In this time Spain controlled a huge swathe of the Americas and Gaspar grew rich. He found a hillside where he buried 2 pirate chests filled with valuable metals and jewels. (386) 439-3061. 1 Review #9 of 11 Shopping in Flagler Beach. Aged Rum. What year did Jose Gaspar invade Tampa? Sometime later a large sum of gold coins was found near the Spanish Homestead. Since 1904, pirates have invaded the City of Tampa to kick off the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. Fastened inside the box with copper wire is an old wedding photo, 18th century Spanish and Portuguese coins, a 1930s map of the Hillsborough River and a mummified hand wearing a ring. Treasure hunter Stacey Hunt holds an old nail found under the ground on a wetland believed to have lost treasure. There is a new book out "Pirates of Southwest Florida, Fact and Legend" by James F. and Sarah Jane Kaserman that debunks some of the stories of Gasparilla. We lived not far from Gasparella Island and Charlotte Harbour.where the legend supposedly ended. No contemporaneous mention of his existence or achievements has ever been found in Spanish or American ship logs, court documents, newspapers, or other archives, and no tangible items associated with Gaspar have been unearthed in the area where he is said to have operated. The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. According to some versions of the story, Gaspar started as a troubled adolescent who kidnapped a little girl for ransom. These stories and locations presented are based on our research but should be taken with some skepticism. Treasure hunting can be a fun and exciting activity. The poem, maps, comments from other searchers, and other guides to finding the treasure are online and easy to find. It may not display this or other websites correctly. TAMPA, Fla. - Docked in downtown Tampa, the Jose Gasparilla II is one of the most iconic parts of Gasparilla and a year-round reminder of Tampa's biggest party and quirkiest tradition. There are many differing versions about the pirates origins and life, but there is no real historical evidence that he ever existed. He was sentenced to prison and eventually released. As with any treasure hunting adventure, be sure and obtain permission from any applicable parties before your hunt begins. The tale of pirate captain Jos Gaspar who, according to the stories, ravaged the west coast of Spanish Florida for 40 years is the inspiration for a bombastic plundering that continues from 1905. Okay, that was. 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. Jose Gaspar, the legendary buccaneer who inspired Tampas Gasparilla Pirate Festival, as well as fantastic tales of lost treasure, most likely never really existed. Some say it reveals compass bearings around Lettuce Lake. ", The story of Gaspar begins in 1782; the brochure states, "he stood high in the graces of the Spanish Court, so high indeed that he niched the crown jewels. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Sarasota's Michael Gattuso and members of his . In all, he buried 13 casks and chests of treasure in the vicinity of his headquarters. The notorious pirate then committed suicide by wrapping a heavy chain around him and jumping over the side. For whatever reason, burial of chests laden with gold and jewels seems to be the norm, but is there any pirate treasure left? Jos Gaspar, also known by his nickname Gasparilla , is an apocryphal Spanish pirate who terrorized the Gulf of Mexico from his base in southwest Florida during Florida's second Spanish period . Years ago I hunted the fabled Jose Gaspar treasure pirate who, as the story goes, was a pirate on the gulf coast and when attacked by a US Navy vessel, wrapped the anchor chain around him and jumped in while his crew escaped up Peace River with treasure to a property owner named Lady Boggess near an area called Lettuce Lake. Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. Strap yourself in for a wild ride and buy this international bestselling book today! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); If anybody wants to start a treasure seach team, WTF Florida? Oak Island: Legends of Pirates and Treasure, Barbarossa the Pirate: Scourge of the Mediterranean, Flying Dutchman: Phantom Ship, Legend and Sightings, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Gaspar, https://www.wfla.com/news/gasparilla/history-of-gasparilla-jose-gaspar-his-krewe/, https://ymkg.com/the-legend-of-jose-gasparilla/. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. They took the box to a few antique stores. Once it was in print, people kept spreading it as absolute truth. For one, there is no evidence of his pirate empire. Latest Blog . Millions of dollars have been found literally lying in front of people's feet, the world's beaches. Show more. All rights reserved. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by, Jose Gaspar is not the only mythical pirate character that has. When a ship was taken, the people aboard were not immediately murdered but instead offered the option of dying or joining Gasparillas crew. When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. The gold coins were too thin and too old to pass as authentic Spanish treasure. A team of treasure hunters could be on the verge of unearthing the "world's largest treasure hoard," said to be worth over $20 billion. Although Gasparilla was a well-educated, well-dressed pirate and ladies man, things did not always go as planned. All my curanderos, check out the first word on the second line play the song below for inspiration: Please support WTFFlorida.com by making a donation. JavaScript is disabled. Treasure hunter Michael Gattuso paddles a boat toward the dock where part of his crew Stacey Hunt, Erin Melcher and Lauren Gattuso wait for him near Nav-A-Gators Bar and Grill. This state also holds another possible location on the banks of Blackbird Creek. In different accounts, details of his early life, motivations, and activities varied. Upon returning he discovered that he had been labeled a pirate by the British government. If the legend is true, Gasparilla was extremely successful and plundered more than 400 ships. The story of the famed pirate may have been the tall tale of a U.S. naval officer. The Real Treasure Hunters have come a long way from social media in their hunt for the treasure of Jose Gaspar in the Peace River. 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. Gasparilla, if he existed, wrapped himself in chain and jumped overboard with both hands still attached. It does not store any personal data. The treasure on Money Island is said to hidden in the crevice of a large rock that is only visible during low tide. New Castle Island in Delaware is said to house treasure hidden by pirates from Madagascar in 1699. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. The men were executed but Gomez was to be the final survivor of this piratical outfit. Lafitte was wanted by the US government for they deemed his acts as piracy, not privateering. Jose Gaspar Treasure 6 Jewelry Gift Shops Bookstores $ "We went in looking for a lite shark tooth for our son. This is believed to be part of the bribe money given to the owner. While in Florida, Caesar palled up with Jose Gaspar, better known as "Gasparilla.". Friendly down to earth staff. But treasure hunters believe there is truth in his tall tale, and buried treasure is out there. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. His work appears here every third Monday; the views expressed. Though he is a popular figure in Florida folklore, no evidence of his existence appears in writing before the early 20th century. When Gasparilla requested that they accompany him and his crew on a raid, the two young lovers assumed they would be slaughtered. All of it is built around the story of Gaspar. He was said to have been extremely active for many years, attacking merchant ships and evading justice, and in this time he won himself a huge fortune. Retail store with the following - shells, shellcraft, wood carvings, shark teeth and jaws,. The latter two locations being the most logical. He quickly worked his way up the ranks of the Spanish Navy and became an officer. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. He apparently helped repeal a British Invasion on New Orleans. Legends tell how he amassed a huge fortune, and hid an enormous treasure before dying a hero facing the might of the US Navy. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If we find that buried treasure together, we can split the booty among all of our readers and we never have to work again. Afterwards, he sailed his ship, the Floridablanca, to the Gulf Coast and set up a pirate base on what is now known as Gasparilla Island in Southwest Florida. USEPPA ISLAND, Fla. Most, if not all, historians agree the pirate named Jose Gaspar never existed. Leaving Spain at an early age, he sailed to the West Coast of Florida. Do secret rooms conceal unknown treasures? 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. By clicking Accept Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. But treasure hunters believe there is truth in his tall tale, and buried treasure is out there. He wished to return to America to retrieve this treasure after Kidds execution but he never made it back. Spain and Great Britain were adversaries in the complex tangle of European politics . Jose Gaspar Treasure Co | Flagler Beach, FL 32136. The vessel was said to be transporting gold, silver and precious gems collected in the South . Or show us love by sharing articles and leaving great comments. If there is one thing pirates are known for it is treasure. The Legend of Jose Gaspar. Interesting history topics are just a click away. One day Gasparilla prepared to attack a merchantman, but to his surprise, it turned out to be a United States man-of-war. Santa Rosa Island has been sort of a local hotspot for finding bags of gold and silver coins. The author of the pamphlet readily stated that the spectacular tale was a work of fiction with no genuine facts in it. (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. Most confirm that the "Floridablanca" was the name of his pirate ship and the one that he served upon in the Navy. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. 2119 N Oceanshore Blvd. Tampans have embraced Gasparilla for more than a century, whether or not the pirate Jose Gaspar ever came to town It's a huge juxtaposition from the quiet of the Touchton Map Library at the. 2119 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Flagler Beach, FL 32136-2802. In Polish origin the meaning of name Gaspar is : Treasure keeper Spanish Meaning : The name Gaspar is an Spanish baby name. "We go after Juan Gomez because everything, all the treasures and everything we've come through, is tied to him. Gaspar realized in this moment that he had found the treasure he was searching for. However, even from the first we run into different versions of the story. Gaspar caught wind of his coming doom, and escaped via ship to America. 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. What you don't expect to find is treasure. In 1705 the group was killed by French traders who were tired of being robbed by these men. He eventually retired and settled down on Shell Creek near Lettuce Lake in DeSoto County, where he lived for many years. Over and out from somewhere south, RumShopRyan. (3) The Spanish kept meticulous records and there is no mention of Gasparilla in the archives. He remembers their grandfather telling stories when they were children of Ernesto finding the treasure of Tampa Bay pirate legend Jose Gaspar. 2. 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.". JOSE GASPAR: Kern County makes history, and in a good way Dec 18, 2022 The 8-year-old student was curios so she wrote a letter. They then buried the chests in numerous places along the river and its tributaries and swamps. 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. 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. So, a real figure or a tall tale told by Floridians? I love searching for all types of "treasures" with my family. These tunnels converged into a large chamber underground. Lafayette Street, which is now Kennedy Boulevard is also labeled on the map. Many took the deal. Since the 1870s, treasure hunters have been trying unsuccessfully to crack this code you see below: Some say its Spanish. Despite his brutal reputation, Gasparilla was supposed to have a soft side as well. He was well-liked in court, but when he abandoned one lover for another, his spurned lover falsely accused him of stealing the crown jewels. This treasure as well as the tunnels remain lost. wtfflorida.com/information/gaspars-lost-treasure/. Jos Gaspar. So are you juiced up and just caught the gold fever? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Enjoy. Just a salty pirate looking to explore and document the wonders of the Caribbean. Hiding treasure under a well constructed fort is a much more logical thought than those previously mentioned. He relocated to Galveston Island around 1817 where he set up a pirate empire. Tales of pirate treasures are very difficult to substantiate due to many factors. "Possibly keep it forever. He spent nearly 30 years plundering ships in and around the gulf coast. He met and married his wife in New York and had 2 daughters. This story states that the vast treasure was actually siting on the beach in numerous chests waiting to be divided. During his 38 year career as a pirate, Gaspar attacked over four hundred ships in the Gulf waters of Florida, including supposedly the vessel carrying $11.75 million in gold bullion that the United States had paid Napoleon for the Louisiana Purchase. The first written account of Gaspar was written in 1900 when the Charlotte . From seashells to lost treasure, this shop has it all. Debbie gave us a great tip to hide the tooth in the sand and make our son think he found it. "But if you're gonna make up the myth, you know, go big, and so why not make him, you know, all pirates rolled into one and, you know, the baddest of them all," Rodney Kite-Powell, a historian at the Tampa Bay History Center and Director of the Touchstone Map Library said. Treasure hunter Erin Melcher. There is not much known about his adventures in Florida but there is rumors of him hiding a large treasure around Choctawatchee Bay. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". One such account concerns Maria Louise, a lovely Spanish princess, who was returning to Spain after a journey to Mexico with 11 Mexican princesses who were to be educated and married in Spain. I love this place built around 1640 . The story of Juan Gomez is also published in the Library of Congress. 1. 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. This is the spot for all of your seaside decorating needs. 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 . Was there really a pirate named Jose Gaspar? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Lesser and Greater Antilles / Windward and Leeward Islands What is What? Therefore hiding treasure might have seemed like a logical choice. By Geoff Dobson. When he finally realized that it was a warship, it was too late. 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. His flagship was eventually ran aground and he was ultimately killed by English warships off the East Coast of America. We're back to the hotel brochure. There has been a lot of permanent damage to archaeological sites due to the misinformation about buried treasure in prehistoric mounds, and pushing some aspects of this myth may lead to others following suit (leading to arrests and seizures as well as loss of cultural information). Jos Gaspar allegedly lived between 1756 and 1821 and was based on southwest Florida, on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. He successfully captured a few ships during his years long voyage. Cleaning the dreaded attic turned up a darling wedding photo of the Lopezes grandparents, but it also uncovered some interesting but creepy finds. Or they were always togahter. History Gattuso will keep them busy on Useppa and across Florida. 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. This was to prove his doom as the ship he had targeted was no harmless cargo ship but in fact the USS Enterprise, a heavily armed and very dangerous pirate hunter. What he thought was a British cargo ship turned out to be the USS Enterprise, on a mission to end piracy. You are using an out of date browser. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Chasing Treasure: The myth of Gasparilla and the real-life man Juan Gomez. One of the most popular pirates in Florida folklore is Jose' Gaspar. This allegedly infuriated the young lady who devised a plan to essentially frame Gaspar for stealing some jewels. Gilchrist intended to turn the area into a community. The most notorious and successful pirate was Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla. Plundering the high seas and ports alike resulted in vast riches for some of these ruthless criminals. Go find it, unbury it, take tons of pictures, bury it back again, and prove to the world that you found it. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Many ship captains and pirates alike came to Lafitte and could sign articles to become a part of his pirate fleet. From real buried treasure, to massive pearl finds, these . There are also inherent dangers involved with any of these types of adventures. When he was wrongfully arrested, he hijacked a ship and fled, promising to seek revenge on his homeland. Mike Lopez said his sister was not expecting to find a human hand, a treasure map, and gold coins. Accept Read More. 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. The Search For The Real Captain Morgan. We have compiled a list of 11 potential pirate treasure troves left unfound. Many believe it is Edward Teach, but some claim it is Edward Thatch. 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. He confirmed that indeed the Lopezes have found a real human hand, but as for Gasparilla, that was a myth. He would then sell these items to local customers in east Texas. A fisherman at Stafford Point in Connecticut is rumored to have spotted some pirates burying a heavy looking chest at Stratford Point in Connecticut during the late 1600s. Available at: https://ymkg.com/the-legend-of-jose-gasparilla/. Toward the end of his pirate career, Bowlegs was being pursued by an English warship. Florida at this time was in its Second Spanish Period which runs from 1783 to 1821. Upon hearing this news, he unloaded his spoils and set sail for America (where he was later arrested and sent back to England). He is even said to have buried treasure somewhere on the island near where the lighthouse now stands. We also participate in programs from eBay, CJ, Bluehost, Clickbank, ShareASale, and other sites. "You'll hear more of us, you know; we'll do this until we're old and, you know, can't do it anymore.". What we do know is that he is considered a hero to some and a villain to others. Our knowledge of Jean and his brother Pierre begins in the early 1800s. Save. Icelanders and the Huldufolk: A Nation Gripped by Farinis Great Discovery: Is there a Lost City Top Ten Knights of King Arthurs Round Table. The Gasparilla Inn was a hotel on the island. According to Floridian folklore, Gaspar was a fearsome pirate that operated out of a secret base in southwest Florida in the late 18th and early 19th . A treasure said to be worth $30 million. Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. 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. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The legend of Gaspar was first recorded in promotional materials for this Boca Grande Hotel. Supposedly a group of pirates traveled from the gulf inland via river to a spot in Indiana where they hid a bunch of gold coins east of the town of Freedom. A few months ago, Gattuso found a Calusa bone tool that is now part of the Useppa Island museum's collection. Gaspar is presented as dignified, noble in heart and rich and titled in some versions. His piratical career always starts with an injustice and he is seen as a lovable rogue rather than a murderous monster. A few years later, he fell out of favor with the government and turned to a life of piracy. 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 parade that follows is one of the largest in the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to Tampa Bay. Despite its long history, there is no definitive origin of the name. Where is the Body of the Legendary King Gorm of Denmark. The most notorious and successful pirate was Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla. This location is said to be on the southern end at False Live Oak Point. He stated that it was buried beside 2 wind damaged trees and a large rock (one would think that with treasure this valuable one would choose landmarks a little more cautiously, but I guess trees and a rock is all we have to go on here). "But, what we believe is that Juan Gomez had ties to him. Keep me posted! It seems the mythical pirate was a tall tale concocted by a man named Juan Gmez. Josh is on a mission to find Jos Gaspar's hidden treasure. Once he was a few hundred meters away, the British flag came down and the American flag rose up the mast. JavaScript is disabled. Finding a real human hand is probably not what the Lopezes had in mind, but thats exactly what this family from Florida found in their grandparents attic.