We've been chasing his treasures. Chasing Treasure: The myth of Gasparilla and the real-life man Juan Gomez. The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. The city of Tampa hosts a Gasparilla Day each year. 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. If you choose to embark on a hunt for any treasure do so at your own risk. He renamed this ship Queen Anns Revenger which gave him one of the largest fleets on the East coast of America and Caribbean. The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure - CAROLYN ARNOLD Gasparilla had fallen into a trap! "Maybe my great-grandparents were pirates," Mike Lopez said. He would then sell these items to local customers in east Texas. However, this treasure is also attributed to the infamous pirate Blackbeard. 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. 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. 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. Whether he was his cabin boy, like it states in the story, or maybe he might have been Gasparilla himself because of all the treasure maps that we have found. He met and married his wife in New York and had 2 daughters. The story states that Rogers discovered these lost tunnels and used them to store his treasure. jose gaspar, coins, and treasuremap found. The legend of Gaspar was first recorded in promotional materials for this Boca Grande Hotel. 1. Pricing is not too high. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. A Tampa, Florida family going through their grandparent's attic made an interesting discovery: a treasure map, some coins, and an old human hand! Inside, bound to the box by copper wire, she found a dessicated hand wearing a ring with the word "Gaspar" on . Born in 1756 in Spain, Gaspar served in the Spanish Navy until a mutiny in 1783. The team found a few nails, a beer can, and a screw during this hunt. The first written account of Gaspar was written in 1900 when the Charlotte . Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Company are said to have distributed the brochures. "I'm considering it," he said with a big smile. Bipin Dimri is a writer from India with an educational background in Management Studies. There are also inherent dangers involved with any of these types of adventures. 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. Spain and Great Britain were adversaries in the complex tangle of European politics . The latter two locations being the most logical. 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. But Rodney Kite-Powell, a Tampa-Bay curator, doesn't believe that the legendary figure was even real. As mentioned above one of the rumored locations for his treasure is on Woodland Beach in Delaware. The History of Gasparilla - Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla Gaspar - Meaning of Gaspar Name, Boy Gaspar Origin and Astrology Jose Gaspar - A Real Pirate? | TreasureNet The Original Treasure Wikipedia, 2022. When he was wrongfully arrested, he hijacked a ship and fled, promising to seek revenge on his homeland. 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. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Gasparilla had decided to retire following the sale of Florida to the United States, and was dividing his treasure (valued at six times the purchase price of the entire state of Florida) between his crew. Lets do this. Gasparilla seized their ship, as well as their 11 dowries, but fell madly in love with the Spanish princess. His piratical career always starts with an injustice and he is seen as a lovable rogue rather than a murderous monster. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co | Flagler Beach, FL 32136. "We go after Juan Gomez because everything, all the treasures and everything we've come through, is tied to him. Accept Read More. Over and out from somewhere south, RumShopRyan. The Severed Hand of Florida Pirate Jose Gaspar Found in Attic! But treasure hunters believe there is truth in his tall tale, and buried treasure is out there. Legacy | Useppa Island It is said that he buried a multitude of treasure along the Pamlico Sound and on Bluff Point. Tyrons Landing located between the towns of Wethersfield and Naubuc. The final and perhaps most intriguing possibility is around the Spanish Fort San Carlos in Pensacola. 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. There are numerous legends and tales of buried treasure on this island. It seems the mythical pirate was a tall tale concocted by a man named Juan Gmez. (story from treasurelore.com). But treasure hunters believe there is truth in his tall tale, and buried treasure is out there. This story seems to border on the outer limits, but a local historian doesnt believe that the hand belongs to the famed pirate. Old hand, coins and treasure map found in Florida attic - The Vintage News Once again our legend states that he hid 3 large chests among a group of trees on San Jose Island. Plundering the high seas and ports alike resulted in vast riches for some of these ruthless criminals. Who was this figure, and what was he supposed to have done? I was totally blown away," said Lopez. 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. 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. As with any treasure hunting adventure, be sure and obtain permission from any applicable parties before your hunt begins. To add more to the story, the treasure map contained the name of the infamous mythical pirate Gaspar. Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State He has written for 8 years in a variety of fields including history, health and politics. "We are not sure what we're going to do with it," said Lopez. ", 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. Do you think there's buried treasure out there? https://wtfflorida.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/17-Oru-Para-Todos-Los-Santos-Part-1-Eleggua.mp3, Its gonna be really f*cking cold in Florida; impending snow, death, mayhem, Andrew Van Sickle assigned as prosecutor in the infamous shark case, Lets Make Florida Slightly Less Fucked Up, Alligator attacks Peace River swimmer in Arcadia, Florida Man Cuts off Gator Tail to Impress Girlfriend and Tries to Sell it to Neighbors, Traffic stop leads to meth arrest in Silver Springs. 2009-2021 Historic Mysteries. Mike Lopez said his sister was not expecting to find a human hand, a treasure map, and gold coins. Jos Gaspar. But Gasparilla himself did not survive the final battle. It is said that Captain Kidd came ashore here. Gaspar apparently did not share this attraction and instead gave his attention to other women of the court. Gasparilla Season | Visit Tampa Bay What year did Jose Gaspar invade Tampa? He subsequently set fire to all his buildings before sailing out to sea, never to be heard from again. "It's a bunch of heartbreak with little reward and a lot of imagination," said treasure hunter Erin Melcher. "So, it's interesting how Tampa, in a sense, stole; we were pirates ourselves. And she actually had maps, and she had stories that were passed down to the family about these treasures. What remains of Jos Gaspar today are his stories and legends, but most significant of them all is the secret of these mysterious cherries. Jose Gaspar | bakersfield.com The team used metal detectors and shovels but didn't find anything. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 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. And he's fueled a cottage industry of treasure-hunting books, guides and metal . Jose Gaspar Treasure 6 Jewelry Gift Shops Bookstores $ "We went in looking for a lite shark tooth for our son. The Legend of the Pirate Gasparilla | Coastal History 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. There have been many stories told of treasure Captain Kidd buried back in America. 2119 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Flagler Beach, FL 32136-2802. 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. Mysterious box containing a map, coins and a mummified hand found in Tampa Bay attic. However, if they do, they are still up for grabs. Shopping, Gift & Specialty Shops. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co | Flagler Beach, FL 32136 To learn more, visit our. Sarasota's Michael Gattuso and members of his . What Became of Anne Bonny, Irish Pirate of the Caribbean? His methods were black and bloody, and he stands out among all the pirates who used Florida to bury their wealth. 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 ship contained $1,000,000 in assorted treasure, and should be there today. Finally Pirates Cove, which is on the southern tip of Connecticut may house these valuable chests. Florida at this time was in its Second Spanish Period which runs from 1783 to 1821. The allures of Jose Gaspar's mythical treasure and Tampa's giant pirate parade have pulled strongly on producers of reality television lately. "The reason I believe in Gasparilla is because I believe in Juan Gomez," Mike Gattuso, a member of The Real Treasure Hunters, told Paluska. Rumor has it, that the stolen goods are still hidden somewhere on the island. ", 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: More myth than man - baynews9.com Read another story from us:Norways Saint Olaf Uncovered: Archaeologists Believe They have Discovered the Shrine of the Lost Viking King. The author of the pamphlet readily stated that the spectacular tale was a work of fiction with no genuine facts in it. On my recent visit, I was on a shell mission to use for a hairpiece for a . The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. So that's why we believe that it was Juan Gomez. Other possible locations of Kidds treasure include Maryland in Druid Park, and Money Island off the coast of Connecticut is also claimed to be used by Kidd. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Mike Lopez tells WFLA that his sister was. USEPPA ISLAND, Fla. Most, if not all, historians agree the pirate named Jose Gaspar never existed. 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. Another report states that he hid several chests in a small river somewhere in the vicinity of the Bay. Some more information on the cruise of the USS, I did not find a reference to Gaspar in Gardner Allen's, I was always Told Jose Gaspar, was also known as Juan Gomez. Most confirm that the "Floridablanca" was the name of his pirate ship and the one that he served upon in the Navy. Who created the man who is now a legend? Lafitte was wanted by the US government for they deemed his acts as piracy, not privateering. Is There Any Pirate Treasure Left? - treasure unknown 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 This particular lost treasure consists of a bunch of silver coins, ingots and even pieces of jewelry. Jose Gaspar has come in handy for parades and celebrations. Whilst swimming in Key West, he and a team of specialists find a huge anchor that may have been from Gaspar's vessel. When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. John Gomez, also known as Juan Gomez and Panther John. 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. His ship was scuttled in the battle sending the valuables to the bottom of the ocean. He was well-liked in court, but when he abandoned one lover for another, his spurned lover falsely accused him of stealing the crown jewels. 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. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. "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. 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. Treasure hunters seeking Gasparilla's gold featured on Discovery and Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Gaspar, Sachs, S, 2022. 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. Jean Lafitte. (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. When Jose Gaspar died, he supposedly left an untold fortune in buried treasure somewhere along the Florida coast. The map is estimated to be from the 1930s and shows the Tampa area. Some say it reveals compass bearings around Lettuce Lake. His flagship was eventually ran aground and he was ultimately killed by English warships off the East Coast of America. $ 6 reviews. Most of the suspected locations are in and around the state of Florida. Historic Mysteries provides captivating articles on archaeology, history, and unexplained mysteries. When Jose Gaspar died, he supposedly left an untold fortune in buried treasure somewhere along the Florida coast. The experts dont believe that their find is a real treasure map or that the legend of Gaspar is anything more than children story or a folk tale that adds to the culture of the area. Many say he buried treasure here during this time. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. 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. The story of the famed pirate may have been the tall tale of a U.S. naval officer. The 300,000 partiers who will swarm the streets Saturday in Tampa for the annual Gasparilla pirate parade won't care. So it is a huge, huge draw for people to come to Tampa.". I love this place built around 1640 . In fact, we dont even know for certain his real name. With Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses, How We Became Mr. and Mrs. Starting in 1911, though, the event's founders, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, switched . 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 . 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. If the legend is true, Gasparilla was extremely successful and plundered more than 400 ships. Instead, he pursued a merchant ship and insisted that it convey Batista and Ann Jeffries to England and that its captain marry them on board after they were out of sight of his ship, the Jose Gasparilla II. 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. Save. Youll read about many that are hidden and a few that were found, so it can happen. When a ship was taken, the people aboard were not immediately murdered but instead offered the option of dying or joining Gasparillas crew. Aged Rum. Shipwrecks: Who owns the treasure hidden under the sea? 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. One day Gasparilla prepared to attack a merchantman, but to his surprise, it turned out to be a United States man-of-war. jose gaspar, coins, and treasuremap found. | TreasureNet The Original Cleaning the dreaded attic turned up a darling wedding photo of the Lopezes grandparents, but it also uncovered some interesting but creepy finds. Jos Gaspar - Wikipedia The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. Canny readers will already recognize a certain romantic streak in these stories. Magnet fishing is a hobby that is quickly increasing in popularity with good reason. There is another treasure said to be buried on Kelly Island in Delaware by James Gillian, a member of Kidds crew. Photos show a centuries-old shipwreck found off Colombia's coast carrying lost treasure worth billions of dollars, including gold coins and emeralds. As with any tale of vast hidden riches, these stories can not be 100 percent verified to even exist. Jose Gaspar commandeered the 'Floridablanca', the ship upon which he was serving, to commence his life of piracy. They took the box to a few antique stores around Tampa and the contents were described as "gruesome and authentic.". Our knowledge of Jean and his brother Pierre begins in the early 1800s. 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. But, now? Barnes & Noble Booksellers 10 Bookstores Music & DVDs Toy Stores The pirate is one of the most notorious in the history of pirates. Available at: https://www.wfla.com/news/gasparilla/history-of-gasparilla-jose-gaspar-his-krewe/, ymkg, 2022. 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. | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA Notice, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Gasparilla seized her ship, and the hostages were brought to his hideout on Gasparilla Island. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. 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. Supposedly this fort had hidden tunnels leading under the fort. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. "They were the ones that profited from the story to attract visitors to their new train stop and hotel (Gasparilla Inn)," Crystal Diff, Executive Director of the Boca Grande Historical Society and History Center, wrote in an email. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. I love searching for all types of "treasures" with my family. Treasure hunter and researcher Lauren Gattuso sits on the boat as it heads toward an area where her and a small group of treasure hunters believe lies lost treasure. Thread starter seeker41; Start date Apr 29, 2015 Apr 29, 2015 Oak Island the Strange, the Bizarre, and Maybe the "Truth! Once it was in print, people kept spreading it as absolute truth. For one, there is no evidence of his pirate empire. Icelanders and the Huldufolk: A Nation Gripped by Farinis Great Discovery: Is there a Lost City Top Ten Knights of King Arthurs Round Table. We are constantly looking for opportunities to metal detect, magnet fish, pan for gold, and search for real life lost treasures. But Rodney Kite-Powell, a Tampa-Bay curator, doesnt believe that the legendary figure was even real. In 1705 the group was killed by French traders who were tired of being robbed by these men. This state also holds another possible location on the banks of Blackbird Creek. Hiding treasure under a well constructed fort is a much more logical thought than those previously mentioned. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". link to A Beginners Guide to Magnet Fishing: 15 Sure Fire Tips. Inspired by the Legend of Pirate Jose Gaspar - Ye Mystic Krewe of 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. His methods were black and bloody, and he stands out among all the pirates who used Florida to bury their wealth. And to this day, Jose Gaspar returns on board his pirate ship every year to capture the city.". In it, she introduced herself and wrote that her parents were. According to archives, the island community was created by Albert W. Gilchrist, Floridas 20th governor. Peace River treasure hunters make cable TV debut in search of Professional blogger, rum judge, consultant, marketer, and consumer of blue water beauty. Did Grandpa find pirate treasure? They bribed the owner with some of the treasure to not divulge their location. Overview. Kidd set sail for England and was commissioned as a privateer by the English government. Ill post one a week Treasure Tuesdaysthis that lame? Historic Mysteries is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. This is extremely suspect as this is the same location rumored to hide the treasure of Billy Bowlegs Rogers. Interesting history topics are just a click away. 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 . 2 chests are also rumored to be buried on Clarkes Island on the Connecticut River. Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. You must log in or register to reply here. Gaspar realized in this moment that he had found the treasure he was searching for. (386) 439-3061. 2. This was around the 1870s, after the Civil War. What year did Gasparilla start? Jose Gaspar Treasure Company | Flagler Beach FL JavaScript is disabled. Fastened inside the box with copper wire is an old wedding photo, 18th century Spanish and Portuguese coins, a 1930s map of the Hillsborough River and a mummified hand wearing a ring. The Gasparilla Inn was a hotel on the island. JavaScript is disabled. Have you ever hunted a treasure story? | Friendly Metal Detecting Forum Jose Gaspar Treasure - MapQuest The items found by his sister were neatly packed inside a wooden box. ", "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. Treasure Unknown is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. 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.

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