glaciation, and 3.) in stream gravels.  Look for streams with sufficient vertical drop and water flow to separate and concentrate placer gold.

As always, ask for permission before detecting / panning on private property.  However, the Chequamegon and Nicolet National Forests, in northern Wisconsin have possible placer potential.  These National Forests may allow recreational gold prospecting along many streams which show good potential.  Contact district rangers for more info to include maps and regulations.

RELICS, COINS, & JEWELRY

Wisconsin has a rich history of early settlements - the perfect spot for an energetic relic hunter!  Here's a few more ideas to get you started:

• Schools and College Campuses
• Parks / Playgrounds / Picnic Areas
• Foundations, Wells, and Cellar Holes of Old Churches or Houses
• Downtown Construction Sites
• Swimming Holes, Beaches, and Natural Springs
• Camp Grounds, Boy Scout Camps, WPA Camps, and Mining Camps
• Sports Facilities
• Ghost Towns
• Rodeo Arenas, Riding Stables, and Race Tracks
• Old Fair and Carnival Locations
• Old Town Dumpsites

LOST TREASURE

As in other areas of the US, there are several tales of lost treasure in Wisconsin concerning caches buried for safety.  In many of these stories, people either died or forgot where they buried the stash.  Contributing factors include:  

    1.  Federal laws making possession of gold illegal in the early 1900s

    2.  Distrust of banks during the Great Depression. 

• The Dillinger gang hid $250,000 in currency in the woods near Mercer in 1934.
• Outlaws considered Bogus Bluff near Gotham, Richland County, to be a good hiding place for coins, many of which remain there today.
• On Stockton Island (one of the Apostle Islands near Bayfield) treasure is supposed to have been hidden by British soldiers.

These excerpts are a sampling from American Coin Treasures and Hoards

References to Find More Treasure in Wisconsin

• Wisconsin Atlas and Gazetteer - Have Map...Will Travel!
• Wisconsin Historical Atlas - Don't Know Much About History?  Buy It!
• Ghost Towns of Wisconsin - Research = Relics
• Oneida Indian Journey - NY to Wisconsin, 1784-1860 
• Wisconsin Death Trip - Interesting Read
• New Pioneers in the Heartland of Wisconsin - A Great Start to Relics
• La Pointe - Village Outpost on Madeline Island 
• Milwaukee Road 1850-1960 Photo Archive 
• Indian Mounds of Wisconsin - For Information Only
• History Just Ahead - Wisconsin's Historical Markers 
• Wisconsin in the Civil War, 1861-1865 - Find a Button or a Beltplate!
• History of Wisconsin - The Civil War Era, 1848-1873 
• History of Wisconsin - 1914-1940 - Great Reference to Find Silver Coins

Wisconsin Metal Detecting Leads

• Ghost Towns.com  - Wisconsin Ghost Town Directory
• Online Maps of Wisconsin - Collection Index
• State Treasure Tale - Lost Treasure Online© Link
• More State Tales - On Lost Treasure USA!!
• Wisconsin Grids - Use this tool to document your find's location!

Back to How & Where to Find Treasure               Treasurefish HOME

     Information posted is from various United States Geologic Service (USGS) material and the Gold Prospectors Association of America ( GPAA) Mining Guide.  The GPAA is a professional, family oriented organization that's been around for awhile and they'll treat you right.  There's many more areas to find gold than what's listed above.  If you are serious about finding gold, we recommend that you check out your local club to learn the proper techniques and some good spots to hunt from the pros.  The only alternative is to spend a whole lot of money on gas and wasting valuable time doing your own thing.  For more information, Click Here