The Great Stone Wall Mystery

"We happened upon the structure while searching for a hidden cave once used by the notorious Apaches during the 1880s. "

The cave is alleged to contain rifles, handguns, ammo and saddles, decorated with silver. A very impressive find if located. The cave is supposedly located near high cliffs, of which there are many, on the eastern side of these mountains.

This region is extremely hazardous, especially during the summers. Temperatures can reach 110° or more, as we discovered during our first summer on the desert. Hot winds whistle among the boulders and seem to come from the furnaces of hell itself. Luckily we’d be searching during winter months.

This story was told by Roy’s friend, Breezy, owner of the old Tubac Inn. After hearing this story we decided to move camp and begin searching for the elusive cave. After seeing the rugged area, one can understand why it’s never been found.

After weeks of climbing ridges, cliffs and deep rocky canyons infested with snakes, we found no trace of the treasure cave. However, several caves were discovered which turned out to be “javalina dens,” home to the wild boars of the desert that can be quite ill tempered at times.

Of course, our hunt for the cave was unsuccessful, if in fact it ever existed. We enjoyed this hunt and there was always the chance we’d stumble upon something else while exploring. We found a “big one” the following day.

While hiking through this sun baked country, Chuck and Roy happened upon a large overhanging rock and called me over. The ground beneath was littered with bits of flint and many broken arrowheads. This definitely had been where Indians once made these fine pieces of workmanship. Gathering some of the best we moved on, and into a mystery that plagues us to this day.

Later while climbing a high lonely ridge near Sardina Peak, a lofty mountain which dominates the northern boundaries of these unfriendly hills, we came upon a wall—a very mysterious stone wall. The structure where it begins was only a foot in height. But, the wall slowly increases in size as it winds across the summit for almost a third of a mile. It ends near several boulders, where it measures nearly five feet high.

Gazing at this monumental piece of engineering, one could see no purpose for its existence. Midway along its twisting route there’s an odd half moon circle, formed by the wall. It would be many years before we discovered its alleged meaning.

I’m not trying to be overly dramatic, but while in the presence of this wall, you have a strange feeling you’re not welcome. This could have been brought about by the eeriness of the location. The wall is built well, and many months of labor must have gone into its completion, perhaps centuries ago. After exploring and trying to determine why the thing was ever built, we had lunch beside some boulders. Later we took pictures and returned to camp.

One day Louie Romero rode in. We asked what he knew of the wall.

Looking at us with a wide grin, he said, “What have you been drinking? There is no wall up there.” This was strange as he was raised here and knew the land like the back of his hand. However, he might have missed it, as he only rides the low rolling hills most of the time, not the rugged ridges where cattle seldom venture.

Luckily we had been to Tucson and had the film developed. After viewing the pictures, Louie said, “I have never seen this wall or heard of it.” This only deepened the mystery.

During 1985 I met, Bill Conley, another treasure hunter. Over the months we became close friends and made frequent trips into the surrounding mountains. During one I happened to mention the wall. Bill was curious to visit the site, so plans were made.

A few days later, after an hour’s climb and crawling through catsclaw which tears at you without mercy, we arrived at the wall. After seeing the unique structure once again it brought back pleasant memories of the adventurous times we spent among these harsh hills.

Bill was fascinated by the wall, and he also couldn’t imagine why it was built. He brought his camcorder and taped some 15 minutes of the monument showing various portions of the strange oddity. Bill also couldn’t understand why it slowly increased in size. Using ones imagination, the wall almost resembles a giant snake stretched out across the summit with the small section being its tail, and the largest its head.

When first discovered in ’57, I had Chuck take a picture of me beside the wall. I asked Bill to duplicate the picture and pointed toward the ledge where Chuck had taken it. A few hours later we descended to Bill’s 4 x 4 and returned home.

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By Mr. Ron Quinn. Treasure hunting in Southern Arizona, four friends unearth a medium-size treasure south of Tucson, Arizona, which consisted of 82 pounds of Spanish gold bullion. Ron passed away in August 2016. Buy on Amazon.com.

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Unbeknown to us at the time, another mystery was to unfold concerning this discovery. When I compared both pictures, the ’57 photo and our recent one, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I called Bill, saying I’d be right over as there was something he must see.

He also saw the difference. A large portion of the wall had been “moved.” A section had mysteriously been straightened out. Almost 20 feet was moved further north. In our recent picture this is quite obvious. The wall is also much wider. A boulder, near me and above, was against the wall. Now you could walk between both. I hadn’t noticed these changes until viewing the photos, as memories do fade over the years, but pictures don’t lie.

It was difficult to fathom who or what would undertake such an enormous task, moving tons of stones out in the middle of nowhere, just to straighten a section out. Also, when did this transformation occur?

Other portions could have been moved, but not having pictures to compare, this would be almost impossible to determine. What we had was a second mystery. But soon, another would follow.

Months later I happened to meet a gentleman from Sedona, Arizona, by the name of Anderson. He also was interested in Southwestern legends. So, I mentioned our wall with the half moon circle. He looked at me in amazement and said quite loudly, “Do you realize what you have found?” His explanation would only deepen this mystery.

I was informed we had discovered the legendary “Healing Wall,” once used by the ancient Indians. The half moon circle was the altar and many miracles were performed there. In all our travels we had never heard of this legend, and we heard them all. Not even from old Indians we had known had we heard this story, perhaps they knew but kept it a secret.

On a topomap of the region, I pointed out the wall’s location, but due to Anderson’s age, I doubt he ever attempted the long grueling climb to the site.

The Tucson Citizen, a local newspaper, found the story interesting enough to publish an article about the wall. During the interview I never mentioned its location. I didn’t want any weird cults invading the site, thinking the ancient wall was somehow magical. Several of my friends believe it is. As far as I was concerned, no graffiti or unruly crowds were going to slowly destroy this site, as so many in the past have been. Quoting a paragraph from the article:

“University of Arizona researchers, who have not visited the site, say it is unlikely to have any connection with prehistoric Hohokam Trincheras walls and terraces that dot hillsides in Southern Arizona and northern Sonora.”

The vicinity where this mysterious structure is located is quite remote. Not many venture into this desert domain. The area is also known for its legends of treasures and other strange mysteries. We investigated many during our years roaming the southern portion of Arizona.

If you ever decide to explore this hazardous country, be aware of all I have said. These haunting hills are unforgiving, and have changed very little since the sandal-footed padres first stepped into the valley. As for the wall, it still stands there, high above the valley floor on that windswept ridge. Its secrets, if any, are guarded by the lofty peaks that look down in silence. Who rebuilt it and for what purpose remains a mystery. Anderson might have been correct when he said ancient shamans once practiced magic there. If this is right, it could explain the feeling of being unwelcome. Perhaps we were standing on sacred ground.

If I visit the site again and discover the wall back in its original position, my belief in the paranormal will greatly increase. People living within the shadows of these ghostly mountains have no idea of the secrets they hold. The wall is just one of many.