Peg Leg Smith was a "mountain man, prospector,
and spinner of tall tales," who lived from
1801 to 1866. A born Kentuckian who staggered
West and never returned, Smith claimed he found
pure gold nuggets in the Borrego Springs area.
Peg Leg would tell anyone who'd listen about the
"fabulous wealth" hidden in the hills.
It was hidden because Peg Leg couldn't exactly
remember where the mine was...
The event, held every year on the first Saturday
night of April beginning at sunset, is always
a treat.
All comers are welcome to enter the contest.
Sign up is on arrival at the contest site, which
is held at the Pegleg Smith memorial, about seven
miles east of Borrego Springs on Route S-22. Presentations
are done in order of sign up. Stories should be
of no more than five minutes in length (another
little joke). They should be about lost gold and/or
Pegleg Smith. Costumes and other original touches
are always appreciated by the crowd and judges.
Liar Peg Leg Smith Monument: Henderson Canyon
Road, Borrego Springs, CA [Show Map] Directions:
8 mi E on Hwy 22, couple miles past airport, as
Pegleg Road curves east, fork left onto Henderson
Canyon Road. Pile and monument is a few hundred
yards on right
(more, at:
www.roadsideamerica.com
& www.desertUSA.com)
