Back in Kentucky’s days of old, many people either did not trust the banks, or did not have access to one. In cases such as this, wise Kentuckians would often bury their treasure hordes in spots they deemed safe. In most cases an old tree or some landmark would signal the spot, but many passed on before digging up their hidden treasures. A few ole’ timers thought to leave a note for their wives, but in some cases, their riches remain unclaimed, and well hidden.
Here are 11 hidden treasures most people don’t know about:
- Military money pokes
Juan Monroy Camp Beauregard once stood just southwest of Mayfield. From 1861 to 1862, it was a Confederate troop training base. Many soldiers were said to have buried their money around the base in holes they called money pokes. However, a barrage of physical ailments and epidemics ended in many deaths, and researchers believe an abundance of these money pokes were never recovered.
- Gold and silver bars near the Pines
Doug Kerr During the 1920s, some silver bars were found near Pineville around the Cumberland River. The tale has it that during the war, a Union Civil War Paymaster was being chased by Confederate soldiers. For fear of capture, the Paymaster dropped $3 million in silver and gold bars into the Cumberland River, as that was better than letting the Confederacy find them. All the bars still have not been found.
- Golden coins and Cottonwood trees
Lawrence OP James Langstaff passed on in 1872, but he left a note informing his wife there was $20,000 in gold coins buried on their land near a cottonwood tree. It has been determined the coins were buried either on South Third Street or Broadway in Paducah.
- A penny for your thoughts
Mark Turnauckas Fort Campbell’s soldiers of the past chose to bury a large barrel of pennies somewhere on the grounds. Little is known about the amount or the location of the barrel.
- Money cache and peaches
Jackson’s orchard The peaches that grew on Old Pitts farm, on the outskirts of Lothair, were always extra sweet. Ole’ times say that’s because the owner buried a large sum of money somewhere within a group of peach trees.
- Moore’s treasure
Michael Vines Near Dycusburg in the 1880s, a man named Moore kept a coin hoard hidden somewhere along his property. Two of his hired farm hands murdered Moore one eve, in hopes of retrieving his collection of coins. Though they searched, they couldn’t locate the stash. Both men were caught and imprisoned for Moore’s murder.
- Silver coins on Big Branch Creek
Blueviking63 South of Quicksand on Big Branch Creek, Jack Clemons once made his home and buried his treasures in a bucket. The old house still stands on the right of the creek about a mile above its mouth, but Jack passed on in the early 1900s. He never revealed the location, or the amount of silver he buried, other than to say it was a large amount.
- Old Grist Mill
David Reasons Nicholas Daugherty once owned and operated the Old Grist Mill during 1812 to 1816. During that time more than $15,000 in silver was buried somewhere behind the mill, around 2/3 of a mile. It is estimated to be about five miles above Barbourville.
- Outlaw’s horde
Courier Press Somewhere around Harpe’s Head Road near Dixon, the renowned outlaw, Micajah Harpe, had a treasure horde. He callously robbed and murdered countless people from 1795 to 1804, hiding away their jewelry, trinkets and cash. His horde is said to contain more than $300,000 worth of treasure.
- Tobacco’s cold gold
Brent Moore The Cole brothers raised a fine tobacco crop late during the Civil War. It was so fine they made a whopping $5,000 in gold coins for their hard work. Instead of trusting a bank, they hid the coins in their hearth, about 20 miles out of Paducah. Unfortunately, a robber broke in soon thereafter, killing the brothers and taking the gold. It was buried near the home, but the robbers fled. He left the money, took a new name and moved to Kentucky. The man died around the 1900s, but shared the location with a friend. The Cole house had been dismantled, and despite the “friend’s” best efforts, he never found the gold.
- Silver bars along Sandy River
Sprott Money In the 1760s, Jonathan Swift buried a heaping $150,000 in silver bars and ore somewhere along the Breaks of Sandy River in a cave. It was said to be along Highway 80, near Elkhorn City around the base of Pine Mountain. It’s a beautiful area–and it would become even more lovely upon discovering that silver sparkle.
With the incredible history of Kentucky lands, there is no telling what we can find if we start digging. Of course, it depends on where you live. Many rural areas that have been worked by farmers over the generations could have all types of hidden coins and such buried around. Banks have not always been the favored way of storing money. There is something about looking for buried treasure that brings about excitement. Wouldn’t you love to “accidentally” find an ancient treasure horde?
Juan Monroy
Camp Beauregard once stood just southwest of Mayfield. From 1861 to 1862, it was a Confederate troop training base. Many soldiers were said to have buried their money around the base in holes they called money pokes. However, a barrage of physical ailments and epidemics ended in many deaths, and researchers believe an abundance of these money pokes were never recovered.
Doug Kerr
During the 1920s, some silver bars were found near Pineville around the Cumberland River. The tale has it that during the war, a Union Civil War Paymaster was being chased by Confederate soldiers. For fear of capture, the Paymaster dropped $3 million in silver and gold bars into the Cumberland River, as that was better than letting the Confederacy find them. All the bars still have not been found.
Lawrence OP
James Langstaff passed on in 1872, but he left a note informing his wife there was $20,000 in gold coins buried on their land near a cottonwood tree. It has been determined the coins were buried either on South Third Street or Broadway in Paducah.
Mark Turnauckas
Fort Campbell’s soldiers of the past chose to bury a large barrel of pennies somewhere on the grounds. Little is known about the amount or the location of the barrel.
Jackson’s orchard
The peaches that grew on Old Pitts farm, on the outskirts of Lothair, were always extra sweet. Ole’ times say that’s because the owner buried a large sum of money somewhere within a group of peach trees.
Michael Vines
Near Dycusburg in the 1880s, a man named Moore kept a coin hoard hidden somewhere along his property. Two of his hired farm hands murdered Moore one eve, in hopes of retrieving his collection of coins. Though they searched, they couldn’t locate the stash. Both men were caught and imprisoned for Moore’s murder.
Blueviking63
South of Quicksand on Big Branch Creek, Jack Clemons once made his home and buried his treasures in a bucket. The old house still stands on the right of the creek about a mile above its mouth, but Jack passed on in the early 1900s. He never revealed the location, or the amount of silver he buried, other than to say it was a large amount.
David Reasons
Nicholas Daugherty once owned and operated the Old Grist Mill during 1812 to 1816. During that time more than $15,000 in silver was buried somewhere behind the mill, around 2/3 of a mile. It is estimated to be about five miles above Barbourville.
Courier Press
Somewhere around Harpe’s Head Road near Dixon, the renowned outlaw, Micajah Harpe, had a treasure horde. He callously robbed and murdered countless people from 1795 to 1804, hiding away their jewelry, trinkets and cash. His horde is said to contain more than $300,000 worth of treasure.
Brent Moore
The Cole brothers raised a fine tobacco crop late during the Civil War. It was so fine they made a whopping $5,000 in gold coins for their hard work. Instead of trusting a bank, they hid the coins in their hearth, about 20 miles out of Paducah. Unfortunately, a robber broke in soon thereafter, killing the brothers and taking the gold. It was buried near the home, but the robbers fled. He left the money, took a new name and moved to Kentucky. The man died around the 1900s, but shared the location with a friend. The Cole house had been dismantled, and despite the “friend’s” best efforts, he never found the gold.
Sprott Money
In the 1760s, Jonathan Swift buried a heaping $150,000 in silver bars and ore somewhere along the Breaks of Sandy River in a cave. It was said to be along Highway 80, near Elkhorn City around the base of Pine Mountain. It’s a beautiful area–and it would become even more lovely upon discovering that silver sparkle.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
