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 . I love this place built around 1640 . And he's fueled a cottage industry of treasure-hunting books, guides and metal . A Net Inceptions project. 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. 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 . The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure: A gripping, heart-pounding | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA Notice, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 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. As with any treasure hunting adventure, be sure and obtain permission from any applicable parties before your hunt begins. The notorious pirate then committed suicide by wrapping a heavy chain around him and jumping over the side. "So, it's interesting how Tampa, in a sense, stole; we were pirates ourselves. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Therefore hiding treasure might have seemed like a logical choice. His fleet would capture vessels at sea, and take all the goods back to Galveston. You'll need a boat or kayak for this cache. The Legend of Jose Gaspar. This is extremely suspect as this is the same location rumored to hide the treasure of Billy Bowlegs Rogers. Pirate Blackbeard entered the history books in the early 1700s. We will discuss a few of them here. New Castle Island in Delaware is said to house treasure hidden by pirates from Madagascar in 1699. In this time Spain controlled a huge swathe of the Americas and Gaspar grew rich. We have compiled a list of 11 potential pirate treasure troves left unfound. Leaving soon? We lived not far from Gasparella Island and Charlotte Harbour.where the legend supposedly ended. Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. In different accounts, details of his early life, motivations, and activities varied. 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. Lopez wasn't a fan of pirates when he was growing up. 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 . Treasure hunter Stacey Hunt holds an old nail found under the ground on a wetland believed to have lost treasure. They will be focused on the Florida coastline, right in my back yard. (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. Gaspar was a rebel from an aristocratic upbringing. The latter two locations being the most logical. 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. I'm here writing on Treasureunknown to provide helpful resources so others can get out and enjoy the thrill of the hunt! Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Company are said to have distributed the brochures. Sarasota's Michael Gattuso and members of his . 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. Or show us love by sharing articles and leaving great comments. This hoard was allegedly buried by a group of pirates in the early 1800s. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". I have never found any real evidence he lived. 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/. Keep me posted! From real buried treasure, to massive pearl finds, these . The rest of the treasure remains hidden, waiting to be found. I love this place built around 1640 . He would even compensate for injuries if they were sustained while obtaining cargo from another ship. 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. Mike Lopez said his sister was not expecting to find a human hand, a treasure map, and gold coins. I was totally blown away," said Lopez. You are using an out of date browser. 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. He vowed revenge on those who had framed him and was forced to turn to a life of piracy. As promised here is the start of your Pirate Treasure stories. "But, what we believe is that Juan Gomez had ties to him. Despite his brutal reputation, Gasparilla was supposed to have a soft side as well. Another instance of his softer side can be found in the account of Ann Jeffries, an English girl traveling from New Orleans to Liverpool. While in Florida, Caesar palled up with Jose Gaspar, better known as "Gasparilla.". The San Jose, a Spanish treasure ship, was attacked and sunk by a British warship in June 1708. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". "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. 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. There have been many stories told of treasure Captain Kidd buried back in America. 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. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. Is this your business? Top 10 Best Bookstores in Palm Coast, FL - February 2023 - Yelp Michael Gattuso lends a hand to his wife Lauren as they dock on a wetland on the Peace River in Arcadia. Treasure Unknown is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. He told of the looting of ships, the massacre of innocents, and last of all, when his life had nearly passed, he told the story of 'The Little Spanish Princess,' whose name he did not remember. If you choose to embark on a hunt for any treasure do so at your own risk. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State The gold coins were too thin and too old to pass as authentic Spanish treasure. 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. Gaspar apparently did not share this attraction and instead gave his attention to other women of the court. 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. Our knowledge of Jean and his brother Pierre begins in the early 1800s. On the Trail of Gasparilla'S Treasure Haunted by The Ghost of Notorious 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. He quickly worked his way up the ranks of the Spanish Navy and became an officer. Bipin Dimri is a writer from India with an educational background in Management Studies. Legends of Sanibel's Pirate Past - Sanibel Island Myths of Treasure 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. Mysterious Pirate Treasure Box Found in Tampa Bay Attic - Cult of Weird 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. Source of the stories which became inspiration for the legend of Jose Gaspar. The 300,000 partiers who will swarm the streets Saturday in Tampa for the annual Gasparilla pirate parade won't care. He spoke to local TV news network WFLA about the discovery, and the story kept getting stranger. Bald Point is another hotspot but for rumors of pirate treasure. Hiding treasure under a well constructed fort is a much more logical thought than those previously mentioned. It was done for tourism purposes," Gattuso said. The legend states that Gaspar terrorized the western coastal waters of Florida in the late 18th to early 19th century. Okay, that was. 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. ", 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. Many believe it is Edward Teach, but some claim it is Edward Thatch. 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. We are constantly looking for opportunities to metal detect, magnet fish, pan for gold, and search for real life lost treasures. Many took the deal. The parade that follows is one of the largest in the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to Tampa Bay. 2119 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Flagler Beach, FL 32136-2802. Most, if not all, historians agree the pirate named Jose Gaspar never existed. They gave him a first name, Jose Gaspar, and they really gave him the full backstory to create that in 1904. These wealthy civilizations flourished for hundreds of years spreading This does not stop the legend of Gasparilla from living on in the Florida folklore; the story of his life is even retold in a hotel brochure at the site where supposedly his treasure was buried, The Huffington Post reported. The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. 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. 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. $ 6 reviews. 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. 15 Lost Treasures People Actually Found | TheRichest In 1705 the group was killed by French traders who were tired of being robbed by these men. He relocated to Galveston Island around 1817 where he set up a pirate empire. Legend states they marked a tree by driving a sword into it. Name of The Day. Josh Gates sets sail for Florida chasing the long-lost treasure of bloodthirsty pirate Jose Gaspar. We" more 2. The team searched the waters at low tide for a canon buried in the sand. 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. His work appears here every third Monday; the views expressed. Definitely try, Find our recommended Caribbean hotels, restaurants, charters, & tours. Report from the Florida Zone: Buried Treasure - Blogger A Treasured History: The Story of Gasparilla, Tampa's Most Prized 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. USEPPA ISLAND, Fla. Most, if not all, historians agree the pirate named Jose Gaspar never existed. 2 chests are also rumored to be buried on Clarkes Island on the Connecticut River. Jose Gaspar Treasure 6 Jewelry Gift Shops Bookstores $ "We went in looking for a lite shark tooth for our son. 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. He enjoyed telling stories about his adventures on the high seas and a large amount of Gasparillas treasure that was never discovered. When Gasparilla requested that they accompany him and his crew on a raid, the two young lovers assumed they would be slaughtered. Jos Gaspar - Wikipedia 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. Gilchrist intended to turn the area into a community. And to this day, Jose Gaspar returns on board his pirate ship every year to capture the city.". It's part of our family now.". 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 . 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. Just . Our Florida pirate "Jose Gaspar enters history's scene in Spain where he was born in the year 1756 and started adult life with a career in the Spanish Navy, serving aboard the warship Floridablanca. The ship contained $1,000,000 in assorted treasure, and should be there today. His ship soon followed him to the watery depths. jose gaspar, coins, and treasuremap found. | TreasureNet The Original 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. So where did Blackbeard hide his treasures? 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. Aged Rum. Jose Gaspar (GC3FZAF) was created by seabreezedrive on 4/1/2012. JavaScript is disabled. 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? However, if they do, they are still up for grabs. Caesar was forced to push his pirate pack north to the Gulf of Mexico. "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. Plundering the high seas and ports alike resulted in vast riches for some of these ruthless criminals. Before deciding to pursue this ship, Gaspar left some of his men behind with the treasure. They used Barataria Bay in Louisiana as a hub for their enterprise. 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. In fact, we dont even know for certain his real name. Chasing Treasure: The myth of Gasparilla and the real-life man Juan Gomez In his early pirate career, he teamed up with a few other pirates and eventually took over a ship named The Revenge. 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.' But they know long-lost treasures and artifacts are out there. Gasparilla began on horseback in 1904 as a way to add a little pirate-themed fun to the city's May Day festivities. Story continues below video. Crystal and I greatly appreciate any support! What remains of Jos Gaspar today are his stories and legends, but most significant of them all is the secret of these mysterious cherries. Is There Any Pirate Treasure Left? - treasure unknown The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is a gripping, heart-pounding action adventure that's akin to a modern-day Indiana Jones story. 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. They then buried the chests in numerous places along the river and its tributaries and swamps. These stories and locations presented are based on our research but should be taken with some skepticism. 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. Gaspar caught wind of his coming doom, and escaped via ship to America. Most stories agree he was an aristocratic Spanish Navy Officer who later. From a four-mile long parade of pirates and period memorabilia on display, to specialty packages and a waterfront half . All had been going along fine for Gasparilla until the year 1822. Over and out from somewhere south, RumShopRyan. Barnes & Noble Booksellers 10 Bookstores Music & DVDs Toy Stores Mike Lopez tells WFLA that his sister was. 3. There are many differing versions about the pirates origins and life, but there is no real historical evidence that he ever existed. He ignored this order and stayed in Galveston for about another year before the Army returned forcing him to leave. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. 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. Overview. Contributing columnist Jose Gaspar is a news anchor/reporter for Telemundo Bakersfield and KGET. Since the 1870s, treasure hunters have been trying unsuccessfully to crack this code you see below: Some say its Spanish. What Became of Anne Bonny, Irish Pirate of the Caribbean? 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. The pirate, whose full name is Jos Gaspar, is a legend from the 18th and 19th century. 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 Treasure hunters seeking Gasparilla's gold featured on Discovery and This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This is believed to be part of the bribe money given to the owner. Some say it reveals compass bearings around Lettuce Lake. In or around 1806 the brothers arrived in New Orleans Louisiana and were licensed privateers operating in the Gulf of Mexico. Do you think there's buried treasure out there? Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. According to archives, the island community was created by Albert W. Gilchrist, Floridas 20th governor. The treasure on Money Island is said to hidden in the crevice of a large rock that is only visible during low tide. Gasparilla Pirate Festival - Wikipedia There are at least 3 different locations said to hold his riches in Connecticut. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Gaspar, Sachs, S, 2022. The team found a few nails, a beer can, and a screw during this hunt. He soon picked a good spot in Charlotte Harbor, and began to build his pirate kingdom. 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. In Polish origin the meaning of name Gaspar is : Treasure keeper Spanish Meaning : The name Gaspar is an Spanish baby name. 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). 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. Just a salty pirate looking to explore and document the wonders of the Caribbean. Just pick any island and start digging, because Gasparillas loot is buried on many of them, including Cayo Pelau. The Story of Jose Gaspar Jos Gaspar allegedly lived between 1756 and 1821 and was based on southwest Florida, on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico.
jose gaspar treasure found