Tales of the Neahkahnie Treasure
Publisher: Nehalem Valley Historical Society Neahkahnie Treasure Committee
Published: 1991
Language: eng
Number of pages: 26
Subjects: Neahkahnie Mountain; treasure legend; Spanish galleon; Manila galleons; shipwreck; excavation; archaeology; test pits; metal detection; ground-penetrating radar; cairns; artifacts; stratigraphy; Oregon State Parks; treasure hunters; mapping
Description: <div><hr />
<h3><strong>Overview</strong></h3>
<ul><li>
<p>The report is a detailed account of the 1991 excavation undertaken by the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department and other stakeholders.</p>
</li><li>
<p>The purpose of the excavation was to investigate longstanding legends of buried treasure linked to Spanish sailors and supposed 17th-century shipwrecks on the Oregon coast.</p>
</li></ul>
<hr />
<h3><strong>Historical Background</strong></h3>
<ul><li>
<p>Neahkahnie Mountain has been the focus of treasure legends dating back to the mid-1800s.</p>
</li><li>
<p>Stories mention Spanish galleons, possibly from Manila, shipwrecking off the coast and burying treasure guarded by Native lore and cryptic markers.</p>
</li><li>
<p>Prior searches and digs (some unlicensed) over decades were driven by these legends.</p>
</li></ul>
<hr />
<h3><strong>The 1991 Excavation</strong></h3>
<ul><li>
<p>Aimed at conducting a formal archaeological study of the site under professional oversight.</p>
</li><li>
<p>Excavation included several test pits and trenches near previously disturbed areas.</p>
</li><li>
<p>Metal detectors and ground-penetrating radar were used to identify anomalies before digging.</p>
</li></ul>
<hr />
<h3><strong>Findings</strong></h3>
<ul><li>
<p>The team did not discover any treasure or artifacts linked to Spanish maritime activity.</p>
</li><li>
<p>Most materials found were modern (nails, wires, debris) or natural (rocks, root casts).</p>
</li><li>
<p>Stratigraphy was disrupted by prior digging, making interpretation difficult.</p>
</li></ul>
<hr />
<h3><strong>Conclusions</strong></h3>
<ul><li>
<p>The excavation found no evidence supporting the treasure legends.</p>
</li><li>
<p>The site was significantly disturbed by earlier unauthorized digging.</p>
</li><li>
<p>The report emphasizes the importance of scientific methods and discourages amateur treasure hunting that damages historical integrity.</p></li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
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<h3>👤 <strong>Names of People</strong></h3>
<ul><li>
<p><strong>Thomas J. Connolly</strong> – Project Director, author of the report</p>
</li><li>
<p><strong>Richard Pettigrew</strong> – Co-director of the project</p>
</li><li>
<p><strong>Douglas Deur</strong> – Anthropologist involved</p>
</li><li>
<p><strong>Tom Dye</strong> – Assisted with ground-penetrating radar</p>
</li><li>
<p><strong>David Vail</strong> – Related to site mapping</p>
</li><li>
<p><strong>E. C. Croswell</strong> – 1890s figure connected to treasure digging</p>
</li><li>
<p><strong>Pat Smith</strong> – Area Manager for Nehalem Bay State Park</p>
</li><li>
<p><strong>Edward L. Ray</strong> – Involved in logistical or site matters</p>
</li><li>
<p><strong>R. H. Greenfield</strong> – Referenced in relation to historical treasure activities</p></li></ul>