Old pantents. Still active or reclaimed by the feds?

[impfected]

While planning some deep woods prospecting with the ol' Geocommunicator maps, I have come across some old patented placer properties back in a canyon that doesn't have road access. If the claim/property has been abandoned for say 50 years, what are the chances that the land is still under patent? Does the government take back old patents that have been forgotten? Can they be re-opened?

Thanks,
Al in Washington

[Gold Seeker]

Al,

I'm not sure what would become of an "abandoned" property if that is the fact, but I do know that a "patent" makes the claim "private property" and the person that got the claim "patented" owned the property outright, I would guess if the owner didn't pay the taxes the property could be "seized" for back taxes, or it was inherited by descendants, there should be a record of the status of the property with the county it is in .

I'm sure that someone that knows more about this will comment.


Skip

[Hoser John]

Property "ESCHEATS" back to the state when no will is found and no heirs are presented and they are then state lands. There may be different laws in different states but fed law rules the roost---unless your talking dredging or anything you have that the casino folks wants--John

[Smithsgold]

Property "ESCHEATS" back to the state when no will is found and no heirs are presented and they are then state lands. There may be different laws in different states but fed law rules the roost---unless your talking dredging or anything you have that the casino folks wants--John

Thats for sure !!!!!