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 . So where did Blackbeard hide his treasures? A Florida family may have discovered some unusual treasure belonging to legendary pirate Jose "Gasparilla" Gaspar. In different accounts, details of his early life, motivations, and activities varied. The team searched the waters at low tide for a canon buried in the sand. He enjoyed telling stories about his adventures on the high seas and a large amount of Gasparillas treasure that was never discovered. In Polish origin the meaning of name Gaspar is : Treasure keeper Spanish Meaning : The name Gaspar is an Spanish baby name. The poem, maps, comments from other searchers, and other guides to finding the treasure are online and easy to find. Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. Interesting history topics are just a click away. link to 8 Super Fun Family Treasure Hunt Ideas: With Real Treasure. The parade that follows is one of the largest in the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to Tampa Bay. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. His sister found a box in their grandfather's attic in Tampa, Fla., a few weeks ago while doing some spring cleaning. He weighed in on the treasure map as well and believes it was a blueprint for the area during the 1920s and 1930s, but nothing more. However there is a salacious twist to this tale, in that when this lovely young girl declined his romantic proposition, he had her executed. He met and married his wife in New York and had 2 daughters. He eventually retired and settled down on Shell Creek near Lettuce Lake in DeSoto County, where he lived for many years. 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). A treasure said to be worth $30 million. ", 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. Strap yourself in for a wild ride and buy this international bestselling book today! In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, no pirate was more feared in the southern United States than Jose Gaspar. If there is one thing pirates are known for it is treasure. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This characterization continues through the stories of Gasparilla as a pirate. However, this treasure is also attributed to the infamous pirate Blackbeard. So are you juiced up and just caught the gold fever? (5) The first written version of Gasparilla appeared in an advertising brochure of the Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Co. printed in 1900. Lots of shells and jewelry and other gifts. 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). 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. Oak Island the Strange, the Bizarre, and Maybe the "Truth! 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." 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. "It's a bunch of heartbreak with little reward and a lot of imagination," said treasure hunter Erin Melcher. It may not display this or other websites correctly. This hoard was allegedly buried by a group of pirates in the early 1800s. 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! The family thinks the hand belongs to famous Tampa Bay pirate Jose Gaspar. He renamed this ship Queen Anns Revenger which gave him one of the largest fleets on the East coast of America and Caribbean. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. So that's why we believe that it was Juan Gomez. Or show us love by sharing articles and leaving great comments. Having spent some time here, Blackbeard built a fort near a swamp west of Charleston. Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. Gaspar caught wind of his coming doom, and escaped via ship to America. This story states that the vast treasure was actually siting on the beach in numerous chests waiting to be divided. Jose Gaspar Treasure Company | Flagler Beach FL A team of treasure hunters could be on the verge of unearthing the "world's largest treasure hoard," said to be worth over $20 billion. There are numerous tales and stories of pirate treasures hidden thought the world, some of which are not attributed to any particular pirate. And indeed there are serious problems with the stories of Gasparilla. Stingy Jack and the History of the Jack-o-Lantern, The Varangians: Viking Conquerors turned Byzantium Honor Guard, The Secret Necropolis of Ancient Varna and the First Goldsmiths. 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. "The Gasparilla Day Parade, the big parade, is the third largest parade in this country after only the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rose Bowl parade. History Gattuso will keep them busy on Useppa and across Florida. "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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Lopez wasn't a fan of pirates when he was growing up. In this time Spain controlled a huge swathe of the Americas and Gaspar grew rich. 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. Professional blogger, rum judge, consultant, marketer, and consumer of blue water beauty. We're back to the hotel brochure. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Bipin Dimri is a writer from India with an educational background in Management Studies. 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. Jose Gaspar has come in handy for parades and celebrations. Many believe it is Edward Teach, but some claim it is Edward Thatch. 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. He continued the diving operation, but while they were working, his wife came down with a fever and died. His flagship was eventually ran aground and he was ultimately killed by English warships off the East Coast of America. Treasure hunting can be a fun and exciting activity. Okay, that was. 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. 3. ", Pirate treasure in grandpa's attic includes human hand. Santa Rosa Island has been sort of a local hotspot for finding bags of gold and silver coins. I love searching for all types of "treasures" with my family. Later that fall, he captured a large French slave ship bound for some sugar plantations. I have never found any real evidence he lived. So, we stole Jose Gaspar. Mike Lopez said his sister was not expecting to find a human hand, a treasure map, and gold coins. The notorious pirate then committed suicide by wrapping a heavy chain around him and jumping over the side. It was done for tourism purposes," Gattuso said. 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. 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. When you go in the attic you expect to find something old. He did what all retired people do in Florida he fell ill one day and died. 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. link to A Beginners Guide to Magnet Fishing: 15 Sure Fire Tips. His death seems to come straight from Hollywood. The San Jose, a Spanish treasure ship, was attacked and sunk by a British warship in June 1708. The story of the famed pirate may have been the tall tale of a U.S. naval officer. Historic Mysteries is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. Box allegedly containing Gaspars hand and related items Photo Credit. There's really no way to know which is the case," Maria wrote, in an email to WTSP-TV. 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. 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. Gaspar realized in this moment that he had found the treasure he was searching for. At The Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. visitors and locals can find treasures of all kinds. His ship soon followed him to the watery depths. These wealthy civilizations flourished for hundreds of years spreading Just a salty pirate looking to explore and document the wonders of the Caribbean. As promised here is the start of your Pirate Treasure stories. The city of Tampa hosts a Gasparilla Day each year. (386) 439-3061. 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. "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. Charlotte Harbor is an ideal spot to go treasure hunting. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. And that's what we've been chasing. However, if they do, they are still up for grabs. RECOMMENDED: The legend of Jose Gaspar and the history of Gasparilla. They bribed the owner with some of the treasure to not divulge their location. 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. 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 . Once it was in print, people kept spreading it as absolute truth. The Story of Gasparilla by ABC Action News on Scribd. "We go after Juan Gomez because everything, all the treasures and everything we've come through, is tied to him. Most of the suspected locations are in and around the state of Florida. The treasure: Slave-turned-pirate Henri Caesar stole a ship in Haiti to seek his fortune on the Spanish Main and Florida waters. Legend has it that Gasparilla spotted a huge ship sailing in the distance. (2) Most of the islands around Charlotte Harbor were named by the Cuban Spanish fishermen that lived there since the 1600's. Answer: True This is an area where the stories of Gaspar are for once consistent. Story continues below video. wtfflorida.com/information/gaspars-lost-treasure/. 1. In his early pirate career, he teamed up with a few other pirates and eventually took over a ship named The Revenge. Bald Point is another hotspot but for rumors of pirate treasure. When he was wrongfully arrested, he hijacked a ship and fled, promising to seek revenge on his homeland. The ship contained $1,000,000 in assorted treasure, and should be there today. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. Is this your business? According to archives, the island community was created by Albert W. Gilchrist, Floridas 20th governor. 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 most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. Wikipedia, 2022. ", The story of Gaspar begins in 1782; the brochure states, "he stood high in the graces of the Spanish Court, so high indeed that he niched the crown jewels. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/f2/ferret-iii.htm, Florida's Pirate Jose Gaspar and his Treasure Story. Aged Rum. 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. 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. . Read another story from us:Norways Saint Olaf Uncovered: Archaeologists Believe They have Discovered the Shrine of the Lost Viking King. 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. He was sentenced to prison and eventually released. The race of the old buccaneer was nearly run, but all through that night, he told a story of piracy that could scarce be believed, yet it was a dying man that was clearing his soul before his Maker. Some speculate that this is remnants of Rogers great treasure. Many of the stories about Gasparilla were attributed to Juan Gomez. Although Gasparilla was a well-educated, well-dressed pirate and ladies man, things did not always go as planned. Overview. . The Choctawatchee Bay is an area of a lot of speculation of the location of some of Bowlegs hidden treasure. If marriage was selected, there would be a ceremony, and the marriage promise would be strictly enforced. Powell showed us museum exhibits full of gold coins recovered from shipwrecks and explained how the legend of Jose Gaspar launched the Gasparilla Pirate Festival we know and love today. Name of The Day. This is the spot for all of your seaside decorating needs. His fleet would capture vessels at sea, and take all the goods back to Galveston. And she actually had maps, and she had stories that were passed down to the family about these treasures. For whatever reason, burial of chests laden with gold and jewels seems to be the norm, but is there any pirate treasure left? These stories and locations presented are based on our research but should be taken with some skepticism. CBS affiliate WPEC-TV reported that 43-year-old treasure hunter Jonah Martinez located the coins using a . He soon picked a good spot in Charlotte Harbor, and began to build his pirate kingdom. Just like most pirates, there is little known about his early life. Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. Rogers is said to have hidden huge amounts of gold and silver bars worth a fortune today. The 300,000 partiers who will swarm the streets Saturday in Tampa for the annual Gasparilla pirate parade won't care. As mentioned above one of the rumored locations for his treasure is on Woodland Beach in Delaware. He was most likely a sailor for the English Navy who became unemployed and turned to a life of piracy. He successfully captured a few ships during his years long voyage. Rather than be captured by the United States Navy, he wrapped an anchor chain around his leg and jumped overboard, the heavy metal dragging him out of sight into the deep blue waters. Who created the man who is now a legend? The team found a few nails, a beer can, and a screw during this hunt. jose gaspar, coins, and treasuremap found. No Result Found. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Perhaps this suggested location is merely a case in mistaken identity. Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Company are said to have distributed the brochures. The Search For The Real Captain Morgan. The Gasparilla Inn was a hotel on the island. One such account concerns Maria Louise, a lovely Spanish princess, who was returning to Spain after a journey to Mexico with 11 Mexican princesses who were to be educated and married in Spain. Spain and Great Britain were adversaries in the complex tangle of European politics . You must log in or register to reply here. Since 1904, pirates have invaded the City of Tampa to kick off the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. 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. Gaspar was a rebel from an aristocratic upbringing. 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. Where is the Body of the Legendary King Gorm of Denmark. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. Available at: https://www.wfla.com/news/gasparilla/history-of-gasparilla-jose-gaspar-his-krewe/, ymkg, 2022. Deleware holds one more possibility around Woodland Beach. 11 The Cuerdale Treasures- $2.6 Million. It's part of our family now.". Just pick any island and start digging, because Gasparillas loot is buried on many of them, including Cayo Pelau. But Rodney Kite-Powell, a Tampa-Bay curator, doesnt believe that the legendary figure was even real. Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. 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. He spoke to local TV news network WFLA about the discovery, and the story kept getting stranger. Jos Gaspar, also known by his nickname Gasparilla , is an apocryphal Spanish pirate who terrorized the Gulf of Mexico from his base in southwest Florida during Florida's second Spanish period . 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. It is said that he buried a multitude of treasure along the Pamlico Sound and on Bluff Point. Retail store with the following - shells, shellcraft, wood carvings, shark teeth and jaws,. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. What remains of Jos Gaspar today are his stories and legends, but most significant of them all is the secret of these mysterious cherries. A unique legend of pirate treasure in Indiana is intriguing. Go find it, unbury it, take tons of pictures, bury it back again, and prove to the world that you found it. It's light on history and heavy on action, suspense, and intrigue. The most notorious and successful pirate was Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla. Treasure Unknown is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. It is said that he and his brother buried all of his money on the islands in and around Charlotte Harbor. But they know long-lost treasures and artifacts are out there. A band of pirates in Wisconsin operated out of a cave on Hermit island. 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 . Seeing the writing on the wall, he decided to scuttle his own ship and hide with his crew in the forrest. The author of the pamphlet readily stated that the spectacular tale was a work of fiction with no genuine facts in it. | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA Notice, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Similar Names. He is even said to have buried treasure somewhere on the island near where the lighthouse now stands. Supposedly this fort had hidden tunnels leading under the fort. His piratical career always starts with an injustice and he is seen as a lovable rogue rather than a murderous monster. It appears Philip Gosse got the story from Bradlee's book. (story from treasurelore.com). ", "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. The treasure on Money Island is said to hidden in the crevice of a large rock that is only visible during low tide. Email him at elcompa29@gmail.com. Mike Lopez tells WFLA that his sister was. Since 1904, pirates have invaded the City of Tampa to kick off the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. Many ship captains and pirates alike came to Lafitte and could sign articles to become a part of his pirate fleet. Sarasota's Michael Gattuso and members of his . 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. 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. He remembers their grandfather telling stories when they were children of Ernesto finding the treasure of Tampa Bay pirate legend Jose Gaspar. The pirate is one of the most notorious in the history of pirates. Website. Not much is known of his early life before his pirating career. In the late 1600s a Scottish sailor named William Kidd came to America. Over and out from somewhere south, RumShopRyan. But treasure hunters believe there is truth in his tall tale, and buried treasure is out there. 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 . . 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. Was there really a pirate named Jose Gaspar? Once again our legend states that he hid 3 large chests among a group of trees on San Jose Island. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Available at: https://ymkg.com/the-legend-of-jose-gasparilla/. All had been going along fine for Gasparilla until the year 1822. Or they were always togahter. But Rodney Kite-Powell, a Tampa-Bay curator, doesn't believe that the legendary figure was even real. He apparently helped repeal a British Invasion on New Orleans. Source of the stories which became inspiration for the legend of Jose Gaspar. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Canceled2021 Gasparilla Pirate Festival / Date "The reason I believe in Gasparilla is because I believe in Juan Gomez," Mike Gattuso, a member of The Real Treasure Hunters, told Paluska. On the Hawaiian island of Oahu there is said to be six chests buried along a stone wall somewhere around Kaena Point. Most stories agree he was an aristocratic Spanish Navy Officer who later. 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. 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. There are at least 3 different locations said to hold his riches in Connecticut. 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. "We do have some treasure maps, and we're working on them," Gattuso said. Icelanders and the Huldufolk: A Nation Gripped by Farinis Great Discovery: Is there a Lost City Top Ten Knights of King Arthurs Round Table.