Jose Gaspar, the legendary buccaneer who inspired Tampas Gasparilla Pirate Festival, as well as fantastic tales of lost treasure, most likely never really existed. The vessel was said to be transporting gold, silver and precious gems collected in the South . I love this place built around 1640 . We have one with Gomez's name on it. Seeing the writing on the wall, he decided to scuttle his own ship and hide with his crew in the forrest. These wealthy civilizations flourished for hundreds of years spreading The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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 lived not far from Gasparella Island and Charlotte Harbour.where the legend supposedly ended. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Flagler Beach, FL 32136. He continued the diving operation, but while they were working, his wife came down with a fever and died. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Mike Lopez tells WFLA that his sister was. The poem, maps, comments from other searchers, and other guides to finding the treasure are online and easy to find. Bipin Dimri is a writer from India with an educational background in Management Studies. ", 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. Still, it was not very soon after that, that Tampa captured that myth," Kite-Powell said. Caesar was forced to push his pirate pack north to the Gulf of Mexico. Since 1904, pirates have invaded the City of Tampa to kick off the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. 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. One of his ships has been discovered in the waters off of North Carolina and definitely proven to belong to Blackbeard. So, we stole Jose Gaspar. 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.' 5 Popular Mai Tai Recipes and How To Make Them, Mango Tango Cocktail Recipe Boat Drinks, Taste the New St. John Brewers Love City Hard Seltzer, A Day With Stormy Pirates Charters US Virgin Islands, An Island Interview With Caribbean Adventure Author, John H. Cunningham, Love Pets and a Free Place To Stay? USEPPA ISLAND, Fla. Most, if not all, historians agree the pirate named Jose Gaspar never existed. His headquarters were at Boca Grande, on what is today known as Gasparilla Island. He was wanted until 1815 when opinion of him changed. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by, Jose Gaspar is not the only mythical pirate character that has. will support that mission. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. 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 most notorious and successful pirate was Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla. Not being able to pass up this giant score, he pursed the ship that was flying a British flag. Story continues below video. https://www.cultofweird.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/pirate-treasure-hand.jpg, https://www.cultofweird.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/cultofweird-new-logo.png, Mysterious Pirate Treasure Box Found in Tampa Bay Attic, February 17, 2023 - 9:45 pm by dEBRINA bLACKMOON. It's part of our family now.". Indian River Shores, Florida A trove of Spanish coins dating back to a 1715 shipwreck during a storm have been found along a beach in Florida. 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. . Despite its long history, there is no definitive origin of the name. There is another treasure said to be buried on Kelly Island in Delaware by James Gillian, a member of Kidds crew. All of it is built around the story of Gaspar. Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. Since the 1870s, treasure hunters have been trying unsuccessfully to crack this code you see below: Some say its Spanish. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Josh is on a mission to find Jos Gaspar's hidden treasure. 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. The rest of the treasure remains hidden, waiting to be found. So where did Blackbeard hide his treasures? Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. 1 Review #9 of 11 Shopping in Flagler Beach. He ignored this order and stayed in Galveston for about another year before the Army returned forcing him to leave. The Legend of Jose Gaspar. He met and married his wife in New York and had 2 daughters. He vowed revenge on those who had framed him and was forced to turn to a life of piracy. Ye be walkin the plank if ye so think. Historic Mysteries is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. 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. link to A Beginners Guide to Magnet Fishing: 15 Sure Fire Tips. A Net Inceptions project. Okay, that was. The treasure on Money Island is said to hidden in the crevice of a large rock that is only visible during low tide. However, he spotted a British merchant ship and could not resist one final prize. Crystal and I greatly appreciate any support! No Result Found. Hitting the scene in the early 1800s Billy Bowlegs Rogers was a pirate to be reckoned with. The team found a few nails, a beer can, and a screw during this hunt. Photos show a centuries-old shipwreck found off Colombia's coast carrying lost treasure worth billions of dollars, including gold coins and emeralds. A unique legend of pirate treasure in Indiana is intriguing. You'll need a boat or kayak for this cache. The pirate is one of the most notorious in the history of pirates. Just like most pirates, there is little known about his early life. My grandfather had a book on all these when I was younger. Top Image: Real pirate or later fiction? 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. 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 . Canny readers will already recognize a certain romantic streak in these stories. 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 story states that Rogers discovered these lost tunnels and used them to store his treasure. When Gasparilla requested that they accompany him and his crew on a raid, the two young lovers assumed they would be slaughtered. 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). First of all there was a Spanish Catholic missionary named Gasparillo that had a mission on the island that bears his name. Spending most of his time here and running a larger business would provide ample opportunity and necessity to hide valuables. When a ship was taken, the people aboard were not immediately murdered but instead offered the option of dying or joining Gasparillas crew. Gaspar is presented as dignified, noble in heart and rich and titled in some versions. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. Bald Point is another hotspot but for rumors of pirate treasure. 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 . This tale doesnt give the Lopezes a helping hand in solving the mystery of the finds from their grandparents attic. Treasure hunter Erin Melcher. From a four-mile long parade of pirates and period memorabilia on display, to specialty packages and a waterfront half . History of Gasparilla: Jos Gaspar & his krewe. He renamed this ship Queen Anns Revenger which gave him one of the largest fleets on the East coast of America and Caribbean. So it would seem that Gasparilla is a fiction, no more real a figure than Mickey Mouse. Tyrons Landing located between the towns of Wethersfield and Naubuc. 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/. His fleet would capture vessels at sea, and take all the goods back to Galveston. The city of Tampa hosts a Gasparilla Day each year. Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. Inside, bound to the box by copper wire, she found a dessicated hand wearing a ring with the word "Gaspar" on . Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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 History Gattuso will keep them busy on Useppa and across Florida. Having spent some time here, Blackbeard built a fort near a swamp west of Charleston. The family thinks the hand belongs to famous Tampa Bay pirate Jose Gaspar. 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. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Buumi . 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. | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA Notice, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Who was this figure, and what was he supposed to have done? Pirate Blackbeard entered the history books in the early 1700s. There have been many stories told of treasure Captain Kidd buried back in America. 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. The story goes that Lafitte and his men used an old barn on LeBleau Plantation as a gathering location and perhaps buried treasure here. 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. 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. Jos Gaspar. Rumor has it, that the stolen goods are still hidden somewhere on the island. Or at least thats what Florida folklore would have you believe. 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. It seems the mythical pirate was a tall tale concocted by a man named Juan Gmez. But Rodney Kite-Powell, a Tampa-Bay curator, doesn't believe that the legendary figure was even real. Jose Gaspar has come in handy for parades and celebrations. From real buried treasure, to massive pearl finds, these . Maybe you can find one and claim the fame and wealth that will ultimilty accompany your successful efforts. However, perhaps the most famous story of Gaspar concerns his death. However there is a salacious twist to this tale, in that when this lovely young girl declined his romantic proposition, he had her executed. I love searching for all types of "treasures" with my family. ", "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. Jose Gaspar Treasure 6 Jewelry Gift Shops Bookstores $ "We went in looking for a lite shark tooth for our son. "You'll hear more of us, you know; we'll do this until we're old and, you know, can't do it anymore.". 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. Find the treasure, report it, and go to jail for committing a 3rd Degree Felony. We" more 2. According to the story, Gaspar had underestimated the USS Enterprise as an easy target. The team, known as the "Temple Twelve," have been . 2119 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Flagler Beach, FL 32136-2802. The map is estimated to be from the 1930s and shows the Tampa area. There's really no way to know which is the case," Maria wrote, in an email to WTSP-TV. Useppa Island was a military outpost, resort, Confederate stronghold, and CIA site to train Cuban exiles for the Bay of Pigs invasion and was continuously inhabited for 10,000 years by the Calusa Indians. 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. He then sailed back across the world, landing on what we now know as our home of Tampa Bay. Definitely try, Find our recommended Caribbean hotels, restaurants, charters, & tours. Thread starter seeker41; Start date Apr 29, 2015 Apr 29, 2015 We thought that was awesome. A few years later, he fell out of favor with the government and turned to a life of piracy. Florida at this time was in its Second Spanish Period which runs from 1783 to 1821. He then tied himself to an anchor and jumped in the ocean disappearing for all time. Once again our legend states that he hid 3 large chests among a group of trees on San Jose Island. 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. Most stories agree he was an aristocratic Spanish Navy Officer who later. Some say it reveals compass bearings around Lettuce Lake. So that's why we believe that it was Juan Gomez. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Just pick any island and start digging, because Gasparillas loot is buried on many of them, including Cayo Pelau. This story states that the vast treasure was actually siting on the beach in numerous chests waiting to be divided. ", Pirate treasure in grandpa's attic includes human hand. It appears Philip Gosse got the story from Bradlee's book. Also check state and local regulations before you begin any activities such as digging or metal detecting. There are numerous legends and tales of buried treasure on this island. Treasure Unknown is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Name of The Day. Legends tell how he amassed a huge fortune, and hid an enormous treasure before dying a hero facing the might of the US Navy. Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. Therefore hiding treasure might have seemed like a logical choice. "I'm considering it," he said with a big smile. 11 The Cuerdale Treasures- $2.6 Million. Not much is known of his early life before his pirating career. They took the box to a few antique stores around Tampa and the contents were described as "gruesome and authentic.". For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. While doing some spring cleaning a few weeks ago, Maria Lopez made an unusual discovery in her grandfathers attic. Youll read about many that are hidden and a few that were found, so it can happen. Old Hand Found In Florida Attic With Coins And Treasure Map. Another instance of his softer side can be found in the account of Ann Jeffries, an English girl traveling from New Orleans to Liverpool. 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. Do you think there's buried treasure out there? 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. According to archives, the island community was created by Albert W. Gilchrist, Floridas 20th governor. The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Company are said to have distributed the brochures. John Gomez, also known as Juan Gomez and Panther John. Blackbeard also spend some time in North Carolina, in fact he secured a Royal Pardon in the town of Bath. The 300,000 partiers who will swarm the streets Saturday in Tampa for the annual Gasparilla pirate parade won't care. Upon returning he discovered that he had been labeled a pirate by the British government. In or around 1806 the brothers arrived in New Orleans Louisiana and were licensed privateers operating in the Gulf of Mexico. Dropa Stones: Are They 12,000 Year Old Discs? The eerie discovery of a mysterious wooden box bearing a disembodied mummified hand with a ring on the wedding ring finger, an old map of the Tampa area and several coins has stirred up memories of pirate Jose Gaspar. Box allegedly containing Gaspars hand and related items Photo Credit. (386) 439-3061. His ship soon followed him to the watery depths. They used Barataria Bay in Louisiana as a hub for their enterprise. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". At The Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. visitors and locals can find treasures of all kinds. He supposedly buried large amounts of treasures on the islands around the bay. "We are not sure what we're going to do with it," said Lopez. This is extremely suspect as this is the same location rumored to hide the treasure of Billy Bowlegs Rogers. 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. "The reason I believe in Gasparilla is because I believe in Juan Gomez," Mike Gattuso, a member of The Real Treasure Hunters, told Paluska. Lesser and Greater Antilles / Windward and Leeward Islands What is What? All rights reserved. Mysterious box containing a map, coins and a mummified hand found in Tampa Bay attic. Once he was a few hundred meters away, the British flag came down and the American flag rose up the mast. (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. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. 3. The team searched the waters at low tide for a canon buried in the sand. This state also holds another possible location on the banks of Blackbird Creek. $ 6 reviews. Lafayette Street, which is now Kennedy Boulevard is also labeled on the map. The pirate, whose full name is Jos Gaspar, is a legend from the 18th and 19th century. 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. One of the most popular pirates in Florida folklore is Jose' Gaspar. Despite his brutal reputation, Gasparilla was supposed to have a soft side as well. The author of the pamphlet readily stated that the spectacular tale was a work of fiction with no genuine facts in it. They gave him a first name, Jose Gaspar, and they really gave him the full backstory to create that in 1904. The pirate is one of the most notorious in the history of pirates. 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. However, even from the first we run into different versions of the story. Go find it, unbury it, take tons of pictures, bury it back again, and prove to the world that you found it.

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