Deleware holds one more possibility around Woodland Beach. However, there is another story, that has some validity, of what happened to his treasure. 2 chests are also rumored to be buried on Clarkes Island on the Connecticut River. Tyrons Landing located between the towns of Wethersfield and Naubuc. Many ship captains and pirates alike came to Lafitte and could sign articles to become a part of his pirate fleet. Who was this figure, and what was he supposed to have done? My grandfather had a book on all these when I was younger. Do you think there's buried treasure out there? The allures of Jose Gaspar's mythical treasure and Tampa's giant pirate parade have pulled strongly on producers of reality television lately. 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). Most of the suspected locations are in and around the state of Florida. For one, there is no evidence of his pirate empire. These stories and locations presented are based on our research but should be taken with some skepticism. Rumors take on a life of their own and ultimately cause hurt or expense. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. 2119 N Oceanshore Blvd. It appears Philip Gosse got the story from Bradlee's book. The choice of the navy career wasn't courage and thirst for adventure on the part of Jose but an expediency of the moment. The notorious pirate then committed suicide by wrapping a heavy chain around him and jumping over the side. We're back to the hotel brochure. The latter two locations being the most logical. As promised here is the start of your Pirate Treasure stories. He confirmed that indeed the Lopezes have found a real human hand, but as for Gasparilla, that was a myth. So, a real figure or a tall tale told by Floridians? All had been going along fine for Gasparilla until the year 1822. The story of the famed pirate may have been the tall tale of a U.S. naval officer. All of it is built around the story of Gaspar. 1 Review #9 of 11 Shopping in Flagler Beach. Jos Gaspar, also known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. 1756 - 1821), is an apocryphal Spanish pirate who terrorized the Gulf of Mexico from his base in southwest Florida during Florida's second Spanish period (1783 to 1821). These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Lesser and Greater Antilles / Windward and Leeward Islands What is What? History of Gasparilla: Jos Gaspar & his krewe. Legends tell how he amassed a huge fortune, and hid an enormous treasure before dying a hero facing the might of the US Navy. According to the sources we studied, Gaspar was probably born in Spain in 1756. The pirate, whose full name is Jos Gaspar, is a legend from the 18th and 19th century. When he was wrongfully arrested, he hijacked a ship and fled, promising to seek revenge on his homeland. Enjoy. We lived not far from Gasparella Island and Charlotte Harbour.where the legend supposedly ended. When a ship was taken, the people aboard were not immediately murdered but instead offered the option of dying or joining Gasparillas crew. There are also inherent dangers involved with any of these types of adventures. Once it was in print, people kept spreading it as absolute truth. Interesting history topics are just a click away. Find the treasure, report it, and go to jail for committing a 3rd Degree Felony. 3. Bald Point is another hotspot but for rumors of pirate treasure. From a four-mile long parade of pirates and period memorabilia on display, to specialty packages and a waterfront half . Later that fall, he captured a large French slave ship bound for some sugar plantations. There are multiple stories about his life that vary greatly depending upon the source of the information, leading some to conclude that he was not a real person. Some more information on the cruise of the USS, I did not find a reference to Gaspar in Gardner Allen's, I was always Told Jose Gaspar, was also known as Juan Gomez. Most confirm that the "Floridablanca" was the name of his pirate ship and the one that he served upon in the Navy. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Jos Gaspar. He would then sell these items to local customers in east Texas. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. But they know long-lost treasures and artifacts are out there. 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. It is said that he and his brother buried all of his money on the islands in and around Charlotte Harbor. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Much of his treasure was carried to him up the Peace River. Jose Gaspar, the legendary buccaneer who inspired Tampa's Gasparilla Pirate Festival, as well as fantastic tales of lost treasure, most likely never really existed. And indeed there are serious problems with the stories of Gasparilla. Old Hand Found In Florida Attic With Coins And Treasure Map. May 4, 1904Gasparilla Pirate Festival / First event date. 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? 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. "I'm considering it. 1. What he thought was a British cargo ship turned out to be the USS Enterprise, on a mission to end piracy. Where is the Body of the Legendary King Gorm of Denmark. Photos show a centuries-old shipwreck found off Colombia's coast carrying lost treasure worth billions of dollars, including gold coins and emeralds. Or at least thats what Florida folklore would have you believe. I was totally blown away," said Lopez. Supposedly this fort had hidden tunnels leading under the fort. The pirate is one of the most notorious in the history of pirates. He finally returned with his wife to find all but a handful of his crew had died. 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. 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 . And to this day, Jose Gaspar returns on board his pirate ship every year to capture the city.". Jos Gaspar. Retail store with the following - shells, shellcraft, wood carvings, shark teeth and jaws,. Michael Gattuso and his crew got a cable debut Wednesday night in an episode of Discovery Channel's show "Expedition Unknown." Here Lafitte had a very fair treasure distribution policy that everyone seemed to like. "Possibly keep it forever. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The team searched the waters at low tide for a canon buried in the sand. 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. Another report states that he hid several chests in a small river somewhere in the vicinity of the Bay. Rumor has it, that the stolen goods are still hidden somewhere on the island. Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. The treasure: Slave-turned-pirate Henri Caesar stole a ship in Haiti to seek his fortune on the Spanish Main and Florida waters. The gold coins were too thin and too old to pass as authentic Spanish treasure. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. . Flagler Beach, FL 32136. 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. They will be focused on the Florida coastline, right in my back yard. P.S. These tunnels converged into a large chamber underground. The theme and focal point of Gasparilla is a friendly "invasion" by mythical pirate Jos Gaspar and his crew, who are portrayed by members of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla (YMKG), an organization created for this purpose in 1904. 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. 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. Or show us love by sharing articles and leaving great comments. 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. The parade that follows is one of the largest in the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to Tampa Bay. He did what all retired people do in Florida he fell ill one day and died. Gasparilla not only granted Lopez permission but also bestowed his blessing on his long-time friend, providing a ship and several men to accompany him back to Spain. USEPPA ISLAND, Fla. Most, if not all, historians agree the pirate named Jose Gaspar never existed. The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is a gripping, heart-pounding action adventure that's akin to a modern-day Indiana Jones story. Legend has it that in the late 1700s, a pirate named Jose Gaspar kidnapped the Spanish princess Joseffa de Mayorga. Do secret rooms conceal unknown treasures? His ship was scuttled in the battle sending the valuables to the bottom of the ocean. It does not store any personal data. The story of Juan Gomez is also published in the Library of Congress. And that's what we've been chasing. Subsequent retellings of the Gaspar tale are based on this imaginative account, including the unintentional inclusion of Jos Gaspar in a 1923 book on genuine pirates, which has created ongoing debate regarding his historical veracity. In fact, we dont even know for certain his real name. The men were executed but Gomez was to be the final survivor of this piratical outfit. | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA Notice, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Lafayette Street, which is now Kennedy Boulevard is also labeled on the map. JavaScript is disabled. From seashells to lost treasure, this shop has it all. Spain and Great Britain were adversaries in the complex tangle of European politics . Legend has it that Gasparilla spotted a huge ship sailing in the distance. RECOMMENDED: The legend of Jose Gaspar and the history of Gasparilla. The family thinks the hand belongs to famous Tampa Bay pirate Jose Gaspar. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Gaspar, Sachs, S, 2022. Top Image: Real pirate or later fiction? According to the story, Gaspar had underestimated the USS Enterprise as an easy target. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Whether he was his cabin boy, like it states in the story, or maybe he might have been Gasparilla himself because of all the treasure maps that we have found. This treasure as well as the tunnels remain lost. 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. Some say it reveals compass bearings around Lettuce Lake. Gilchrist intended to turn the area into a community. (5) The first written version of Gasparilla appeared in an advertising brochure of the Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Co. printed in 1900. His sister found a box in their grandfather's attic in Tampa, Fla., a few weeks ago while doing some spring cleaning. In the late 1600s a Scottish sailor named William Kidd came to America. Accept Read More. Many believe it is Edward Teach, but some claim it is Edward Thatch. The Gasparilla Inn was a hotel on the island. One day Gasparilla prepared to attack a merchantman, but to his surprise, it turned out to be a United States man-of-war. He has written for 8 years in a variety of fields including history, health and politics. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Charlotte Harbor is an ideal spot to go treasure hunting. When his attempts to capture Joseffa's heart were met with contempt, Gaspar used Useppa Island to imprison the proud princess, and the isle came to be known as "Joseffa's Island." Barron G. Collier They took the box to a few antique stores around Tampa and the contents were described as "gruesome and authentic.". Aged Rum. But the idea of a pirate named Gasparilla (or some variant) goes way back. The ship contained $1,000,000 in assorted treasure, and should be there today. He spoke to local TV news network WFLA about the discovery, and the story kept getting stranger. So, we stole Jose Gaspar. When he was captured and offered the option of going to prison or joining the navy, he chose the latter, serving with distinction for several years before organizing a mutiny against a dictatorial captain and fleeing to Florida with a stolen ship. Mysterious box containing a map, coins and a mummified hand found in Tampa Bay attic. You must log in or register to reply here. 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). When Jose Gaspar died, he supposedly left an untold fortune in buried treasure somewhere along the Florida coast. So are you juiced up and just caught the gold fever? If marriage was selected, there would be a ceremony, and the marriage promise would be strictly enforced. 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. Jose Gaspar (GC3FZAF) was created by seabreezedrive on 4/1/2012. However, like Billy Bowlegs, Jose Gaspar the lack of historical evidence suggests he never existed.21 Although most Tampa residents and several books claim Jose Gaspar was authentic, so far no documentation has proven he was real.22 The Gasparilla Pirate Festival started in 1904, and since it started a full fifty years before the Billy Bowlegs . (3) The Spanish kept meticulous records and there is no mention of Gasparilla in the archives. 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." Florida at this time was in its Second Spanish Period which runs from 1783 to 1821. Youll read about many that are hidden and a few that were found, so it can happen. (386) 439-3061. He enjoyed telling stories about his adventures on the high seas and a large amount of Gasparillas treasure that was never discovered. This endeavor lasted only about 5 years when the us army came to visit Lafitte, asking him to leave. A Beginners Guide to Magnet Fishing: 15 Sure Fire Tips. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Seeing the writing on the wall, he decided to scuttle his own ship and hide with his crew in the forrest. Did Grandpa find pirate treasure? After that, they searched his cabin and found a jar of gold coins and a small sheet of copper engraved with a code indicating the location of buried treasure. "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. The Story of Gasparilla by ABC Action News on Scribd. The parade that follows is one of the largest in the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to Tampa Bay. His piratical career always starts with an injustice and he is seen as a lovable rogue rather than a murderous monster. Gaspar's legend is one of a murderous, bloodthirsty swashbuckler who stole money from Spain, stole a ship, kidnapped a Spanish Princess, and left a trail of death and gold throughout the high seas. 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. Texas is also a logical location for this pirate to bury treasure. In 1705 the group was killed by French traders who were tired of being robbed by these men. "It's a bunch of heartbreak with little reward and a lot of imagination," said treasure hunter Erin Melcher. Who created the man who is now a legend? New details have emerged about the San Jose, a Spanish galleon sunk by British ships 300 years ago. 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. Though he is a popular figure in Florida folklore, no evidence of his existence appears in writing before the early 20th century. Evidently, though, the treasure is not. When it comes to the legend of Jose Gaspar, Diff told us to "be cautious that the information you present as there are lots of versions of this story and everyone's version is 'true.' Ye be walkin the plank if ye so think. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. He eventually retired and settled down on Shell Creek near Lettuce Lake in DeSoto County, where he lived for many years. Is this the hand and treasure of Jose Gaspar? However, perhaps the most famous story of Gaspar concerns his death. The team used metal detectors and shovels but didn't find anything. He was most likely a sailor for the English Navy who became unemployed and turned to a life of piracy. Having spent some time here, Blackbeard built a fort near a swamp west of Charleston. A treasure said to be worth $30 million. The team, known as the "Temple Twelve," have been . Thread starter seeker41; Start date Apr 29, 2015 Apr 29, 2015 http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/f2/ferret-iii.htm, Florida's Pirate Jose Gaspar and his Treasure Story. He soon picked a good spot in Charlotte Harbor, and began to build his pirate kingdom. Go find it, unbury it, take tons of pictures, bury it back again, and prove to the world that you found it. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Gasparilla seized her ship, and the hostages were brought to his hideout on Gasparilla Island. To add more to the story, the treasure map contained the name of the infamous mythical pirate Gaspar. Hiding treasure under a well constructed fort is a much more logical thought than those previously mentioned. "Maybe my great-grandparents were pirates," Mike Lopez said. The first written account of Gaspar was written in 1900 when the Charlotte . Marias brother Mike believes the couple in the photo may be their great grandparents, Eve and Ernesto Lopez. According to some versions of the story, Gaspar started as a troubled adolescent who kidnapped a little girl for ransom. What you don't expect to find is treasure. A Tampa, Florida family going through their grandparent's attic made an interesting discovery: a treasure map, some coins, and an old human hand! Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. . If we find that buried treasure together, we can split the booty among all of our readers and we never have to work again. He continued the diving operation, but while they were working, his wife came down with a fever and died. Not much is known of his early life before his pirating career. These recommended links below will help you save money and book your trip: We use all the companies listed here or on the resource page. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. So where did Blackbeard hide his treasures? Born in 1756 in Spain, Gaspar served in the Spanish Navy until a mutiny in 1783. 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. If the legend is true, Gasparilla was extremely successful and plundered more than 400 ships. "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. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. 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. 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. The leaflet establishes Gaspars legend, claiming that he chose Gasparilla Island as the best of the islands in Charlotte Harbor to establish his base. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. However, he spotted a British merchant ship and could not resist one final prize. Jean Lafitte. The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. Maybe you can find one and claim the fame and wealth that will ultimilty accompany your successful efforts. Sometime later a large sum of gold coins was found near the Spanish Homestead. Definitely try, Find our recommended Caribbean hotels, restaurants, charters, & tours. Many of the stories about Gasparilla were attributed to Juan Gomez. There are a few pirates who may have hidden treasure at this spot, including Billy. Wikipedia, 2022. There are a few theories as to the location of a hidden treasure by Lafitte in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. The brochure relied heavily on the stories told by John Gomez. The experts dont believe that their find is a real treasure map or that the legend of Gaspar is anything more than children story or a folk tale that adds to the culture of the area. This is the spot for all of your seaside decorating needs. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. Is this your business? What date is Gasparilla 2021? He would even compensate for injuries if they were sustained while obtaining cargo from another ship. Galleon of Gold. 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 Gaspar commandeered the 'Floridablanca', the ship upon which he was serving, to commence his life of piracy. Treasure hunter Todd Stager holds a machete on a wetland where him and a small group of treasure hunters believe lies lost treasure on the Peace River in Arcadia. Dropa Stones: Are They 12,000 Year Old Discs? These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. This was around the 1870s, after the Civil War. Several local antique stores described the contents of the box as authentic and gruesome, though a Tampa Bay historian says they do not appear to be genuine Spanish coins. One of his ships has been discovered in the waters off of North Carolina and definitely proven to belong to Blackbeard. In it, she introduced herself and wrote that her parents were. Debbie gave us a great tip to hide the tooth in the sand and make our son think he found it. St. Vincent Island off the coast of Florida is said to have been an island frequented by early pirates. He was sentenced to prison and eventually released. Rogers lost interest in the hunt after this and it is said he lived near his treasure to guard it for the remainder of his life. 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. Starting in 1911, though, the event's founders, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, switched . Jos Gaspar allegedly lived between 1756 and 1821 and was based on southwest Florida, on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. We've been chasing his treasures. He remembers their grandfather telling stories when they were children of Ernesto finding the treasure of Tampa Bay pirate legend Jose Gaspar. In his early pirate career, he teamed up with a few other pirates and eventually took over a ship named The Revenge. He quickly worked his way up the ranks of the Spanish Navy and became an officer. 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. joel michael singer coastal wealth fort lauderdale, roy choi meatball lasagna recipe,