This action helped turn opinion of Lafitte from villain to hero. Since the 1870s, treasure hunters have been trying unsuccessfully to crack this code you see below: Some say its Spanish. JavaScript is disabled. (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. We're back to the hotel brochure. Lots of shells and jewelry and other gifts. Another instance of his softer side can be found in the account of Ann Jeffries, an English girl traveling from New Orleans to Liverpool. "Maybe my great-grandparents were pirates," Mike Lopez said. After sustaining heavy damage, the famed Spanish pirate tied himself to his anchor and leaped to his watery death apparently not wanting to be killed at the hands of the enemy. 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. When you go in the attic you expect to find something old. If you choose to embark on a hunt for any treasure do so at your own risk. Shopping, Gift & Specialty Shops. Gaspar was a rebel from an aristocratic upbringing. The coins are believed to be 18th century Spanish and Portuguese coins and the ring on the hand's is expected to be from around the same time period. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". jose gaspar, coins, and treasuremap found. This Plantation is said to be roughly 5 miles West of the town of Iowa. 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. It's part of our family now.". The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The team searched the waters at low tide for a canon buried in the sand. He eventually retired and settled down on Shell Creek near Lettuce Lake in DeSoto County, where he lived for many years. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. And that's what we've been chasing. Some speculate that this is remnants of Rogers great treasure. Hiding treasure under a well constructed fort is a much more logical thought than those previously mentioned. "You'll hear more of us, you know; we'll do this until we're old and, you know, can't do it anymore.". Sarasota's Michael Gattuso and members of his . 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. Once it was in print, people kept spreading it as absolute truth. New details have emerged about the San Jose, a Spanish galleon sunk by British ships 300 years ago. Kidd set sail for England and was commissioned as a privateer by the English government. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 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. "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. There are also inherent dangers involved with any of these types of adventures. Youll read about many that are hidden and a few that were found, so it can happen. For one, there is no evidence of his pirate empire. My grandfather had a book on all these when I was younger. Rumor has it, that the stolen goods are still hidden somewhere on the island. Bipin Dimri is a writer from India with an educational background in Management Studies. Pirate Blackbeard entered the history books in the early 1700s. Many say he buried treasure here during this time. According to the sources we studied, Gaspar was probably born in Spain in 1756. "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. A few years later, he fell out of favor with the government and turned to a life of piracy. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. This story seems to border on the outer limits, but a local historian doesnt believe that the hand belongs to the famed pirate. 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. He was sentenced to prison and eventually released. They took the box to a few antique stores around Tampa and the contents were described as "gruesome and authentic.". 1. The Gasparilla Inn was a hotel on the island. A fortune worth $1 million when it was hidden in 2010 is waiting to be picked up somewhere in the Rocky Mountains just a few miles from Santa Fe, New Mexico. Just pick any island and start digging, because Gasparillas loot is buried on many of them, including Cayo Pelau. This was around the 1870s, after the Civil War. He would even compensate for injuries if they were sustained while obtaining cargo from another ship. Mike Lopez said his sister was not expecting to find a human hand, a treasure map, and gold coins. The legend states that Gaspar terrorized the western coastal waters of Florida in the late 18th to early 19th century. It does not store any personal data. He then sailed back across the world, landing on what we now know as our home of Tampa Bay. Save. Tales of pirate treasures are very difficult to substantiate due to many factors. Jos Gaspar. He continued the diving operation, but while they were working, his wife came down with a fever and died. 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). So, we stole Jose Gaspar. 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. Legend has it that in the late 1700s, a pirate named Jose Gaspar kidnapped the Spanish princess Joseffa de Mayorga. 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 . These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 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. John Gomez, also known as Juan Gomez and Panther John. They gave him a first name, Jose Gaspar, and they really gave him the full backstory to create that in 1904. https://wtfflorida.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/17-Oru-Para-Todos-Los-Santos-Part-1-Eleggua.mp3, Its gonna be really f*cking cold in Florida; impending snow, death, mayhem, Andrew Van Sickle assigned as prosecutor in the infamous shark case, Lets Make Florida Slightly Less Fucked Up, Alligator attacks Peace River swimmer in Arcadia, Florida Man Cuts off Gator Tail to Impress Girlfriend and Tries to Sell it to Neighbors, Traffic stop leads to meth arrest in Silver Springs. Much of his treasure was carried to him up the Peace River. Story continues below video. (story from treasurelore.com). On my recent visit, I was on a shell mission to use for a hairpiece for a . Some say it reveals compass bearings around Lettuce Lake. His theft discovered, he deserted his wife. The team, known as the "Temple Twelve," have been . One of the most popular pirates in Florida folklore is Jose' Gaspar. These tunnels converged into a large chamber underground. Texas is also a logical location for this pirate to bury treasure. But Rodney Kite-Powell, a Tampa-Bay curator, doesn't believe that the legendary figure was even real. 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. Interesting history topics are just a click away. Many believe it is Edward Teach, but some claim it is Edward Thatch. Most of the suspected locations are in and around the state of Florida. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. He apparently helped repeal a British Invasion on New Orleans. Another logical location said to hide this cache of valuables is in South Carolina. All had been going along fine for Gasparilla until the year 1822. Whilst swimming in Key West, he and a team of specialists find a huge anchor that may have been from Gaspar's vessel. Once again our legend states that he hid 3 large chests among a group of trees on San Jose Island. 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. Old Hand Found In Florida Attic With Coins And Treasure Map. He supposedly buried 3 chests under a palm tree somewhere in the vicinity. Gasparilla, if he existed, wrapped himself in chain and jumped overboard with both hands still attached. "But, what we believe is that Juan Gomez had ties to him. The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is a gripping, heart-pounding action adventure that's akin to a modern-day Indiana Jones story. However there is a salacious twist to this tale, in that when this lovely young girl declined his romantic proposition, he had her executed. What year did Jose Gaspar invade Tampa? The brochure relied heavily on the stories told by John Gomez. 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. When he was wrongfully arrested, he hijacked a ship and fled, promising to seek revenge on his homeland. New Castle Island in Delaware is said to house treasure hidden by pirates from Madagascar in 1699. Caesar was forced to push his pirate pack north to the Gulf of Mexico. 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. Contributing columnist Jose Gaspar is a news anchor/reporter for Telemundo Bakersfield and KGET. But the idea of a pirate named Gasparilla (or some variant) goes way back. The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. Jose Gaspar has come in handy for parades and celebrations. Jose Gaspar (GC3FZAF) was created by seabreezedrive on 4/1/2012. 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). 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. "Possibly keep it forever. Sign up for our WTFF Newsletter to get weird Florida news delivered straight to your email: WTFF News: Because regular news is depressing. He remembers their grandfather telling stories when they were children of Ernesto finding the treasure of Tampa Bay pirate legend Jose Gaspar. I love searching for all types of "treasures" with my family. A Net Inceptions project. 2009-2021 Historic Mysteries. The San Jose galleon was believed to have been . 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. His work appears here every third Monday; the views expressed. Strap yourself in for a wild ride and buy this international bestselling book today! "I'm considering it. His ship soon followed him to the watery depths. The city of Tampa hosts a Gasparilla Day each year. He even set up a blockade of the port of Charleston in South Carolina for 6 days. The choice of the navy career wasn't courage and thirst for adventure on the part of Jose but an expediency of the moment. " Mar 2021 We really enjoyed shopping here! wtfflorida.com/information/gaspars-lost-treasure/. 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. 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. And to this day, Jose Gaspar returns on board his pirate ship every year to capture the city.". Jose Gaspar Treasure Co 5 1 #9 of 11 Shopping in Flagler Beach Speciality & Gift Shops Visit website Write a review What people are saying " Fun shop with good prices! Or at least thats what Florida folklore would have you believe. Gilchrist intended to turn the area into a community. He ignored this order and stayed in Galveston for about another year before the Army returned forcing him to leave. He confirmed that indeed the Lopezes have found a real human hand, but as for Gasparilla, that was a myth. From seashells to lost treasure, this shop has it all. You must log in or register to reply here. So it would seem that Gasparilla is a fiction, no more real a figure than Mickey Mouse. All rights reserved. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/f2/ferret-iii.htm, Florida's Pirate Jose Gaspar and his Treasure Story. JavaScript is disabled. 2 chests are also rumored to be buried on Clarkes Island on the Connecticut River. 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. The story of the famed pirate may have been the tall tale of a U.S. naval officer. ", The story said Gaspar hid in the Charlotte Harbor area, and "while taking the census of 1900, two gentlemen stopped at Panther Key and spent the night with *John Gomez. Gaspar apparently did not share this attraction and instead gave his attention to other women of the court. Gaspar caught wind of his coming doom, and escaped via ship to America. 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/. There are many differing versions about the pirates origins and life, but there is no real historical evidence that he ever existed. What we do know is that he is considered a hero to some and a villain to others. They will be focused on the Florida coastline, right in my back yard. In Polish origin the meaning of name Gaspar is : Treasure keeper Spanish Meaning : The name Gaspar is an Spanish baby name. Do secret rooms conceal unknown treasures? They then buried the chests in numerous places along the river and its tributaries and swamps. The pirate is one of the most notorious in the history of pirates. Inside, bound to the box by copper wire, she found a dessicated hand wearing a ring with the word "Gaspar" on . 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. 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. He enjoyed telling stories about his adventures on the high seas and a large amount of Gasparillas treasure that was never discovered. Okay, that was. Find the treasure, report it, and go to jail for committing a 3rd Degree Felony. So, a real figure or a tall tale told by Floridians? Inside was a tattered map of the Hillsborough River, century-old coins, a family picture and a hand wearing a ring. The men were executed but Gomez was to be the final survivor of this piratical outfit. Jose Gaspar Treasure Company | Flagler Beach FL CBS affiliate WPEC-TV reported that 43-year-old treasure hunter Jonah Martinez located the coins using a . Mysterious box containing a map, coins and a mummified hand found in Tampa Bay attic. 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.' 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 . His piratical career always starts with an injustice and he is seen as a lovable rogue rather than a murderous monster. These stories and locations presented are based on our research but should be taken with some skepticism. 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. This is believed to be part of the bribe money given to the owner. 11 The Cuerdale Treasures- $2.6 Million. ", "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. 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. What date is Gasparilla 2021? P.S. Evidently, though, the treasure is not. "We go after Juan Gomez because everything, all the treasures and everything we've come through, is tied to him. Show more. The legend of Gaspar began making its way into other writings after that, without any other historical evidence to back it up. Treasure hunting can be a fun and exciting activity. What you don't expect to find is treasure. 2119 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Flagler Beach, FL 32136-2802. Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. Supposedly this fort had hidden tunnels leading under the fort. As the legends go, the famed Spanish pirate Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla, used the island as his home base of operations throughout the late 18th century and into the early 19th century. Magnet fishing is a hobby that is quickly increasing in popularity with good reason. Louisiana makes sense because during most of his time here, he was considered a fugitive by the US. Not much is known of his early life before his pirating career. Gasparilla began on horseback in 1904 as a way to add a little pirate-themed fun to the city's May Day festivities. Gaspar is presented as dignified, noble in heart and rich and titled in some versions. Treasure hunter Michael Gattuso digs a hole in front of treasure hunters Stacey Hunt and Erin Melcher in an area where metal detectors notify of gold on a wetland believed to have lost treasure on the Peace River in Arcadia on Sunday, January 13, 2019. Perhaps this suggested location is merely a case in mistaken identity. Definitely try, Find our recommended Caribbean hotels, restaurants, charters, & tours. They took the box to a few antique stores. 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. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. It may not display this or other websites correctly. With the help of the Prime Minster she was able to convincingly spread this rumor leading to Gaspars impending arrest by the king. It was a simple wooden box, but inside were fascinating (and macabre) clues to a family mystery. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 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. 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 cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The items found by his sister were neatly packed inside a wooden box. In 1897, he purchased land at Boca Grande, an island outpost. But Rodney Kite-Powell, a Tampa-Bay curator, doesnt believe that the legendary figure was even real. Gasparilla seized their ship, as well as their 11 dowries, but fell madly in love with the Spanish princess. What Became of Anne Bonny, Irish Pirate of the Caribbean? This happened in the year 1782. A few months ago, Gattuso found a Calusa bone tool that is now part of the Useppa Island museum's collection. All of it is built around the story of Gaspar. 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. In different accounts, details of his early life, motivations, and activities varied. We are constantly looking for opportunities to metal detect, magnet fish, pan for gold, and search for real life lost treasures. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); If anybody wants to start a treasure seach team, WTF Florida? It's light on history and heavy on action, suspense, and intrigue. The Gaspar myth in the very beginning was tied to the Charlotte Harbor area. But Gasparilla himself did not survive the final battle. These stories really get your imagination scrambling about finding buried riches yourself. As with any treasure hunting adventure, be sure and obtain permission from any applicable parties before your hunt begins. From a four-mile long parade of pirates and period memorabilia on display, to specialty packages and a waterfront half . Despite its long history, there is no definitive origin of the name. There are numerous tales and stories of pirate treasures hidden thought the world, some of which are not attributed to any particular pirate. Billy left the vast majority of his crew behind and sailed north to gather supplies to salvage his ship. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Captured ladies were not raped and murdered, but instead had the option of marrying one of his crew members or being transferred to Captiva Island in Florida. Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. Treasure hunter and researcher Lauren Gattuso sits on the boat as it heads toward an area where her and a small group of treasure hunters believe lies lost treasure. According to some versions of the story, Gaspar started as a troubled adolescent who kidnapped a little girl for ransom. 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 flagship was eventually ran aground and he was ultimately killed by English warships off the East Coast of America. Friendly down to earth staff. There's really no way to know which is the case," Maria wrote, in an email to WTSP-TV. As promised here is the start of your Pirate Treasure stories. There have been many stories told of treasure Captain Kidd buried back in America. Another report states that he hid several chests in a small river somewhere in the vicinity of the Bay. His death seems to come straight from Hollywood. Millions of dollars have been found literally lying in front of people's feet, the world's beaches. Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. Many took the deal. 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. Source of the stories which became inspiration for the legend of Jose Gaspar. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. A unique legend of pirate treasure in Indiana is intriguing. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. 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 . Oak Island the Strange, the Bizarre, and Maybe the "Truth! While Gaspar chained the anchor of his ship to his waist and dove into the water to avoid giving the enemy the satisfaction of killing him, Gmez lived to tell the tale. Jose Gaspar, the legendary buccaneer who inspired Tampas Gasparilla Pirate Festival, as well as fantastic tales of lost treasure, most likely never really existed. In 1705 the group was killed by French traders who were tired of being robbed by these men. I'm Clint, the guy behind Treasureunknown. Since 1904, pirates have invaded the City of Tampa to kick off the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. It's light on history and heavy on action, suspense, and intrigue. It's located in Florida, United States.A real, albeit, small treasure chest on a real small island. We have compiled a list of 11 potential pirate treasure troves left unfound. All of it is built around the story of Gaspar. The author of the pamphlet readily stated that the spectacular tale was a work of fiction with no genuine facts in it. However, if they do, they are still up for grabs. Marias brother Mike believes the couple in the photo may be their great grandparents, Eve and Ernesto Lopez. 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. In it, she introduced herself and wrote that her parents were. . The American Government then decided to get into the act and sent a Navy squadron to end his career. Accept Read More. The final and perhaps most intriguing possibility is around the Spanish Fort San Carlos in Pensacola. A couple of his rancher buddies found him and buried him. Crystal and I greatly appreciate any support! You must log in or register to reply here. He was most likely a sailor for the English Navy who became unemployed and turned to a life of piracy. The San Jose, a Spanish treasure ship, was attacked and sunk by a British warship in June 1708. Lets do this. 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. Therefore hiding treasure might have seemed like a logical choice. Mike Lopez tells WFLA that his sister was. 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. Lacking experience in seamanship, he and his crew of escaped slaves limited their raids to smaller ships and coastal villages but managed to amass a large amount of treasure, which was hidden in several caches on the . again not sure of the thought process of choosing a tree as a landmark for millions of dollars in treasure, but that is how the story goes. (3) The Spanish kept meticulous records and there is no mention of Gasparilla in the archives. 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.
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