A History of the Quartzsite Metal Detecting Club

Today, the QMDC stands as one of the largest local metal detecting & prospecting clubs in the nation! With member numbers that have nearly reached 1000 in recent seasons, we are a very active club with a great Board of Directors and and AWESOME group of faithful volunteers. Our goal is to continually improve and increase the activities that we have to offer and provide a fun atmosphere for anyone interested in metal detecting in the Quartzsite area!

Thanks to Linda Taylor for this article!

The earliest minutes for the Quartzsite Metal Detecting Club are January, 1992. Fred Fish was the president and the meetings were held in the library, they had to bring their own chairs. Harold Banks was elected President but declined after the first month and Fred Fish took over again. There were 37 members at this meeting.

We skip ahead to December, 1993, where 22 members and visitors were present. The treasurers report showed $377 in the Club fund. Dues were $5 and hunt fees were also $5. The hunts were held at Desert Gardens. $75 was spent on this hunt. Future meetings were held at President Irvin Lee’s home.

January, 1993 the treasury had $516. In February, 1993, elections were held and 65 people were expected at the coin hunt. $334 was spent on this hunt, 48 hunters, with the Club making $1. March, 1993, showed $320 in the treasury. There is now 31 members of the Club. The March hunt consisted of 1121 targets and the Club finished the month with $680.

The November, 1993 meeting was held at the Four Corners Showdown Restaurant. Dues were raised to $10 and the Club met twice a month. At the second meeting in November, the minutes show the first discussion of becoming incorporated. The Club also debated about having a National Hunt that would last 7 days. Nothing was resolved. The treasury held $790 at the end of the month.

The December, 1993 coin hunt would consist of 1110 targets and cost $300. A checking account was set up at this time. The Restaurant was charging $10 per meeting. Mid December showed $892 in the treasury. The Club donated $50 to the heliport and discussed having a raffle at meetings.

January, 1994 had a field trip with 50 people attending. The first discussion of buying a mining claim was voted down and the first raffle was held with 5 prizes being awarded. The January hunt was for $277.

In February, 1994, the treasury held $1258. It was determined that the hunt field was too small for the 64 entrants in January. A corporation committee was formed. Jimmy Sierra Normandy was present to give a talk about detecting in England.

March, 1994 shows $1337 in the bank. There are problems with people not running for office, and thoughts that the Club may not survive. The March hunt will consist of 1740 targets and cost $322.

December, 1994 has the first by-laws presented and approved. The treasurer gave a report that $1285 was in the bank and that dues to FMDAC had not yet been paid. The December hunt had 41 hunters. Once again, the Club could not get volunteers for officer positions. In January 1995, new blood stepped up and a complete board was elected. The January hunt will have 1887 targets and cost $307. February had 46 members and $1566 in the bank. Meetings were being held at the Library again, but it was getting too small. The first 50/50 raffle was held.

Officers & Board of Directors

By-Laws of The Quartzsite Metal Detecting Club

(as revised and accepted March 2024)

Outline of QMDC as quoted in a local attraction newspaper.