The Spanish
Some say Columbus found the New World by accident while searching for a quicker route to India.
Others say he had a very old map that showed him exactly where he was going.
Which version is true and correct? Who knows? I was not there, and have no clue. There are a lot of stories floating around about many possibilities concerning written history versus possible histories. Some of those will be looked at here, and some won't. I have gone round and round with myself over which will and which will not be included. Since I live and hunt (mostly) in the Southern California Area, should I only include things in the American SouthWest? There was much Spanish Activity all over the New World, and including every possible Treasure and Historically Significant Story would take up volumes. I will start out with what I have, and go from there.
CORTEZ
In 1519, Hernan Cortez landed in the New World. Aztec Witnesses to the landing were amazed at the sight of the horses and armor.
Their light skin and beards had not been seen except in legend. Their legends spoke of a God who had light skin and a beard who would someday return and bring great prosperity back to the Aztecs. Consequently, Cortez and his men were treated like Gods (at first).
They were escorted to the Aztec Capitol (Tenochtitlan). Here, Cortez' Diarios reported that there were buildings sheathed in gold. That the locals all wore solid gold jewelry. He was amazed at the amount of gold on display.
For the Treasure Aspect of this story, see the Hidden Cache Section under Montezuma.
Pizarro
Francisco Pizarro landed at San Mateo Bay in 1532. After traveling through desert and snow-capped mountains, Pizarro and his men (who included Hernando De Soto) arrived at Cajamarca (in 1533), where they captured Atahualpa the 13th. The last emperor of the Incas. Atahualpa had just won a civil war against his half-brother (Huáscar), after which he executed Huáscar and his family. Atahualpa had invited Pizarro to a celebratory feast, thinking that the Spanish were not much of a threat. Pizarro ambushed Atahualpa and killed thousands of his men. Atahualpa offered a huge ransom for his own release. He offered to exchange his freedom for a room piled floor to ceiling with gold.
Pizarro accepted the ransom offer, and imprisoned Atahualpa. Word was sent out to the far corners of the Incan Empire. Eventually, the gold started pouring in, and in a short time, the romm was completely filled with gold. Pizarro considered releasing Atahualpa, but thought that he might raise his armies and attack the Spanish. Long story short, Pizarro had Atahuallpa strangled on Aug. 29, 1533; this was the end of the Incan empire.
For the Treasure Aspect of this story, look in the Hidden Caches Section under Lost Inca Gold.