Gasparilla 2023: The pirate party master list. Lesser and Greater Antilles / Windward and Leeward Islands What is What? Another logical location said to hide this cache of valuables is in South Carolina. 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. 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/. Before deciding to pursue this ship, Gaspar left some of his men behind with the treasure. Latest Blog . Jos Gaspar allegedly lived between 1756 and 1821 and was based on southwest Florida, on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. Despite his brutal reputation, Gasparilla was supposed to have a soft side as well. This story states that the vast treasure was actually siting on the beach in numerous chests waiting to be divided. Jos Gaspar. Old Hand Found In Florida Attic With Coins And Treasure Map. The story states that Rogers discovered these lost tunnels and used them to store his treasure. (386) 439-3061. 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. Born in 1756 in Spain, Gaspar served in the Spanish Navy until a mutiny in 1783. Overview. His methods were black and bloody, and he stands out among all the pirates who used Florida to bury their wealth. ", "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. There are numerous legends and tales of buried treasure on this island. If marriage was selected, there would be a ceremony, and the marriage promise would be strictly enforced. Photos show a centuries-old shipwreck found off Colombia's coast carrying lost treasure worth billions of dollars, including gold coins and emeralds. . Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. Many believe it is Edward Teach, but some claim it is Edward Thatch. They bribed the owner with some of the treasure to not divulge their location. Caesar was forced to push his pirate pack north to the Gulf of Mexico. 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 the late 1600s a Scottish sailor named William Kidd came to America. 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. When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. "It's a bunch of heartbreak with little reward and a lot of imagination," said treasure hunter Erin Melcher. His flagship was eventually ran aground and he was ultimately killed by English warships off the East Coast of America. We thought that was awesome. Here Lafitte had a very fair treasure distribution policy that everyone seemed to like. His ship was scuttled in the battle sending the valuables to the bottom of the ocean. One of his ships has been discovered in the waters off of North Carolina and definitely proven to belong to Blackbeard. It is said that he buried a multitude of treasure along the Pamlico Sound and on Bluff Point. So that's why we believe that it was Juan Gomez. The Gasparilla Inn was a hotel on the island. Professional blogger, rum judge, consultant, marketer, and consumer of blue water beauty. The choice of the navy career wasn't courage and thirst for adventure on the part of Jose but an expediency of the moment. Dodge and Hardee get credit for creating Gasparilla, and Hardee and the krewe more so for crafting Gaspar's backstory (including giving him the first name Jose and a death date of 1821). The story of the famed pirate may have been the tall tale of a U.S. naval officer. Since the 1870s, treasure hunters have been trying unsuccessfully to crack this code you see below: Some say its Spanish. However there is a salacious twist to this tale, in that when this lovely young girl declined his romantic proposition, he had her executed. Youll read about many that are hidden and a few that were found, so it can happen. Historic Mysteries is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. New Castle Island in Delaware is said to house treasure hidden by pirates from Madagascar in 1699. Gasparilla fell in love with Jeffries while on land, but she informed him that she had fallen in love with one of his crew, Batista Fuentes, a handsome and well-educated man from a famous family. 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. The Choctawatchee Bay is an area of a lot of speculation of the location of some of Bowlegs hidden treasure. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. According to some versions of the story, Gaspar started as a troubled adolescent who kidnapped a little girl for ransom. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. What Became of Anne Bonny, Irish Pirate of the Caribbean? There are many differing versions about the pirates origins and life, but there is no real historical evidence that he ever existed. The family thinks the hand belongs to famous Tampa Bay pirate Jose Gaspar. However, this treasure is also attributed to the infamous pirate Blackbeard. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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. But treasure hunters believe there is truth in his tall tale, and buried treasure is out there. 2. Upon hearing this news, he unloaded his spoils and set sail for America (where he was later arrested and sent back to England). Afterwards, he sailed his ship, the Floridablanca, to the Gulf Coast and set up a pirate base on what is now known as Gasparilla Island in Southwest Florida. 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. The leaflet establishes Gaspars legend, claiming that he chose Gasparilla Island as the best of the islands in Charlotte Harbor to establish his base. According to other versions of the narrative, Gaspar was a nobleman who rose through the ranks of the Spanish Royal Navy and became a councilor to King Charles III of Spain. 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. Retail store with the following - shells, shellcraft, wood carvings, shark teeth and jaws,. However, perhaps the most famous story of Gaspar concerns his death. The prices seem lower, but not my thing. "Possibly keep it forever. Or they were always togahter. I was totally blown away," said Lopez. 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. ", 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. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Starting in 1911, though, the event's founders, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, switched . We're back to the hotel brochure. He spent nearly 30 years plundering ships in and around the gulf coast. This is the spot for all of your seaside decorating needs. 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. If you choose to embark on a hunt for any treasure do so at your own risk. 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. Not much is known of his early life before his pirating career. Interesting history topics are just a click away. The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This endeavor lasted only about 5 years when the us army came to visit Lafitte, asking him to leave. The first written account of Gaspar was written in 1900 when the Charlotte . 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. Louisiana makes sense because during most of his time here, he was considered a fugitive by the US. The brochure relied heavily on the stories told by John Gomez. To add more to the story, the treasure map contained the name of the infamous mythical pirate Gaspar. 1 Review #9 of 11 Shopping in Flagler Beach. A few months ago, Gattuso found a Calusa bone tool that is now part of the Useppa Island museum's collection. Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. If the legend is true, Gasparilla was extremely successful and plundered more than 400 ships. Later that fall, he captured a large French slave ship bound for some sugar plantations. 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. "I'm considering it," he said with a big smile. It's located in Florida, United States.A real, albeit, small treasure chest on a real small island. 2119 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Flagler Beach, FL 32136-2802. We" more 2. In Polish origin the meaning of name Gaspar is : Treasure keeper Spanish Meaning : The name Gaspar is an Spanish baby name. Gaspar realized in this moment that he had found the treasure he was searching for. I love this place built around 1640 . (5) The first written version of Gasparilla appeared in an advertising brochure of the Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Co. printed in 1900. Here is what we have been able to piece together about this controversial pirate. His fleet would capture vessels at sea, and take all the goods back to Galveston. This state also holds another possible location on the banks of Blackbird Creek. His men, who numbered in the hundreds, also buried their smaller caches on these islands. I have never found any real evidence he lived. This story seems to border on the outer limits, but a local historian doesnt believe that the hand belongs to the famed pirate. This is extremely suspect as this is the same location rumored to hide the treasure of Billy Bowlegs Rogers. One day Gasparilla prepared to attack a merchantman, but to his surprise, it turned out to be a United States man-of-war. Hiding treasure under a well constructed fort is a much more logical thought than those previously mentioned. He would then sell these items to local customers in east Texas. To learn more, visit our. He would even compensate for injuries if they were sustained while obtaining cargo from another ship. What year did Gasparilla start? 3. Name of The Day. Jean Lafitte. First of all there was a Spanish Catholic missionary named Gasparillo that had a mission on the island that bears his name. Evidently, though, the treasure is not. They then buried the chests in numerous places along the river and its tributaries and swamps. By Geoff Dobson. Oak Island the Strange, the Bizarre, and Maybe the "Truth! So, a real figure or a tall tale told by Floridians? The legend states that Gaspar terrorized the western coastal waters of Florida in the late 18th to early 19th century. But treasure hunters believe there is truth in his tall tale, and buried treasure is out there. I'm Clint, the guy behind Treasureunknown. 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. One of the most popular pirates in Florida folklore is Jose' Gaspar. Once it was in print, people kept spreading it as absolute truth. The team found a few nails, a beer can, and a screw during this hunt. However, there is another story, that has some validity, of what happened to his treasure. Contributing columnist Jose Gaspar is a news anchor/reporter for Telemundo Bakersfield and KGET. It may not display this or other websites correctly. This Plantation is said to be roughly 5 miles West of the town of Iowa. 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. Gaspar is presented as dignified, noble in heart and rich and titled in some versions. Inside, bound to the box by copper wire, she found a dessicated hand wearing a ring with the word "Gaspar" on . I'm here writing on Treasureunknown to provide helpful resources so others can get out and enjoy the thrill of the hunt! 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. Lafitte was wanted by the US government for they deemed his acts as piracy, not privateering. 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. For whatever reason, burial of chests laden with gold and jewels seems to be the norm, but is there any pirate treasure left? Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by, Jose Gaspar is not the only mythical pirate character that has. 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. ", Pirate treasure in grandpa's attic includes human hand. The 300,000 partiers who will swarm the streets Saturday in Tampa for the annual Gasparilla pirate parade wont care. | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA Notice, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. . The team searched the waters at low tide for a canon buried in the sand. Tales of pirate treasures are very difficult to substantiate due to many factors. Legend has it that in the late 1700s, a pirate named Jose Gaspar kidnapped the Spanish princess Joseffa de Mayorga. He claimed to be one of the few crew members to escape a fateful attack by American pirate hunting schooner USS Enterprise in 1821. Our knowledge of Jean and his brother Pierre begins in the early 1800s. Since 1904, pirates have invaded the City of Tampa to kick off the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. The parade that follows is one of the largest in the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to Tampa Bay. Also check state and local regulations before you begin any activities such as digging or metal detecting. The 300,000 partiers who will swarm the streets Saturday in Tampa for the annual Gasparilla pirate parade won't care. He finally returned with his wife to find all but a handful of his crew had died. 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. "You'll hear more of us, you know; we'll do this until we're old and, you know, can't do it anymore.". Another report states that he hid several chests in a small river somewhere in the vicinity of the Bay. Leaving Spain at an early age, he sailed to the West Coast of Florida. He then sailed back across the world, landing on what we now know as our home of Tampa Bay. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, no pirate was more feared in the southern United States than Jose Gaspar. At The Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. visitors and locals can find treasures of all kinds. As with any treasure hunting adventure, be sure and obtain permission from any applicable parties before your hunt begins. When Gasparilla requested that they accompany him and his crew on a raid, the two young lovers assumed they would be slaughtered. The San Jose galleon was believed to have been . 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. Story continues below video. It's part of our family now.". In it, she introduced herself and wrote that her parents were. Source: Theartofphoto / Adobe Stock. The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. There is another treasure said to be buried on Kelly Island in Delaware by James Gillian, a member of Kidds crew. His sister found a box in their grandfather's attic in Tampa, Fla., a few weeks ago while doing some spring cleaning. 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These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Whether the coins are authentic or not, Mike thinks the hand is real, and may belong to Jose Gaspar himself. 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. Is this the hand and treasure of Jose Gaspar? will support that mission. Treasure hunter Stacey Hunt holds an old nail found under the ground on a wetland believed to have lost treasure. Read another story from us:Norways Saint Olaf Uncovered: Archaeologists Believe They have Discovered the Shrine of the Lost Viking King. Gaspar apparently did not share this attraction and instead gave his attention to other women of the court. In the following years, he accumulated a board estimated at $30,000,000. The legend of Gaspar began making its way into other writings after that, without any other historical evidence to back it up. You must log in or register to reply here. He enjoyed telling stories about his adventures on the high seas and a large amount of Gasparillas treasure that was never discovered. The American Government then decided to get into the act and sent a Navy squadron to end his career. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. But they know long-lost treasures and artifacts are out there. Barnes & Noble Booksellers 10 Bookstores Music & DVDs Toy Stores 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. He vowed revenge on those who had framed him and was forced to turn to a life of piracy. How did the legend of Gaspar begin? Gaspar's legend is one of a murderous, bloodthirsty swashbuckler who stole money from Spain, stole a ship, kidnapped a Spanish Princess, and left a trail of death and gold throughout the high seas. These stories and locations presented are based on our research but should be taken with some skepticism. 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. The team, known as the "Temple Twelve," have been . When it comes to spring cleaning, its always nice to have a spare hand to help. The battle raged and the story goes that as Jose Gaspar realized the inevitable, he stood on the bow of the ship and stated something like Gaspar dies by his own hands. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". A couple of his rancher buddies found him and buried him. 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 . Gasparilla, if he existed, wrapped himself in chain and jumped overboard with both hands still attached. 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? In fact, we dont even know for certain his real name. 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. Who was this figure, and what was he supposed to have done? The parade that follows is one of the largest in the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to Tampa Bay. It appears Philip Gosse got the story from Bradlee's book. These tunnels converged into a large chamber underground. Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. There is not much known about his adventures in Florida but there is rumors of him hiding a large treasure around Choctawatchee Bay. If there is one thing pirates are known for it is treasure. 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 . 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 legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. Strap yourself in for a wild ride and buy this international bestselling book today! Josh Gates sets sail for Florida chasing the long-lost treasure of bloodthirsty pirate Jose Gaspar. The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname 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. Kidd set sail for England and was commissioned as a privateer by the English government. It was a simple wooden box, but inside were fascinating (and macabre) clues to a family mystery. Whilst swimming in Key West, he and a team of specialists find a huge anchor that may have been from Gaspar's vessel. Find the treasure, report it, and go to jail for committing a 3rd Degree Felony. Michael Gattuso and his crew got a cable debut Wednesday night in an episode of Discovery Channel's show "Expedition Unknown." They will be focused on the Florida coastline, right in my back yard. Bald Point is another hotspot but for rumors of pirate treasure. 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. 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 . It's a Small size geocache, with difficulty of 3.5, terrain of 5. (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. Or at least thats what Florida folklore would have you believe. link to A Beginners Guide to Magnet Fishing: 15 Sure Fire Tips. 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). Texas is also a logical location for this pirate to bury treasure. Jos Gaspar. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. He even set up a blockade of the port of Charleston in South Carolina for 6 days. Hitting the scene in the early 1800s Billy Bowlegs Rogers was a pirate to be reckoned with. 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 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. Pricing is not too high. 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). We have one with Gomez's name on it. Flagler Beach, FL 32136. Ancient Viking treasures found in England actually seems to be a thing, as many of relative value have been found throughout the years. There are at least 3 different locations said to hold his riches in Connecticut. Leaving Spain at an early age, he sailed to the West Coast of Florida. So, we stole Jose Gaspar. And to this day, Jose Gaspar returns on board his pirate ship every year to capture the city.". The pirate is one of the most notorious in the history of pirates. Named for legendary pirate, Jose Gaspar, who terrorized the coastal waters of West Florida during the 18th and early 19th centuries, Tampa Bay's destination-wide annual Gasparilla celebration kicks off each January with a full schedule of exciting pirate-themed events. His death seems to come straight from Hollywood. From a four-mile long parade of pirates and period memorabilia on display, to specialty packages and a waterfront half . Charlotte Harbor is an ideal spot to go treasure hunting. (story from treasurelore.com). The Gaspar myth in the very beginning was tied to the Charlotte Harbor area. Seeing the writing on the wall, he decided to scuttle his own ship and hide with his crew in the forrest. Okay, that was. Show more. 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. Magnet fishing is a hobby that is quickly increasing in popularity with good reason. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. Is this your business? Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. The treasure on Money Island is said to hidden in the crevice of a large rock that is only visible during low tide. When he finally realized that it was a warship, it was too late. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. So it would seem that Gasparilla is a fiction, no more real a figure than Mickey Mouse. Treasure Unknown is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. 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 . What remains of Jos Gaspar today are his stories and legends, but most significant of them all is the secret of these mysterious cherries. We have compiled a list of 11 potential pirate treasure troves left unfound.