A Treasured History: The Story of Gasparilla, Tampa's Most Prized Rumors take on a life of their own and ultimately cause hurt or expense. On the Trail of Gasparilla'S Treasure Haunted by The Ghost of Notorious His ship was scuttled in the battle sending the valuables to the bottom of the ocean. 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. 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 . 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. Gasparilla had fallen into a trap! Another instance of his softer side can be found in the account of Ann Jeffries, an English girl traveling from New Orleans to Liverpool. The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. Or show us love by sharing articles and leaving great comments. Jose Gaspar (aka: Gasparilla) was a quasi-mythical Spanish pirate who roamed the waters of Tampa Bay, Florida. Report from the Florida Zone: Buried Treasure - Blogger Old hand, coins and treasure map found in Florida attic - The Vintage News 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? And she actually had maps, and she had stories that were passed down to the family about these treasures. Before deciding to pursue this ship, Gaspar left some of his men behind with the treasure. The pirate, whose full name is Jos Gaspar, is a legend from the 18th and 19th century. He is even said to have buried treasure somewhere on the island near where the lighthouse now stands. 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. Top Image: Real pirate or later fiction? Who was this figure, and what was he supposed to have done? Finally Pirates Cove, which is on the southern tip of Connecticut may house these valuable chests. 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 San Jose, a Spanish treasure ship, was attacked and sunk by a British warship in June 1708. Lets do this. Some say that as this disguised ship was sailing by, the aging pirate and his crew were in the process of dividing up the spoils as an act of retirement. The story was included in a brochure in 1900 for a hotel on Gasparilla Island, where the pirate supposedly stored his vast treasures in a hidden den that had never been found. 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. CBS affiliate WPEC-TV reported that 43-year-old treasure hunter Jonah Martinez located the coins using a . Tampa family finds 'pirate treasure' in attic including treasure map Accept Read More. This story seems to border on the outer limits, but a local historian doesnt believe that the hand belongs to the famed pirate. The Gasparilla Inn was a hotel on the island. 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. The family thinks the hand belongs to famous Tampa Bay pirate Jose Gaspar. On my recent visit, I was on a shell mission to use for a hairpiece for a . Tyrons Landing located between the towns of Wethersfield and Naubuc. 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. Is There Any Pirate Treasure Left? - treasure unknown This is the spot for all of your seaside decorating needs. Jose Gaspar - A Real Pirate? | TreasureNet The Original Treasure His fleet would capture vessels at sea, and take all the goods back to Galveston. Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State According to historians, it was a real man named Juan "Panther John" Gomez from Gasparilla Island, or as he was known locally, John, or Panther Key John. The Pirates of Charlotte Harbor His methods were black and bloody, and he stands out among all the pirates who used Florida to bury their wealth. Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Company are said to have distributed the brochures. 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. will support that mission. 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. Many took the deal. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. "We are not sure what we're going to do with it," said Lopez. But they know long-lost treasures and artifacts are out there. Bipin Dimri is a writer from India with an educational background in Management Studies. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". . Here are some Metal Detectors for you to start your quest. 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). The legend of Gaspar began making its way into other writings after that, without any other historical evidence to back it up. So are you juiced up and just caught the gold fever? Some historians say Caesar has between two-and-six million dollars of treasure stashed on Pine Island. Jos Gaspar - Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias 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 San Jose galleon was believed to have been . Show more. (5) The first written version of Gasparilla appeared in an advertising brochure of the Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Co. printed in 1900. A Net Inceptions project. Born in 1756 in Spain, Gaspar served in the Spanish Navy until a mutiny in 1783. Lopez wasn't a fan of pirates when he was growing up. Much of his treasure was carried to him up the Peace River. His work appears here every third Monday; the views expressed. We've been chasing his treasures. When Gasparilla requested that they accompany him and his crew on a raid, the two young lovers assumed they would be slaughtered. Gaspar realized in this moment that he had found the treasure he was searching for. In 1897, he purchased land at Boca Grande, an island outpost. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Buumi . Around noon on the Gasparilla Day, members of YMKG set sail across Tampa Bay from near Ballast Point Park to downtown aboard the Jose Gasparilla, a 165' long flat . Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. Jos Gaspar - Wikiwand ", Pirate treasure in grandpa's attic includes human hand. This characterization continues through the stories of Gasparilla as a pirate. P.S. He eventually retired and settled down on Shell Creek near Lettuce Lake in DeSoto County, where he lived for many years. The author of the pamphlet readily stated that the spectacular tale was a work of fiction with no genuine facts in it. 2119 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Flagler Beach, FL 32136-2802. Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. Leaving soon? Historic Mysteries is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. A unique legend of pirate treasure in Indiana is intriguing. Gasparilla seized her ship, and the hostages were brought to his hideout on Gasparilla Island. The team searched the waters at low tide for a canon buried in the sand. Texas is also a logical location for this pirate to bury treasure. New Castle Island in Delaware is said to house treasure hidden by pirates from Madagascar in 1699. There are at least 3 different locations said to hold his riches in Connecticut. Many believe it is Edward Teach, but some claim it is Edward Thatch. Gasparilla the Pirate and his Charlotte Harbor Treasure Chasing Treasure: The myth of Gasparilla and the real-life man Juan Gomez So where did Blackbeard hide his treasures? Legend has it that in the late 1700s, a pirate named Jose Gaspar kidnapped the Spanish princess Joseffa de Mayorga. Jose Gaspar: More myth than man - baynews9.com When he finally realized that it was a warship, it was too late. Josh Gates sets sail for Florida chasing the long-lost treasure of bloodthirsty pirate Jose Gaspar. There's really no way to know which is the case," Maria wrote, in an email to WTSP-TV. A band of pirates in Wisconsin operated out of a cave on Hermit island. How did the legend of Gaspar begin? 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. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. 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.". Most stories agree he was an aristocratic Spanish Navy Officer who later. Source of the stories which became inspiration for the legend of Jose Gaspar. But treasure hunters believe there is truth in his tall tale, and buried treasure is out there. However, even from the first we run into different versions of the story. $150 Million Dollar Treasure Found On A Beach By Accident $ 6 reviews. History of Gasparilla: Jos Gaspar & his krewe. 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 . What year did Gasparilla start? He spent nearly 30 years plundering ships in and around the gulf coast. These stories really get your imagination scrambling about finding buried riches yourself. Location & Hours 2119 N Oceanshore Blvd Flagler Beach, FL 32136 Get directions Edit business info You Might Also Consider Sponsored Purple Haze 22 23.4 miles away from Jose Gaspar Treasure Marcus E. said "Hand crafted glass smoking utensils. The Legend of Jose Gaspar. Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. According to the story, Gaspar had underestimated the USS Enterprise as an easy target. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co | Flagler Beach, FL 32136 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. Florida's Pirate Jose Gaspar and his Treasure Story You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Is this the hand and treasure of Jose Gaspar? Legacy | Useppa Island Enjoy. 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. Similar Names. The allures of Jose Gaspar's mythical treasure and Tampa's giant pirate parade have pulled strongly on producers of reality television lately. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 10 Lost Treasures in America Waiting to be Found - History Collection Just pick any island and start digging, because Gasparillas loot is buried on many of them, including Cayo Pelau. Despite its long history, there is no definitive origin of the name. The poem, maps, comments from other searchers, and other guides to finding the treasure are online and easy to find. Legend has it that Gasparilla spotted a huge ship sailing in the distance. Crystal and I greatly appreciate any support! At The Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. visitors and locals can find treasures of all kinds. So, we stole Jose Gaspar. It's part of our family now.". Find the treasure, don't report it, melt it down or sell it on the black market using a different name. This action helped turn opinion of Lafitte from villain to hero. 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. 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. I'm Clint, the guy behind Treasureunknown. A Beginners Guide to Magnet Fishing: 15 Sure Fire Tips. The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. You are using an out of date browser. In or around 1806 the brothers arrived in New Orleans Louisiana and were licensed privateers operating in the Gulf of Mexico. 1. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Sign up for our WTFF Newsletter to get weird Florida news delivered straight to your email: WTFF News: Because regular news is depressing. 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. 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. Legend states they marked a tree by driving a sword into it. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Over and out from somewhere south, RumShopRyan. Box allegedly containing Gaspars hand and related items Photo Credit. Upon hearing this news, he unloaded his spoils and set sail for America (where he was later arrested and sent back to England). 6 reviews of Jose Gaspar Treasure "This sweet little shell shop is nestled in along A1A and the beautiful Atlantic shoreline. The first recorded reference of Jos Gaspar was in fact over 100 years after his supposed career, in a short biography included in an early 1900s promotional brochure for the Gasparilla Inn on Gasparilla Island in Charlotte Harbor. Email him at elcompa29@gmail.com. Gaspar was a rebel from an aristocratic upbringing. Billy left the vast majority of his crew behind and sailed north to gather supplies to salvage his ship. Do you think there's buried treasure out there? Many of the stories about Gasparilla were attributed to Juan Gomez. Gaspar apparently did not share this attraction and instead gave his attention to other women of the court. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Supposedly this fort had hidden tunnels leading under the fort. Latest Blog . 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 . Treasure hunter Stacey Hunt holds an old nail found under the ground on a wetland believed to have lost treasure. "The reason I believe in Gasparilla is because I believe in Juan Gomez," Mike Gattuso, a member of The Real Treasure Hunters, told Paluska. The pirate, whose full name is Jos Gaspar, is a legend from the 18th and 19th century. His men, who numbered in the hundreds, also buried their smaller caches on these islands. "So, it's interesting how Tampa, in a sense, stole; we were pirates ourselves. Other than news articles, the first story ever published in print about the Story of Gasparilla was commissioned by the Charlotte Harbor & Northern Railroad. 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. Contributing columnist Jose Gaspar is a news anchor/reporter for Telemundo Bakersfield and KGET. The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is a gripping, heart-pounding action adventure that's akin to a modern-day Indiana Jones story. With the help of the Prime Minster she was able to convincingly spread this rumor leading to Gaspars impending arrest by the king. Gaspar - Meaning of Gaspar Name, Boy Gaspar Origin and Astrology Have you ever hunted a treasure story? | Friendly Metal Detecting Forum When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. 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. Inside, bound to the box by copper wire, she found a dessicated hand wearing a ring with the word "Gaspar" on . In 1705 the group was killed by French traders who were tired of being robbed by these men. It's light on history and heavy on action, suspense, and intrigue. For whatever reason, burial of chests laden with gold and jewels seems to be the norm, but is there any pirate treasure left? They then buried the chests in numerous places along the river and its tributaries and swamps. These tunnels converged into a large chamber underground. The 300,000 partiers who will swarm the streets Saturday in Tampa for the annual Gasparilla pirate parade won't care. 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. Lafitte was wanted by the US government for they deemed his acts as piracy, not privateering. 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. Mike Lopez tells WFLA that his sister was. Theyve done this every Sunday for a year, looking for the booty of 19th century pirate Jose Gaspar. It's located in Florida, United States.A real, albeit, small treasure chest on a real small island. When it comes to spring cleaning, its always nice to have a spare hand to help. He enjoyed telling stories about his adventures on the high seas and a large amount of Gasparillas treasure that was never discovered. Paluska and ABC Action News photojournalist Reed Moeller took a 20-minute ferry ride from Pine Island to Useppa Island, the location where Gaspar is said to have beheaded a Spanish Princess. The notorious pirate then committed suicide by wrapping a heavy chain around him and jumping over the side. 2 chests are also rumored to be buried on Clarkes Island on the Connecticut River. As promised here is the start of your Pirate Treasure stories. Louisiana makes sense because during most of his time here, he was considered a fugitive by the US. He has written for 8 years in a variety of fields including history, health and politics. 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. 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. Once again our legend states that he hid 3 large chests among a group of trees on San Jose Island. His piratical career always starts with an injustice and he is seen as a lovable rogue rather than a murderous monster. The Choctawatchee Bay is an area of a lot of speculation of the location of some of Bowlegs hidden treasure. By booking through these links, the small commission we earn helps us bring you more Caribbean content so that you can save money and have a better island vacation. Gasparilla had decided to retire following the sale of Florida to the United States, and was dividing his treasure (valued at six times the purchase price of the entire state of Florida) between his crew. He did what all retired people do in Florida he fell ill one day and died. Oak Island the Strange, the Bizarre, and Maybe the "Truth! The gold coins were too thin and too old to pass as authentic Spanish treasure. " Mar 2021 We really enjoyed shopping here! From seashells to lost treasure, this shop has it all. From real buried treasure, to massive pearl finds, these . The Search For The Real Captain Morgan. This happened in the year 1782. 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. The legend states that Gaspar terrorized the western coastal waters of Florida in the late 18th to early 19th century. What date is Gasparilla 2021? When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. The prices are great and you can walk more than one foot without seeing some adorable little trinket that you just can't live without. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by, Jose Gaspar is not the only mythical pirate character that has. He wished to return to America to retrieve this treasure after Kidds execution but he never made it back. 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 cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The Search for Florida's Lost Pirate: With Josh Gates, Shamus Warren, Rodney Kite-Powell, Michael Gattuso. However, this treasure is also attributed to the infamous pirate Blackbeard. The rest of the treasure remains hidden, waiting to be found. Find the treasure, report it, and go to jail for committing a 3rd Degree Felony. "I'm considering it," he said with a big smile. "Either my great-grandfather made the best, most elaborate pirate hoax ever and never shared it with anyone or he really did find some treasure on the Hillsborough River.
