So, we stole Jose Gaspar. Chasing Treasure: The myth of Gasparilla and the real-life man Juan Gomez Josh is on a mission to find Jos Gaspar's hidden treasure. There is not much known about his adventures in Florida but there is rumors of him hiding a large treasure around Choctawatchee Bay. 128 were here. Gasparilla 2023: The pirate party master list. Canny readers will already recognize a certain romantic streak in these stories. St. Vincent Island off the coast of Florida is said to have been an island frequented by early pirates. Josh joins marine archaeologists and treasure hunters working to crack the mysteries of the pirate's life so they can find the riches he left behind. They took the box to a few antique stores around Tampa and the contents were described as "gruesome and authentic.". This hoard was allegedly buried by a group of pirates in the early 1800s. This location is said to be on the southern end at False Live Oak Point. In it, she introduced herself and wrote that her parents were. When he was wrongfully arrested, he hijacked a ship and fled, promising to seek revenge on his homeland. Treasure hunter Erin Melcher. By Geoff Dobson. It does not store any personal data. The Story of Gasparilla by ABC Action News on Scribd. He was sentenced to prison and eventually released. What year did Jose Gaspar invade Tampa? Strap yourself in for a wild ride and buy this international bestselling book today! The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Much of his treasure was carried to him up the Peace River. The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. The pirate, whose full name is Jos Gaspar, is a legend from the 18th and 19th century. Shopping, Gift & Specialty Shops. 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. USEPPA ISLAND, Fla. Most, if not all, historians agree the pirate named Jose Gaspar never existed. Enjoy. Gasparilla: Was the Legendary Spanish Pirate Jose Gaspar Real? Have you ever hunted a treasure story? | Friendly Metal Detecting Forum We have seven maps.". 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. Treasure on Sunken Spanish Galleon Could Be Biggest Ever - History It's located on the north side of town, next door to the Turtle Shack cafe. (3) The Spanish kept meticulous records and there is no mention of Gasparilla in the archives. The most notorious and successful pirate was Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla. Jos Gaspar - Wikiwand Another instance of his softer side can be found in the account of Ann Jeffries, an English girl traveling from New Orleans to Liverpool. Jose Gaspar (aka: Gasparilla) was a quasi-mythical Spanish pirate who roamed the waters of Tampa Bay, Florida. Overview. Since the 1870s, treasure hunters have been trying unsuccessfully to crack this code you see below: Some say its Spanish. Jose Gaspar - A Real Pirate? | TreasureNet The Original Treasure Or show us love by sharing articles and leaving great comments. However there are several problems with the story which have led many to question whether Gasparilla as he was known was a real historical figure. 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). He enjoyed telling stories about his adventures on the high seas and a large amount of Gasparillas treasure that was never discovered. The map is estimated to be from the 1930s and shows the Tampa area. He supposedly buried large amounts of treasures on the islands around the bay. 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. Bipin Dimri is a writer from India with an educational background in Management Studies. When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. We also participate in programs from eBay, CJ, Bluehost, Clickbank, ShareASale, and other sites. All of it is built around the story of Gaspar. The Search For The Real Captain Morgan. Marias brother Mike believes the couple in the photo may be their great grandparents, Eve and Ernesto Lopez. The family thinks the hand belongs to famous Tampa Bay pirate Jose Gaspar. . RECOMMENDED: The legend of Jose Gaspar and the history of Gasparilla. As promised here is the start of your Pirate Treasure stories. What date is Gasparilla 2021? Source of the stories which became inspiration for the legend of Jose Gaspar. 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. "I'm considering it. Spain and Great Britain were adversaries in the complex tangle of European politics . "It's a bunch of heartbreak with little reward and a lot of imagination," said treasure hunter Erin Melcher. wtfflorida.com/information/gaspars-lost-treasure/. Cleaning the dreaded attic turned up a darling wedding photo of the Lopezes grandparents, but it also uncovered some interesting but creepy finds. 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? Strap yourself in for a wild ride and buy this international bestselling book today! It appears Philip Gosse got the story from Bradlee's book. Upon returning he discovered that he had been labeled a pirate by the British government. A fisherman at Stafford Point in Connecticut is rumored to have spotted some pirates burying a heavy looking chest at Stratford Point in Connecticut during the late 1600s. Treasure hunter Michael Gattuso paddles a boat toward the dock where part of his crew Stacey Hunt, Erin Melcher and Lauren Gattuso wait for him near Nav-A-Gators Bar and Grill. Mike Lopez tells WFLA that his sister was. Professional blogger, rum judge, consultant, marketer, and consumer of blue water beauty. One of the most popular pirates in Florida folklore is Jose' Gaspar. GC3FZAF Jose Gaspar (Traditional Cache) in Florida, United States The ship at the center of it all: A history of the Jose Gasparilla II Jose Gaspar has come in handy for parades and celebrations. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. To learn more, visit our. "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. . When Jose Gaspar died, he supposedly left an untold fortune in buried treasure somewhere along the Florida coast. Lafitte was wanted by the US government for they deemed his acts as piracy, not privateering. Accept Read More. For whatever reason, burial of chests laden with gold and jewels seems to be the norm, but is there any pirate treasure left? There are also inherent dangers involved with any of these types of adventures. One of his ships has been discovered in the waters off of North Carolina and definitely proven to belong to Blackbeard. He spoke to local TV news network WFLA about the discovery, and the story kept getting stranger. Inside was a tattered map of the Hillsborough River, century-old coins, a family picture and a hand wearing a ring. Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. So it is a huge, huge draw for people to come to Tampa.". 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. There are many differing versions about the pirates origins and life, but there is no real historical evidence that he ever existed. Jos Gaspar allegedly lived between 1756 and 1821 and was based on southwest Florida, on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. Our knowledge of Jean and his brother Pierre begins in the early 1800s. 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 . "We are not sure what we're going to do with it," said Lopez. He found a hillside where he buried 2 pirate chests filled with valuable metals and jewels. Human hand found in Florida attic with coins, treasure map - ajc A couple of his rancher buddies found him and buried him. Were There Pirates In Tampa Bay? - On Secret Hunt You must log in or register to reply here. Gaspar apparently did not share this attraction and instead gave his attention to other women of the court. These stories really get your imagination scrambling about finding buried riches yourself. The allures of Jose Gaspar's mythical treasure and Tampa's giant pirate parade have pulled strongly on producers of reality television lately. Plundering the high seas and ports alike resulted in vast riches for some of these ruthless criminals. Interesting history topics are just a click away. Jose Gaspar Treasure - Flagler Beach, FL - Yelp The parade that follows is one of the largest in the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to Tampa Bay. Box allegedly containing Gaspars hand and related items Photo Credit. 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). Gattuso leads a a small group called the The Treasure Hunters who spend their weekends hiking the wilderness near the Peace River in search of lost treasure believed to have been left behind by Jose Gaspar. 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. In or around 1806 the brothers arrived in New Orleans Louisiana and were licensed privateers operating in the Gulf of Mexico. But Gasparilla himself did not survive the final battle. Hiding treasure under a well constructed fort is a much more logical thought than those previously mentioned. This story seems to border on the outer limits, but a local historian doesnt believe that the hand belongs to the famed pirate. . It's part of our family now.". Santa Rosa Island has been sort of a local hotspot for finding bags of gold and silver coins. Do secret rooms conceal unknown treasures? New Castle Island in Delaware is said to house treasure hidden by pirates from Madagascar in 1699. $150 Million Dollar Treasure Found On A Beach By Accident The vessel was said to be transporting gold, silver and precious gems collected in the South . Jose Gaspar Treasure 6 Jewelry Gift Shops Bookstores $ "We went in looking for a lite shark tooth for our son. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Finally Pirates Cove, which is on the southern tip of Connecticut may house these valuable chests. Email him at elcompa29@gmail.com. Many ship captains and pirates alike came to Lafitte and could sign articles to become a part of his pirate fleet. This characterization continues through the stories of Gasparilla as a pirate. The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. On the Hawaiian island of Oahu there is said to be six chests buried along a stone wall somewhere around Kaena Point. The Search for Florida's Lost Pirate: With Josh Gates, Shamus Warren, Rodney Kite-Powell, Michael Gattuso. Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. Gasparilla seized her ship, and the hostages were brought to his hideout on Gasparilla Island. What remains of Jos Gaspar today are his stories and legends, but most significant of them all is the secret of these mysterious cherries. There's really no way to know which is the case," Maria wrote, in an email to WTSP-TV. Find the treasure, don't report it, melt it down or sell it on the black market using a different name. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Some speculate that this is remnants of Rogers great treasure. 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. 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. 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 . We're back to the hotel brochure. Jose Gaspar | bakersfield.com ", Pirate treasure in grandpa's attic includes human hand. Pricing is not too high. I'm here writing on Treasureunknown to provide helpful resources so others can get out and enjoy the thrill of the hunt! He confirmed that indeed the Lopezes have found a real human hand, but as for Gasparilla, that was a myth. The rest of the treasure remains hidden, waiting to be found. 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! All my curanderos, check out the first word on the second line play the song below for inspiration: Please support WTFFlorida.com by making a donation. Most confirm that the "Floridablanca" was the name of his pirate ship and the one that he served upon in the Navy. In the 1690s a war broke out between England and France. Blackbeard also spend some time in North Carolina, in fact he secured a Royal Pardon in the town of Bath. Icelanders and the Huldufolk: A Nation Gripped by Farinis Great Discovery: Is there a Lost City Top Ten Knights of King Arthurs Round Table. The team searched the waters at low tide for a canon buried in the sand. 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. 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. There have been many stories told of treasure Captain Kidd buried back in America. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The author of the pamphlet readily stated that the spectacular tale was a work of fiction with no genuine facts in it. Pirate Treasure on Goodland in Southwest Florida - LITTLE BAR Restaurant 3. Contributing columnist Jose Gaspar is a news anchor/reporter for Telemundo Bakersfield and KGET. Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. 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. The choice of the navy career wasn't courage and thirst for adventure on the part of Jose but an expediency of the moment. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Tyrons Landing located between the towns of Wethersfield and Naubuc. Florida's Pirate Jose Gaspar and his Treasure Story 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. You'll need a boat or kayak for this cache. Shipwrecks: Who owns the treasure hidden under the sea? If marriage was selected, there would be a ceremony, and the marriage promise would be strictly enforced. However, if they do, they are still up for grabs. 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. He quickly worked his way up the ranks of the Spanish Navy and became an officer. Millions of dollars have been found literally lying in front of people's feet, the world's beaches. Gaspar - Meaning of Gaspar Name, Boy Gaspar Origin and Astrology John Gomez, also known as Juan Gomez and Panther John. Latest Blog . When it comes to spring cleaning, its always nice to have a spare hand to help. The pirate is one of the most notorious in the history of pirates. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. Is this your business? (story from treasurelore.com). Mike Lopez said his sister was not expecting to find a human hand, a treasure map, and gold coins. 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. So that's why we believe that it was Juan Gomez. Also check state and local regulations before you begin any activities such as digging or metal detecting. The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is a gripping, heart-pounding action adventure that's akin to a modern-day Indiana Jones story. Legends tell how he amassed a huge fortune, and hid an enormous treasure before dying a hero facing the might of the US Navy. Definitely try, Find our recommended Caribbean hotels, restaurants, charters, & tours. 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. Florida's Pirate Jose Gaspar and his Treasure Story There is another treasure said to be buried on Kelly Island in Delaware by James Gillian, a member of Kidds crew. JOSE GASPAR: 15 years later, Telemundo is still the only Spanish On one occasion, his right-hand man Lopez had become tired of the pirate life and desired to return to Spain to see his love, Sanibel, after 13 long years. The story goes that Lafitte and his men used an old barn on LeBleau Plantation as a gathering location and perhaps buried treasure here. It seems the mythical pirate was a tall tale concocted by a man named Juan Gmez. Jean Lafitte. "Possibly keep it forever. 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. He renamed this ship Queen Anns Revenger which gave him one of the largest fleets on the East coast of America and Caribbean. Legend has it that in the late 1700s, a pirate named Jose Gaspar kidnapped the Spanish princess Joseffa de Mayorga. (PDF) The Real Pirate Billy Bowlegs: The Origins of the Billy Bowlegs Evidently, though, the treasure is not. 2009-2021 Historic Mysteries. Or at least thats what Florida folklore would have you believe. Just pick any island and start digging, because Gasparillas loot is buried on many of them, including Cayo Pelau. "We do have some treasure maps, and we're working on them," Gattuso said. Barnes & Noble Booksellers 10 Bookstores Music & DVDs Toy Stores Jose Gaspar Treasure Co | Flagler Beach, FL 32136 Historic City Memories: Pirate treasure rumors As with any tale of vast hidden riches, these stories can not be 100 percent verified to even exist. Who created the man who is now a legend? Many say he buried treasure here during this time. If the legend is true, Gasparilla was extremely successful and plundered more than 400 ships. Leaving soon? However, there is another story, that has some validity, of what happened to his treasure. It's light on history and heavy on action, suspense, and intrigue. Just a salty pirate looking to explore and document the wonders of the Caribbean. Hitting the scene in the early 1800s Billy Bowlegs Rogers was a pirate to be reckoned with. It is said that Captain Kidd came ashore here. 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 team used metal detectors and shovels but didn't find anything. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 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. No Result Found. But treasure hunters believe there is truth in his tall tale, and buried treasure is out there. My grandfather had a book on all these when I was younger. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 15 Lost Treasures People Actually Found | TheRichest He spent nearly 30 years plundering ships in and around the gulf coast. A treasure said to be worth $30 million. Before deciding to pursue this ship, Gaspar left some of his men behind with the treasure. Website. Jose Gaspar Treasure Company | Flagler Beach FL What year did Gasparilla start? Hand in Tampa Attic Stirs Up Memories of Dread Pirate Gaspar The team, known as the "Temple Twelve," have been . We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. All had been going along fine for Gasparilla until the year 1822. Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. 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. Texas is also a logical location for this pirate to bury 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 first written account of Gaspar was written in 1900 when the Charlotte . As the story goes, the pirate Jose Gaspar was hunting for the USS Enterprise in 1821; onboard was Juan Gmez, the man who lived to tell the tale. Available at: https://www.wfla.com/news/gasparilla/history-of-gasparilla-jose-gaspar-his-krewe/, ymkg, 2022. Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. The story of Juan Gomez is also published in the Library of Congress. But Rodney Kite-Powell, a Tampa-Bay curator, doesn't believe that the legendary figure was even real. How did the legend of Gaspar begin? The history of Gasparilla and legacy of Jose Gaspar | wtsp.com The items found by his sister were neatly packed inside a wooden box. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Some historians say Caesar has between two-and-six million dollars of treasure stashed on Pine Island. 2119 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Flagler Beach, FL 32136-2802. "We go after Juan Gomez because everything, all the treasures and everything we've come through, is tied to him. Though he is a popular figure in Florida folklore, no evidence of his existence appears in writing before the early 20th century. 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 treasure on Money Island is said to hidden in the crevice of a large rock that is only visible during low tide. 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. Not being able to pass up this giant score, he pursed the ship that was flying a British flag. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Sarasota's Michael Gattuso and members of his . These wealthy civilizations flourished for hundreds of years spreading From a four-mile long parade of pirates and period memorabilia on display, to specialty packages and a waterfront half . Or they were always togahter. He was most likely a sailor for the English Navy who became unemployed and turned to a life of piracy. Top Image: Real pirate or later fiction? Pirate treasure rumors. Whilst swimming in Key West, he and a team of specialists find a huge anchor that may have been from Gaspar's vessel. 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. The Pirates of Charlotte Harbor Caesar was forced to push his pirate pack north to the Gulf of Mexico. Ye be walkin the plank if ye so think. These stories and locations presented are based on our research but should be taken with some skepticism. Jose Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia: Politician: Capricon: 06 January 1766 AD . The Legend of Jose Gaspar. In the late 1600s a Scottish sailor named William Kidd came to America. The San Jose galleon was believed to have been . 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.

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