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The Los Padres Mine, sometimes referred to as the 'Lost Gold Mines of Los Padres', is a legendary mine. Believed to be located in Southern California within the borders of the San Emigdio land grant in Northern Ventura County of what used to be New Spain or Mexico.
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History
According to historical accounts, the Lost Padres mine was created and operated by Catholic missionaries and Native Americans. The date of the creation of the mine is believed to be anywhere from the late 17th century to the late 18th or early 19th century, although earlier estimates are likely more accurate due to the indications that the Jesuit priests who funded the creation of the mine were dignitaries of Spain or Mexico.{{Citation needed}}
The mine is reportedly home to large deposits of unrefined gold and silver from veins of quartz pushed into the mountains of Southern California by glaciers roughly 1.8 million years ago. In addition, it is believed that the bodies of as many as 20 workers, mostly Native Americans, were buried in a cave-in. {{Citation needed}} Upon its reported rediscovery in the 1800s, many of those seeking to return to the mine were killed in riding accidents on the way to the mine either being thrown off their horses or falling down the cliffs of the San Emigdio region.{{Citation needed}}
20th Century
Throughout the 20th century and up until today, several small groups of people and families have searched for this little-known legend that many historians agree does exist, or has existed at one point. The most notable and prominent example is the Edwards family. John Edwards is the primary source of researchers, as his father and grandfather were both reportedly experts on the topic. Edwards' father had reportedly rediscovered the mine around the time of World War II, only sharing its general vicinity, today known as Doc Williams Canyon near Eagle Rest Peak in the mountains of Kern County, just north of Mount Pinos, the tallest peak in Ventura County.
Recently
The most recent attempt at rediscovery is by Jake Allard, a local college student of Anthropology at Moorpark College. Allard has claimed to have made a total of 3 expeditions in the regions described by Edwards, following the San Emigdio Creek through the various canyons. During the most successful expedition he was accompanied by three colleagues from Moorpark College and Carnegie Mellon University. Allard believes this vicinity is the only viable option based on clues and context given in historical records, which include nearby veins of silver and quartz, and gold dust discovered during the search. Artifacts discovered by Allard back up this claim, including a late 18th or mid 19th century mining tool, although it has not as of yet been confirmed from where it came originally.
Red Rock Canyon mine
Some theories suggest the Red Rock Canyon mine, located near Castaic, is actually an off shoot vein of the Lost Padre mine. However, there are many issues with this claim. The Red Rock mine, was discovered in the 19th century and worked until 1935, over one hundred years after the Lost Padres mine was said to be in operation. Some, including Allard, dispute this claim, who has actually mapped a path to the Red Rock mine in 2016. He was joined by fellow history enthusiast Jared Arp, in an attempt to collect evidence of late Mexican/early American creation of the Red Rock mine, instead of by Jesuit missionaries.
Popular Culture
A new low budget film entitled Lost Padre Mine (2017) has been released starring Jason Braddock. "Lost Padre Mine" follows Wayne Braddock, a treasure hunter who, under the invitation of a member of the local clergy, arrives in El Paso to search for the missing Padre LaRue Spanish gold.