The average person might consider Oak Island – a small island on the southern shore of Nova Scotia – an unassuming, unimpressive island with hardly anything to offer. For the most part, they may be right, but there’s no denying that more than 50 books have been written about Oak Island, documenting how rich its history is. The mysterious Money Pit has become a legendary site for more than 200 years, inviting treasure hunters from all over the globe to come with pickaxes and shovels to uncover centuries-old pieces of booty. Excavating the site is far from safe, but the Lagina brothers from Michigan have risked everything to unearth some the most fantastic, and mysterious, treasures.
1. The Legend
The story of Oak Island began in 1799 when three teenage boys – Daniel McGinnis, John Smith, and Anthony Vaughn – discovered a mystifying crater in the ground. The crater was surrounded by loose soil, an ideal site for young boys to begin digging. Daniel heard of rumors of the Scottish Pirate Captain Kidd supposedly hiding treasure – estimated at over £2 million – somewhere in the area. They dug more than 30 feet deep and found a layer of flagstone, tool marks, and oak platforms in the pit.
2. The Money Pit
For some unknown reason, after reaching 30 feet into the earth, the teenage boys called it quits. Some speculate that they attempted to keep the pit a secret, but secrets don’t remain hidden for long. A group from the Onslow Company noticed the 30-foot hole and used industrial excavating tools to continue the endeavor. After reaching 90 below sea level, the group found something that shocked them: a stone inscribed with mysterious symbols.
3. The Stone
The symbols on the stone remain a mystery to this day. An 1862 report in the local newspaper described the stone as 2-foot square with several engraved characters. The symbols were never translated, and the stone ultimately became lost, but some have taken the symbols to mean a vast amount of hidden wealth where the stone was discovered.
4. Speculations
Many people have produced theories and conspiracies centered on the stone with its mystifying engravings. A certain group claim that the stone’s site may be hiding a collection of Marie Antoinette’s jewelry, while others believe the pit is hiding manuscripts by Francis Bacon showing him to be the real author behind Willian Shakespeare’s works. Rumor or not, the pit has provided great insight and evidence for 200 years that researchers have deemed useful.
5. William Chappell
One of the most well-known researchers that visited the island was a man by the name of William Chappell. He first became interested in the island after reading an article in the newspaper which prompted him to fly to Canada and begin excavating for himself. What he found astounded him more than he ever hoped. While digging, he unearthed an ax, a fluke anchor, and a pick.
6. Gilbert Hedden
After William Chappell’s excavation project ended due to a lack of funds, Gilbert Hedden, an American industrialist, took over. Using resources from his company, Bethlehem Steel, he consulted with British journalist Harold T. Wilkins who convinced him that Captain Kidd’s treasure was hidden in the Pit. After an initial dig, Gilbert purchased a large portion of the island so he could proceed undisturbed.
7. Ancient Axe
One of the most important discoveries by William Chappell was an ancient arcadian ax that appeared to be 250 years old. How the ax and other artifacts got there remains a mystery, but their discovery only strengthens the belief that the island has more treasure hidden beneath the surface.
8. Why Bury Treasure?
One of the most commonly asked questions regarding buried treasure is why would the owner bother hiding it in the first place? In the case of Oak Island, it may have been caused by war. Conflicts and violence tend to drive people away from the comfort of their home, and any possessions they can carry with them are hidden in safe underground ditches to be picked up later on. For many people fleeing the French-Indian War and the Seven Years War, Oak Island would have been the safest place to store their prized possessions.
9. Pirates
Another reason why so many people perceive Oak Island to be a source of endless treasure is pirates. Between 1690 and 1730 – a time period which is often referred to as the Golden Age of Piracy – many pirates were known to travel to Oak Island. The island was known having being the perfect hideaway to stock up on wood, water, and other provisions, but it was also the ideal spot to hide their loot. But there’s one treasure hunter that would surprise you more than anyone else.
10. Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt was an avid treasure hunter who dedicated a portion of his life to uncovering the mysteries of Oak Island. The 32nd POTUS was part of an expedition of divers and diggers who sadly produced nothing when excavating the Pit. This, however, didn’t deter Franklin as he was always up to date on the latest news of the Island, even during his time in the White House.
11. The Restall Tragedy
In the late 1950s, Robert Restall took his 18-year-old son and work partner Karle Graeser after being permitted to work in the Money Pit. In 1965, they had successfully reached 28 feet into the Pit when Robert, who went down alone, was knocked unconscious by hydrogen sulfide fumes. His son desperately went for his father but too lost consciousness. Graeser and two contract workers went in to pull the pair out, but sadly, the Restall family didn’t survive. This was a grave reminder to everybody who thought digging into the Pit was all fun and games.
12. What about the Lagina Brothers?
Brothers Marty and Rick Lagina dedicated almost their entire lives on solving the Island’s riddles. They were also hoping to uncover any ancient booty that would turn them into infamous treasure hunters. Only recently did they stumble upon some pretty impressive findings. Keep reading to find out what the Lagina brothers managed to unearth.
13. Explorers Since Birth
The Lagina Brothers’ fascination with Oak Island can be traced back to their childhood. Since learning about the island, the two brothers had always dreamed of uncovering an ancient artifact. While Rick was just 10 years old, he made his first discovery – something that would cement his desire on becoming a treasure hunter.
14. Large Investment
In 2006, the brothers decided to turn their dream into a full-time career. After scouting the island and learning more about what sort of mysteries lay underneath, Marty and Rick spent their life savings on purchasing half of the shares of the Oak Island Tour Company, an investment that included owning a part of the island and the rights to any treasure beneath. The other half of the company remained with the previous shareholder, the Blankenship Clan.
15. The Curse
Every treasure hunter who knows about Oak Island will tell you about the island’s curse. According to legend, in order to find treasure, seven people must lose their lives in pursuing the island’s riches. So far, six people have died in their quest over a 100-year long period. Although the odd artifact may have sprung up every now and then, believers of the curse are waiting for the seventh person to perish in order for buried treasure to make them millionaires.
16. Waiting Pays off
After years of working and an innumerable amount of money spent on the endeavor, the Lagina brothers made a major finding: a Spanish copper coin believed to be dated all the way back to the 17th century. This finding was a breath of fresh air to the brothers who, despite their dreams of striking it rich on ancient loot, were beginning to lose hope. Perhaps unearthing one coin meant a whole treasure trove of copper coins waiting to be discovered.
17. Roman Sword
In the third season of their show, the siblings and their crew drained a large pond which left several prized possessions exposed for the pickings. A fellow treasure hunter showed them an ancient sword that may have been made by the Romans. If true, this piece of evidence could prove that Romans had traveled to the Americans several thousands of years ago. This could also indicate that buried treasure in Oak Island may be far older and far more valuable than anyone had predicted.
18. High-Detail Main
Researcher and historian Zena Halpen explained her theory that 12th-century templars had come to Oak Island. Her theory is reinforced by a French map dated to the mid-1640s with the words hatch, valve, and anchor written on it. Her theory strongly suggests that a great amount of ancient wealth may be residing on the island and waiting to be discovered. All the Lagina brothers had to do was continue digging.
19. A Brave Team
Marty and Rick Lagina would have never been able to excavate the island so thoroughly without the help of an experienced team. Two siblings were accompanied by David Blankenship, Gary Drayton, and Craig Tester, an old friend, who took to combing through the island with the finest detail.
20. Gary Drayton
One person who added a ton of value to the brave team was Gary Drayton, an expert in detecting metal and author of numerous treasure hunting books. With his years of experience and penchant for finding metal out of seemingly nowhere, while working in Smith’s Cove, the team uncovered something that was truly remarkable.
21. Dan and David’s Determination
Dan Blankenship, the original sole proprietor of the Oak Island Tour company, spend more than 50 years drilling to uncover the Island’s secrets. He passed his knowledge and expertise to his son, David, who often accompanies his father on excavation trips. Although David suffered a serious injury more than 30 years ago, he still remains active and hopeful that he and his father will discover something beyond their wildest dreams on the island.
22. David Blankenship
David Blankenship has spent nearly as much time as his father on uncovering the Island’s secrets. He sold his home in Florida and moved his family to Oak Island where he helps his father and the Lagina brothers in their pursuit. He has dedicated most of his life on this quest, and he hopes to use his remaining years on discovering Oak Island’s secrets.
23. Medieval Cross
The brothers and Gary found a cross made of lead with a square hole on top. Using carbon dating methods, they discovered that the cross was made sometime between the 1200s and 1600s, effectively making the cross of medieval origin. This, of course, suggests that people came to Oak Island before the Americas had been discovered by Columbus.
24. Knights Templar
Historical records suggest that the Knights Templar may have come to the island and chose the Money Pit to hide treasure. The Catholic organization dates back to 1119 with representatives across ancient Europe and the Middle East. The Templars had huge financial and political power, but they were also quite secretive in their works.
