2 chests are also rumored to be buried on Clarkes Island on the Connecticut River. Jose Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia: Politician: Capricon: 06 January 1766 AD . Do secret rooms conceal unknown treasures? The San Jose, a Spanish treasure ship, was attacked and sunk by a British warship in June 1708. The rest of the treasure remains hidden, waiting to be found. Before we get to the treasure hunt, let's touch on the historical background of Jose Gaspar and how a now infamous fictitious pirate became a Tampa legend. (4) The person who gets most of the credit for the Gasparilla myth is John Gomez who drowned around 1900 at the age of 122. He then sailed back across the world, landing on what we now know as our home of Tampa Bay. He continued the diving operation, but while they were working, his wife came down with a fever and died. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. May 4, 1904Gasparilla Pirate Festival / First event date. A Florida family may have discovered some unusual treasure belonging to legendary pirate Jose "Gasparilla" Gaspar. But, now? These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. This happened in the year 1782. Josh Gates sets sail for Florida chasing the long-lost treasure of bloodthirsty pirate Jose Gaspar. Latest Blog . So that's why we believe that it was Juan Gomez. Gilchrist intended to turn the area into a community. With the help of the Prime Minster she was able to convincingly spread this rumor leading to Gaspars impending arrest by the king. Despite its long history, there is no definitive origin of the name. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Deleware holds one more possibility around Woodland Beach. Available at: https://www.wfla.com/news/gasparilla/history-of-gasparilla-jose-gaspar-his-krewe/, ymkg, 2022. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A unique legend of pirate treasure in Indiana is intriguing. Jos Gaspar. To learn more, visit our. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Our Florida pirate "Jose Gaspar enters history's scene in Spain where he was born in the year 1756 and started adult life with a career in the Spanish Navy, serving aboard the warship Floridablanca. It's located in Florida, United States.A real, albeit, small treasure chest on a real small island. JavaScript is disabled. Many say he buried treasure here during this time. And indeed there are serious problems with the stories of Gasparilla. The parade that follows is one of the largest in the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to Tampa Bay. Groups gather in St. Petersburg park to shed light on local violence, Tampas St. Josephs Childrens Hospital holds prom for pediatric patients, Photos: Rays back at Trop in spring game against Twins, Photos: Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic, Photos: New York's Naked Cowboy makes brief appearance in Tampa, Photos: Opening day for the Florida Strawberry Festival, Photos: IndyCar Series takes over streets of St. Petersburg, Hundreds of USF students join statewide walkout to protest DeSantis education policies, Photos: Lightning return home to take on Ducks, Photo Gallery: Family mourns Josiah Pinner during a candlelight vigil. The most notorious and successful pirate was Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla. The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is a gripping, heart-pounding action adventure that's akin to a modern-day Indiana Jones story. (2) Most of the islands around Charlotte Harbor were named by the Cuban Spanish fishermen that lived there since the 1600's. Florida at this time was in its Second Spanish Period which runs from 1783 to 1821. Named for legendary pirate, Jose Gaspar, who terrorized the coastal waters of West Florida during the 18th and early 19th centuries, Tampa Bay's destination-wide annual Gasparilla celebration kicks off each January with a full schedule of exciting pirate-themed events. There are a few theories as to the location of a hidden treasure by Lafitte in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. Stingy Jack and the History of the Jack-o-Lantern, The Varangians: Viking Conquerors turned Byzantium Honor Guard, The Secret Necropolis of Ancient Varna and the First Goldsmiths. The most notorious and successful pirate was Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla. He successfully captured a few ships during his years long voyage. And that's what we've been chasing. It's light on history and heavy on action, suspense, and intrigue. "Maybe my great-grandparents were pirates," Mike Lopez said. This is extremely suspect as this is the same location rumored to hide the treasure of Billy Bowlegs Rogers. link to A Beginners Guide to Magnet Fishing: 15 Sure Fire Tips. Toward the end of his pirate career, Bowlegs was being pursued by an English warship. Another report states that he hid several chests in a small river somewhere in the vicinity of the Bay. "Maria came across it and once she told me she found a hand in a box. Caesar was forced to push his pirate pack north to the Gulf of Mexico. Other than news articles, the first story ever published in print about the Story of Gasparilla was commissioned by the Charlotte Harbor & Northern Railroad. Who was this figure, and what was he supposed to have done? "So, it's interesting how Tampa, in a sense, stole; we were pirates ourselves. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. These men witnessed the battle and when the pirate ship began to sink, they loaded this vast treasure onto small boats and escaped unnoticed to a place called Spanish Homestead around the Peace River. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. These stories really get your imagination scrambling about finding buried riches yourself. Once he was a few hundred meters away, the British flag came down and the American flag rose up the mast. What date is Gasparilla 2021? Treasure hunter Stacey Hunt holds an old nail found under the ground on a wetland believed to have lost treasure. The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. It was a simple wooden box, but inside were fascinating (and macabre) clues to a family mystery. So, a real figure or a tall tale told by Floridians? "I'm considering it. But the idea of a pirate named Gasparilla (or some variant) goes way back. As the story goes, the pirate Jose Gaspar was hunting for the USS Enterprise in 1821; onboard was Juan Gmez, the man who lived to tell the tale. His death seems to come straight from Hollywood. Some say it reveals compass bearings around Lettuce Lake. He was most likely a sailor for the English Navy who became unemployed and turned to a life of piracy. His theft discovered, he deserted his wife and children, gathered together a nice lot of cut-throats, stole the prize vessel of the Spanish fleet, and escaped. Source of the stories which became inspiration for the legend of Jose Gaspar. However, he spotted a British merchant ship and could not resist one final prize. He finally returned with his wife to find all but a handful of his crew had died. Or they were always togahter. Though that treasure has never been discovered, the story of the swashbuckling Gaspar was unearthed and his memory revived in 1904 when Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla was formed and adopted the pirate as patron rogue of their city . . So, we stole Jose Gaspar. Available at: https://ymkg.com/the-legend-of-jose-gasparilla/. The final and perhaps most intriguing possibility is around the Spanish Fort San Carlos in Pensacola. There are a few pirates who may have hidden treasure at this spot, including Billy. Did Grandpa find pirate treasure? Spain and Great Britain were adversaries in the complex tangle of European politics . He would even compensate for injuries if they were sustained while obtaining cargo from another ship. The Gasparilla Inn was a hotel on the island. However there are several problems with the story which have led many to question whether Gasparilla as he was known was a real historical figure. Also check state and local regulations before you begin any activities such as digging or metal detecting. First of all there was a Spanish Catholic missionary named Gasparillo that had a mission on the island that bears his name. Legends tell how he amassed a huge fortune, and hid an enormous treasure before dying a hero facing the might of the US Navy. He weighed in on the treasure map as well and believes it was a blueprint for the area during the 1920s and 1930s, but nothing more. 5 Popular Mai Tai Recipes and How To Make Them, Mango Tango Cocktail Recipe Boat Drinks, Taste the New St. John Brewers Love City Hard Seltzer, A Day With Stormy Pirates Charters US Virgin Islands, An Island Interview With Caribbean Adventure Author, John H. Cunningham, Love Pets and a Free Place To Stay? Jose Lopez's sister, Maria, was cleaning out the attic of a home owned by her great-grandparents, Eve and Ernesto Lopez, in Tampa's historic Ybor City area, when she stumbled upon the box, WFLA-TV reports. His theft discovered, he deserted his wife and children, gathered together a nice lot of cut-throats, stole the prize vessel of the Spanish Fleet, and escaped. He is even said to have buried treasure somewhere on the island near where the lighthouse now stands. Decipher the code, and you might find some of Gaspars lost treasure but as fast as Florida changes, dont be surprised if you find a new shopping mall sitting square on top of it. Jos Gaspar. This location is said to be on the southern end at False Live Oak Point. ", "Jose Gaspar, from my understanding, was a name that was made up by Ye Mystic Krewe, which they tied to Gasparilla, which was tied to the railroad pamphlet that you're talking about, which that is not real. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Jose Gaspar Treasure 6 Jewelry Gift Shops Bookstores $ "We went in looking for a lite shark tooth for our son. was reading about Jose Gaspar aka Gasparilla Pirate and one story tells of his friend Roderigo Lopez wanting to leave the Pirate life and Gaspar helped him leave, so it seems Maria Lopez great great grandfather may have been Roderigo. But Rodney Kite-Powell, a Tampa-Bay curator, doesnt believe that the legendary figure was even real. The story states that Rogers discovered these lost tunnels and used them to store his treasure. Ill post one a week Treasure Tuesdaysthis that lame? Jose Gaspar Treasure 2119 N Ocean Shore Blvd Flagler Beach FL 32136 (386) 439-3061 Claim this business (386) 439-3061 Website More Directions Advertisement Photos See More Hours Wed: 11am - 5pm Thu: 11am - 5pm Fri: 11am - 5pm Sat: 11am - 5pm Sun: 12pm - 5pm Website Take me there Jewelers Nice Shell Shop. Leaving Spain at an early age, he sailed to the West Coast of Florida. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Gaspar, Sachs, S, 2022. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. "We do have some treasure maps, and we're working on them," Gattuso said. If marriage was selected, there would be a ceremony, and the marriage promise would be strictly enforced. The latter two locations being the most logical. He quickly worked his way up the ranks of the Spanish Navy and became an officer. Just like most pirates, there is little known about his early life. Inside, bound to the box by copper wire, she found a dessicated hand wearing a ring with the word "Gaspar" on . He's rumored to have had a secret base in Charlotte Harbor and would sail back and forth to Spain as well as roam around the Gulf of Mexico until his death in 1821, at the hands of the U.S. Navy. Instead, he pursued a merchant ship and insisted that it convey Batista and Ann Jeffries to England and that its captain marry them on board after they were out of sight of his ship, the Jose Gasparilla II. "They were the ones that profited from the story to attract visitors to their new train stop and hotel (Gasparilla Inn)," Crystal Diff, Executive Director of the Boca Grande Historical Society and History Center, wrote in an email. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Leaving Spain at an early age, he sailed to the West Coast of Florida. Despite his brutal reputation, Gasparilla was supposed to have a soft side as well. Gattuso leads a a small group called the The Treasure Hunters who spend their weekends hiking the wilderness near the Peace River in search of lost treasure believed to have been left behind by Jose Gaspar. At The Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. visitors and locals can find treasures of all kinds. He told where the body would be found and a sketch was prepared under his direction, and in recent years in the exact location as described, the skeleton of a beheaded woman was found.". They then buried the chests in numerous places along the river and its tributaries and swamps. Tales of love and marriage, an aristocratic captain with nobility in his crew, a handsome and debonair adventurer: all these stories seem too good to be true. A few months ago, Gattuso found a Calusa bone tool that is now part of the Useppa Island museum's collection. Upon hearing this news, he unloaded his spoils and set sail for America (where he was later arrested and sent back to England). When a ship was taken, the people aboard were not immediately murdered but instead offered the option of dying or joining Gasparillas crew. This activity is a great way to enjoy some peaceful quite time outdoors or can be a unique experience for 8 Super Fun Family Treasure Hunt Ideas: With Real Treasure. During the final combat, the majority of Gasparillas crew was killed, but there were 12 survivors 11 men and a cabin boy called Juan Gomez. So are you juiced up and just caught the gold fever? Gasparilla, if he existed, wrapped himself in chain and jumped overboard with both hands still attached. . Email him at elcompa29@gmail.com. I'm Clint, the guy behind Treasureunknown. . Though details about his early life, motivations, and piratical exploits differ in various tellings, they agree that the 'Last of the Buccaneers" was a remarkably active pirate who amassed a huge . But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. It's part of our family now.". Lafayette Street, which is now Kennedy Boulevard is also labeled on the map. In 1705 the group was killed by French traders who were tired of being robbed by these men. Supposedly this fort had hidden tunnels leading under the fort. Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. 1756 - 1821), was a purported Spanish pirate, the "last of the Buccaneer s," who is claimed to have raided the west coast of Florida during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Galleon of Gold. wtfflorida.com/information/gaspars-lost-treasure/. Tales of pirate treasures are very difficult to substantiate due to many factors. One of the most popular pirates in Florida folklore is Jose' Gaspar. History Gattuso will keep them busy on Useppa and across Florida. This action helped turn opinion of Lafitte from villain to hero. You must log in or register to reply here. The legend of Gaspar was first recorded in promotional materials for this Boca Grande Hotel. Read another story from us:Norways Saint Olaf Uncovered: Archaeologists Believe They have Discovered the Shrine of the Lost Viking King. His methods were black and bloody, and he stands out among all the pirates who used Florida to bury their wealth. Youll read about many that are hidden and a few that were found, so it can happen. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by, Jose Gaspar is not the only mythical pirate character that has. Was there really a pirate named Jose Gaspar? Tyrons Landing located between the towns of Wethersfield and Naubuc. My grandfather had a book on all these when I was younger. This allegedly infuriated the young lady who devised a plan to essentially frame Gaspar for stealing some jewels. According to other versions of the narrative, Gaspar was a nobleman who rose through the ranks of the Spanish Royal Navy and became a councilor to King Charles III of Spain. With his crew of cut-throat mercenaries, the last of the buccaneers terrorized shipping in the Gulf of Mexico for years, striking from his secret Florida base. A Net Inceptions project. Tampa family finds pirate treasure in grandpa's attic Box found in Tampa attic has coins, a map, a hand and a mystery - WFLA News Channel 8 Share or comment on this article: Tampa family finds. All of it is built around the story of Gaspar. They took the box to a few antique stores around Tampa and the contents were described as "gruesome and authentic.". Canceled2021 Gasparilla Pirate Festival / Date There are numerous legends and tales of buried treasure on this island. JavaScript is disabled. Keep me posted! Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Company are said to have distributed the brochures. In his early pirate career, he teamed up with a few other pirates and eventually took over a ship named The Revenge. Upon returning he discovered that he had been labeled a pirate by the British government. What year did Jose Gaspar invade Tampa? The gold coins were too thin and too old to pass as authentic Spanish treasure. Who has not heard the rumor which has been going on in St. Augustine that Six Flags is coming to St. Johns County and will be constructed off of State Road 206? The city of Tampa hosts a Gasparilla Day each year. "But, what we believe is that Juan Gomez had ties to him. Leading a group of escaped convicts, Gaspar with his stolen ship established a home base in 1783 in the area of Charlotte Harbor, north of the present day Fort Myers on an Island he named "Gasparilla." He is said to have also taken that name for himself as it means "Gaspar the outlaw." Crystal and I greatly appreciate any support! Always being on the run from mercenaries, armies, navies, and any and all other law enforcement agencies of the day, often resulted in the necessity to hide their riches. The rest of the treasure remains hidden, waiting to be found. This endeavor lasted only about 5 years when the us army came to visit Lafitte, asking him to leave. It seems the mythical pirate was a tall tale concocted by a man named Juan Gmez. Born in 1756 in Spain, Gaspar served in the Spanish Navy until a mutiny in 1783. He renamed this ship Queen Anns Revenger which gave him one of the largest fleets on the East coast of America and Caribbean. Josh joins marine archaeologists and treasure hunters working to crack the mysteries of the pirate's life so they can find the riches he left behind. (386) 439-3061. He vowed revenge on those who had framed him and was forced to turn to a life of piracy. Here are some Metal Detectors for you to start your quest. I love this place built around 1640 . "You'll hear more of us, you know; we'll do this until we're old and, you know, can't do it anymore.". The brochure relied heavily on the stories told by John Gomez. Pirate Photo byScott UmstattdonUnsplash, Lafitte Photo By Anonymous Rosenberg Library, Galveston, Texas, Public Domain, Skully Photo byLuke SouthernonUnsplash. Though he is a popular figure in Florida folklore, no evidence of his existence appears in writing before the early 20th century. Therefore hiding treasure might have seemed like a logical choice. 2. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. During this time a woman of the royal family, rumored to be the kings daughter-in-law sought the attention of this young naval officer. Treasure hunter Erin Melcher drives his boat as Michael Gattuso navigates directions to a wetland believed to have lost treasure on the Peace River in Arcadia on Sunday, January 13, 2019. 128 were here. I love searching for all types of "treasures" with my family. Gasparilla fell in love with Jeffries while on land, but she informed him that she had fallen in love with one of his crew, Batista Fuentes, a handsome and well-educated man from a famous family. The author of the pamphlet readily stated that the spectacular tale was a work of fiction with no genuine facts in it. According to the sources we studied, Gaspar was probably born in Spain in 1756. Most, if not all, historians agree the pirate named Jose Gaspar never existed. This hoard was allegedly buried by a group of pirates in the early 1800s. Shopping, Gift & Specialty Shops. Blackbeard captured an estimated 40 different ships and vessels in a little less than 2 years off the east coast of America and across the Caribbean. Enjoy. Just . The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. Millions of dollars have been found literally lying in front of people's feet, the world's beaches. Gaspar apparently did not share this attraction and instead gave his attention to other women of the court. Although Gasparilla was a well-educated, well-dressed pirate and ladies man, things did not always go as planned. "And it was from that little nugget of information that came from the Charlotte Harbor railroad about a pirate named Gaspar that the whole legend of Gasparilla and Jose Gaspar came about, but it was Ye Mystic Krewe that fleshed it out. Gaspar was a rebel from an aristocratic upbringing. ", Pirate treasure in grandpa's attic includes human hand. Indian River Shores, Florida A trove of Spanish coins dating back to a 1715 shipwreck during a storm have been found along a beach in Florida. RECOMMENDED: The legend of Jose Gaspar and the history of Gasparilla. In it, she introduced herself and wrote that her parents were. If we find that buried treasure together, we can split the booty among all of our readers and we never have to work again. 2009-2021 Historic Mysteries. Gasparilla seized their ship, as well as their 11 dowries, but fell madly in love with the Spanish princess. The pirate, whose full name is Jos Gaspar, is a legend from the 18th and 19th century. Some historians say Caesar has between two-and-six million dollars of treasure stashed on Pine Island. "The reason I believe in Gasparilla is because I believe in Juan Gomez," Mike Gattuso, a member of The Real Treasure Hunters, told Paluska. Over and out from somewhere south, RumShopRyan. The map is estimated to be from the 1930s and shows the Tampa area. As with any treasure hunting adventure, be sure and obtain permission from any applicable parties before your hunt begins. In the 1690s a war broke out between England and France. All had been going along fine for Gasparilla until the year 1822. This particular lost treasure consists of a bunch of silver coins, ingots and even pieces of jewelry. So it would seem that Gasparilla is a fiction, no more real a figure than Mickey Mouse. The pirate is one of the most notorious in the history of pirates. A band of pirates in Wisconsin operated out of a cave on Hermit island. Oak Island the Strange, the Bizarre, and Maybe the "Truth! The legend states that Gaspar terrorized the western coastal waters of Florida in the late 18th to early 19th century. Jose Gaspar has come in handy for parades and celebrations. But treasure hunters believe there is truth in his tall tale, and buried treasure is out there. A couple of his rancher buddies found him and buried him. Gaspar realized in this moment that he had found the treasure he was searching for. He claimed to be one of the few crew members to escape a fateful attack by American pirate hunting schooner USS Enterprise in 1821. But Rodney Kite-Powell, a Tampa-Bay curator, doesn't believe that the legendary figure was even real. Buumi . A treasure said to be worth $30 million. $ 6 reviews. A Tampa, Florida family going through their grandparent's attic made an interesting discovery: a treasure map, some coins, and an old human hand! Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. Treasure hunter Erin Melcher. 2119 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Flagler Beach, FL 32136-2802. The battle raged and the story goes that as Jose Gaspar realized the inevitable, he stood on the bow of the ship and stated something like Gaspar dies by his own hands. This does not stop the legend of Gasparilla from living on in the Florida folklore; the story of his life is even retold in a hotel brochure at the site where supposedly his treasure was buried, The Huffington Post reported.
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