wtfflorida.com/information/gaspars-lost-treasure/. Accept Read More. Michael Gattuso lends a hand to his wife Lauren as they dock on a wetland on the Peace River in Arcadia. It is said that he and his brother buried all of his money on the islands in and around Charlotte Harbor. The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. Charlotte Harbor is an ideal spot to go treasure hunting. 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. 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. You'll need a boat or kayak for this cache. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. He was most likely a sailor for the English Navy who became unemployed and turned to a life of piracy. 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. This was around the 1870s, after the Civil War. They gave him a first name, Jose Gaspar, and they really gave him the full backstory to create that in 1904. I love this place built around 1640 . Lafayette Street, which is now Kennedy Boulevard is also labeled on the map. 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. On my recent visit, I was on a shell mission to use for a hairpiece for a . When he was wrongfully arrested, he hijacked a ship and fled, promising to seek revenge on his homeland. Strap yourself in for a wild ride and buy this international bestselling book today! Legend has it that in the late 1700s, a pirate named Jose Gaspar kidnapped the Spanish princess Joseffa de Mayorga. Jos Gaspar allegedly lived between 1756 and 1821 and was based on southwest Florida, on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. . The story of Juan Gomez is also published in the Library of Congress. The Legend of Jose Gaspar. Louisiana makes sense because during most of his time here, he was considered a fugitive by the US. 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 . The legend of Gaspar was first recorded in promotional materials for this Boca Grande Hotel. It's a Small size geocache, with difficulty of 3.5, terrain of 5. Gaspar caught wind of his coming doom, and escaped via ship to America. 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 . He finally returned with his wife to find all but a handful of his crew had died. Jose Gaspar (aka: Gasparilla) was a quasi-mythical Spanish pirate who roamed the waters of Tampa Bay, Florida. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. No Result Found. We're back to the hotel brochure. 11 The Cuerdale Treasures- $2.6 Million. Not much is known of his early life before his pirating career. 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. "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. 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. The Choctawatchee Bay is an area of a lot of speculation of the location of some of Bowlegs hidden treasure. The final and perhaps most intriguing possibility is around the Spanish Fort San Carlos in Pensacola. Over and out from somewhere south, RumShopRyan. The rest of the treasure remains hidden, waiting to be found. By booking through these links, the small commission we earn helps us bring you more Caribbean content so that you can save money and have a better island vacation. But they know long-lost treasures and artifacts are out there. Website. 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. While in Florida, Caesar palled up with Jose Gaspar, better known as "Gasparilla.". You must log in or register to reply here. (story from treasurelore.com). Gaspar realized in this moment that he had found the treasure he was searching for. This state also holds another possible location on the banks of Blackbird Creek. 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. "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. His methods were black and bloody, and he stands out among all the pirates who used Florida to bury their wealth. Similar Names. You must log in or register to reply here. So that's why we believe that it was Juan Gomez. Josh Gates sets sail for Florida chasing the long-lost treasure of bloodthirsty pirate Jose Gaspar. He eventually retired and settled down on Shell Creek near Lettuce Lake in DeSoto County, where he lived for many years. 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. 2 chests are also rumored to be buried on Clarkes Island on the Connecticut River. However, there is another story, that has some validity, of what happened to his treasure. If you choose to embark on a hunt for any treasure do so at your own risk. You are using an out of date browser. 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). I'm here writing on Treasureunknown to provide helpful resources so others can get out and enjoy the thrill of the hunt! Decipher the code, and you might find some of Gaspars lost treasure but as fast as Florida changes, dont be surprised if you find a new shopping mall sitting square on top of it. The most notorious and successful pirate was Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. 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 . 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." Youll read about many that are hidden and a few that were found, so it can happen. 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. Find the treasure, don't report it, melt it down or sell it on the black market using a different name. ", Pirate treasure in grandpa's attic includes human hand. The Gaspar myth in the very beginning was tied to the Charlotte Harbor area. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Santa Rosa Island has been sort of a local hotspot for finding bags of gold and silver coins. It appears Philip Gosse got the story from Bradlee's book. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. (5) The first written version of Gasparilla appeared in an advertising brochure of the Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Co. printed in 1900. Another instance of his softer side can be found in the account of Ann Jeffries, an English girl traveling from New Orleans to Liverpool. But the idea of a pirate named Gasparilla (or some variant) goes way back. They will be focused on the Florida coastline, right in my back yard. Old Hand Found In Florida Attic With Coins And Treasure Map. Just like most pirates, there is little known about his early life. However, if they do, they are still up for grabs. However, this treasure is also attributed to the infamous pirate Blackbeard. Rumor has it, that the stolen goods are still hidden somewhere on the island. New details have emerged about the San Jose, a Spanish galleon sunk by British ships 300 years ago. The treasure: Slave-turned-pirate Henri Caesar stole a ship in Haiti to seek his fortune on the Spanish Main and Florida waters. 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. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Here is what we have been able to piece together about this controversial pirate. A unique legend of pirate treasure in Indiana is intriguing. How did the legend of Gaspar begin? "I'm considering it. With the help of the Prime Minster she was able to convincingly spread this rumor leading to Gaspars impending arrest by the king. 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. During the final combat, the majority of Gasparillas crew was killed, but there were 12 survivors 11 men and a cabin boy called Juan Gomez. Despite its long history, there is no definitive origin of the name. In the following years, he accumulated a board estimated at $30,000,000. Is this the hand and treasure of Jose Gaspar? The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. 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. There are a few theories as to the location of a hidden treasure by Lafitte in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. The latter two locations being the most logical. Canny readers will already recognize a certain romantic streak in these stories. So, we stole Jose Gaspar. I was totally blown away," said Lopez. His piratical career always starts with an injustice and he is seen as a lovable rogue rather than a murderous monster. Caesar was forced to push his pirate pack north to the Gulf of Mexico. 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 . While doing some spring cleaning a few weeks ago, Maria Lopez made an unusual discovery in her grandfathers attic. Inside, bound to the box by copper wire, she found a dessicated hand wearing a ring with the word "Gaspar" on . Marias brother Mike believes the couple in the photo may be their great grandparents, Eve and Ernesto Lopez. But Rodney Kite-Powell, a Tampa-Bay curator, doesnt believe that the legendary figure was even real. Many say he buried treasure here during this time. He is even said to have buried treasure somewhere on the island near where the lighthouse now stands. A Net Inceptions project. There is not much known about his adventures in Florida but there is rumors of him hiding a large treasure around Choctawatchee Bay. St. Vincent Island off the coast of Florida is said to have been an island frequented by early pirates. His ship was scuttled in the battle sending the valuables to the bottom of the ocean. "I'm considering it," he said with a big smile. Source of the stories which became inspiration for the legend of Jose Gaspar. You are using an out of date browser. link to A Beginners Guide to Magnet Fishing: 15 Sure Fire Tips. Jos Gaspar. There are numerous legends and tales of buried treasure on this island. Most stories agree he was an aristocratic Spanish Navy Officer who later. The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. Other than news articles, the first story ever published in print about the Story of Gasparilla was commissioned by the Charlotte Harbor & Northern Railroad. Answer: True This is an area where the stories of Gaspar are for once consistent. He found a hillside where he buried 2 pirate chests filled with valuable metals and jewels. 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. Florida at this time was in its Second Spanish Period which runs from 1783 to 1821. I love this place built around 1640 . 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 enjoyed telling stories about his adventures on the high seas and a large amount of Gasparillas treasure that was never discovered. 128 were here. ", 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. ", "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. Flagler Beach, FL 32136. link to 8 Super Fun Family Treasure Hunt Ideas: With Real Treasure. They took the box to a few antique stores around Tampa and the contents were described as "gruesome and authentic.". Jose Gaspar Treasure 2119 N Ocean Shore Blvd Flagler Beach FL 32136 (386) 439-3061 Claim this business (386) 439-3061 Website More Directions Advertisement Photos See More Hours Wed: 11am - 5pm Thu: 11am - 5pm Fri: 11am - 5pm Sat: 11am - 5pm Sun: 12pm - 5pm Website Take me there Jewelers Nice Shell Shop. If we find that buried treasure together, we can split the booty among all of our readers and we never have to work again. Spending most of his time here and running a larger business would provide ample opportunity and necessity to hide valuables. Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. Josh is on a mission to find Jos Gaspar's hidden treasure. In all, he buried 13 casks and chests of treasure in the vicinity of his headquarters. Buumi . I love searching for all types of "treasures" with my family. 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. Whether the coins are authentic or not, Mike thinks the hand is real, and may belong to Jose Gaspar himself. 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. This treasure as well as the tunnels remain lost. The prices seem lower, but not my thing. Our knowledge of Jean and his brother Pierre begins in the early 1800s. For whatever reason, burial of chests laden with gold and jewels seems to be the norm, but is there any pirate treasure left? New Castle Island in Delaware is said to house treasure hidden by pirates from Madagascar in 1699. 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. We have compiled a list of 11 potential pirate treasure troves left unfound. The vessel was said to be transporting gold, silver and precious gems collected in the South . 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. Source: Theartofphoto / Adobe Stock. Icelanders and the Huldufolk: A Nation Gripped by Farinis Great Discovery: Is there a Lost City Top Ten Knights of King Arthurs Round Table. May 4, 1904Gasparilla Pirate Festival / First event date. 1. 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. The San Jose galleon was believed to have been . The pirate is one of the most notorious in the history of pirates. As the legends go, the famed Spanish pirate Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla, used the island as his home base of operations throughout the late 18th century and into the early 19th century. However, perhaps the most famous story of Gaspar concerns his death. 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/. The map is estimated to be from the 1930s and shows the Tampa area. Here Lafitte had a very fair treasure distribution policy that everyone seemed to like. 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 city of Tampa hosts a Gasparilla Day each year. His fleet would capture vessels at sea, and take all the goods back to Galveston. He met and married his wife in New York and had 2 daughters. He told where the body would be found and a sketch was prepared under his direction, and in recent years in the exact location as described, the skeleton of a beheaded woman was found.". Tales of pirate treasures are very difficult to substantiate due to many factors. He confirmed that indeed the Lopezes have found a real human hand, but as for Gasparilla, that was a myth. This story seems to border on the outer limits, but a local historian doesnt believe that the hand belongs to the famed pirate. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Pirate Blackbeard entered the history books in the early 1700s. Before deciding to pursue this ship, Gaspar left some of his men behind with the treasure. "It's a bunch of heartbreak with little reward and a lot of imagination," said treasure hunter Erin Melcher. The story goes that Lafitte and his men used an old barn on LeBleau Plantation as a gathering location and perhaps buried treasure here. Professional blogger, rum judge, consultant, marketer, and consumer of blue water beauty. Save. The American Government then decided to get into the act and sent a Navy squadron to end his career. We are constantly looking for opportunities to metal detect, magnet fish, pan for gold, and search for real life lost treasures. Bald Point is another hotspot but for rumors of pirate treasure. The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. will support that mission. He remembers their grandfather telling stories when they were children of Ernesto finding the treasure of Tampa Bay pirate legend Jose Gaspar. His headquarters were at Boca Grande, on what is today known as Gasparilla Island. There have been many stories told of treasure Captain Kidd buried back in America. His men, who numbered in the hundreds, also buried their smaller caches on these islands. Okay, that was. Sarasota's Michael Gattuso and members of his . The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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 Blackbeard also spend some time in North Carolina, in fact he secured a Royal Pardon in the town of Bath. 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. There's really no way to know which is the case," Maria wrote, in an email to WTSP-TV. But, now? 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. His death seems to come straight from Hollywood. We have seven maps.". Mike Lopez said his sister was not expecting to find a human hand, a treasure map, and gold coins. Upon hearing this news, he unloaded his spoils and set sail for America (where he was later arrested and sent back to England). Gaspar is presented as dignified, noble in heart and rich and titled in some versions. In this time Spain controlled a huge swathe of the Americas and Gaspar grew rich. Or show us love by sharing articles and leaving great comments. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The rest of the treasure remains hidden, waiting to be found. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. If there is one thing pirates are known for it is treasure. Paluska and ABC Action News photojournalist Reed Moeller took a 20-minute ferry ride from Pine Island to Useppa Island, the location where Gaspar is said to have beheaded a Spanish Princess. Leaving Spain at an early age, he sailed to the West Coast of Florida. In the late 1600s a Scottish sailor named William Kidd came to America. Billy left the vast majority of his crew behind and sailed north to gather supplies to salvage his ship. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, no pirate was more feared in the southern United States than Jose Gaspar. Another report states that he hid several chests in a small river somewhere in the vicinity of the Bay. According to archives, the island community was created by Albert W. Gilchrist, Floridas 20th governor. 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. Legend has it that Gasparilla spotted a huge ship sailing in the distance. According to some versions of the story, Gaspar started as a troubled adolescent who kidnapped a little girl for ransom. 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). Jean Lafitte. Jose Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia: Politician: Capricon: 06 January 1766 AD . Lets do this. Ancient Viking treasures found in England actually seems to be a thing, as many of relative value have been found throughout the years. Treasure hunter Stacey Hunt holds an old nail found under the ground on a wetland believed to have lost treasure. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Gasparilla began on horseback in 1904 as a way to add a little pirate-themed fun to the city's May Day festivities. Supposedly this fort had hidden tunnels leading under the fort. 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. When it comes to spring cleaning, its always nice to have a spare hand to help. 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 . Treasure hunter Erin Melcher drives his boat as Michael Gattuso navigates directions to a wetland believed to have lost treasure on the Peace River in Arcadia on Sunday, January 13, 2019.
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