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Description
This photo was taken by my son, Todd Smith (a.k.a Adam Lewis-Smith) on Millie Decker's property in Decker Canyon. The photo is taken looking west toward Point Mugu. The far ridge with the dirt road is the same ridge that was traveled by the pirates who came in the 1800s and buried a large strong box. It was buried on the Mesa Ranch (today Leo Carrillo State Park property) where Percy Meek was caretaker at the time. Someone had a treasure map, came up this ridge, and uncovered it (located in the 'Nicholson Flats' area near the small lake.) Percy was in town picking up supplies when they came and uncovered the box and took it away. Percy only saw the hole where the strong box was buried. It had leather straps which were rotted when it was uncovered. No one knows what was in the treasure box. There were two oak limbs placed in the tree as a marker crossed above the box. Percy often thought of digging under that oak tree. What I think happened is: the pirate ship was anchored off below the ridge and brought a small row boat to shore. They then hiked up the ridge to the Nicholson Flats near the lake, buried the treasure under the oak tree, and placed two crossed limbs to mark the spot. The treasure map was used years later in 1927, when it was finally uncovered.
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