Coronado's Children

Coronado's Children chronicles the tales of treasure hunters and prospectors who searched for lost mines and buried riches across Texas and the American Southwest. The book combines historical accounts, folklore, and firsthand narratives collected by J. Frank Dobie in the early 20th century. The title draws a parallel between these modern-day treasure seekers and the 16th-century Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, who led expeditions searching for the legendary Seven Cities of Gold. Dobie spent years gathering stories from prospectors, ranchers, and descendants of original settlers who pursued similar dreams of discovering hidden wealth. The collection features stories of Spanish missions, outlaws' hoards, lost mines, and Native American treasures, documenting both the physical landscapes and cultural heritage of the Southwest. The accounts range from the Mexican border to the Texas Hill Country, capturing a unique period in American frontier history. These tales of obsession and adventure reflect broader themes of human nature - the eternal quest for riches, the power of legends to shape behavior, and the complex relationship between myth and reality in the American West.

Readers consistently highlight the book's collection of Texas folk tales and treasure hunting stories, with many noting its historical value in preserving oral traditions. Many reviewers describe it as a blend of history and folklore that captures the spirit of Texas treasure hunters. Readers appreciated: - Rich details about Texas geography and landmarks - First-hand accounts from treasure hunters - Mix of historical facts with folklore - Dobie's storytelling style - Cultural insights into 1920s-30s Texas Common criticisms: - Dated writing style can be difficult to follow - Some stories lack clear endings or resolution - Geographic descriptions can be too lengthy - Maps and illustrations would have helped Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (89 ratings) One reader noted: "These aren't just treasure stories, they're snapshots of Texas history." Another commented: "The writing is dense but the stories are fascinating - each chapter works as its own adventure."

Lost Cities of North America by John M. O'Shea This investigation of vanished Native American settlements and mysterious ruins combines archaeological findings with oral histories and cultural legends.

Cities of Gold by Douglas Preston A horseback journey through the American Southwest traces Coronado's original route while exploring both historical accounts and modern locations connected to Spanish treasure hunts.

Shadow of the Sentinel by Warren Getler and Bob Brewer The book documents the search for Confederate gold and artifacts through secret codes, buried clues, and historical documents.

Lost Gold and Silver Mines of the Southwest by Eugene L. Conrotto This compilation maps and documents historical mine locations while examining the stories of prospectors who discovered-and lost-valuable claims throughout the American Southwest.

Apache Gold and Yaqui Silver by J. Frank Dobie The text chronicles the historical accounts of lost mines and treasures in the borderlands between the United States and Mexico through documented records and indigenous oral traditions.

🏺 The book's title "Coronado's Children" refers not to actual descendants of the explorer, but to spiritual successors - the dreamers and treasure hunters who follow similar quests for riches. 💫 First published in 1930, the book helped establish J. Frank Dobie as one of the preeminent chroniclers of Southwestern culture and earned him the title "Mr. Texas" among literary circles. ⛰️ One of the most famous tales in the book concerns the Lost Sublett Mine in West Texas, which reportedly contained gold so pure it could be cut with a knife. 🏛️ J. Frank Dobie gathered many of these stories directly from old-timers and treasure hunters while serving as a professor at the University of Texas, where he taught from 1914 to 1947. 🗺️ The real Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, who inspired the book's title, led a massive expedition through the Southwest from 1540-1542, searching for the legendary Seven Cities of Cíbola.