Debbie gave us a great tip to hide the tooth in the sand and make our son think he found it. The Search for Florida's Lost Pirate: With Josh Gates, Shamus Warren, Rodney Kite-Powell, Michael Gattuso. Jose Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia: Politician: Capricon: 06 January 1766 AD . Gaspar was a rebel from an aristocratic upbringing. When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's 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. 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. When you go in the attic you expect to find something old. The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. Available at: https://ymkg.com/the-legend-of-jose-gasparilla/. When Jose Gaspar died, he supposedly left an untold fortune in buried treasure somewhere along the Florida coast. Our Florida pirate "Jose Gaspar enters history's scene in Spain where he was born in the year 1756 and started adult life with a career in the Spanish Navy, serving aboard the warship Floridablanca. "You'll hear more of us, you know; we'll do this until we're old and, you know, can't do it anymore.". Many ship captains and pirates alike came to Lafitte and could sign articles to become a part of his pirate fleet. His methods were black and bloody, and he stands out among all the pirates who used Florida to bury their wealth. No Result Found. This is the spot for all of your seaside decorating needs. JOSE GASPAR: Kern County makes history, and in a good way Dec 18, 2022 The 8-year-old student was curios so she wrote a letter. 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. The 300,000 partiers who will swarm the streets Saturday in Tampa for the annual Gasparilla pirate parade won't care. For one, there is no evidence of his pirate empire. Louisiana makes sense because during most of his time here, he was considered a fugitive by the US. Ancient Viking treasures found in England actually seems to be a thing, as many of relative value have been found throughout the years. All of it is built around the story of Gaspar. The pirate is one of the most notorious in the history of pirates. A Florida family may have discovered some unusual treasure belonging to legendary pirate Jose "Gasparilla" Gaspar. Similar Names. Jose Gaspar (GC3FZAF) was created by seabreezedrive on 4/1/2012. 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. Deleware holds one more possibility around Woodland Beach. The choice of the navy career wasn't courage and thirst for adventure on the part of Jose but an expediency of the moment. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Save. He quickly worked his way up the ranks of the Spanish Navy and became an officer. 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. 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. He finally returned with his wife to find all but a handful of his crew had died. However, if they do, they are still up for grabs. The pirate, whose full name is Jos Gaspar, is a legend from the 18th and 19th century. Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. All of it is built around the story of Gaspar. Tyrons Landing located between the towns of Wethersfield and Naubuc. Most, if not all, historians agree the pirate named Jose Gaspar never existed. Blackbeard also spend some time in North Carolina, in fact he secured a Royal Pardon in the town of Bath. Retail store with the following - shells, shellcraft, wood carvings, shark teeth and jaws,. 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. 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. Though he is a popular figure in Florida folklore, no evidence of his existence appears in writing before the early 20th century. The rest of the treasure remains hidden, waiting to be found. The San Jose, a Spanish treasure ship, was attacked and sunk by a British warship in June 1708. Inside was a tattered map of the Hillsborough River, century-old coins, a family picture and a hand wearing a ring. Was there really a pirate named Jose Gaspar? Also check state and local regulations before you begin any activities such as digging or metal detecting. 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. They then buried the chests in numerous places along the river and its tributaries and swamps. "Maria came across it and once she told me she found a hand in a box. 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. The prices are great and you can walk more than one foot without seeing some adorable little trinket that you just can't live without. Finally Pirates Cove, which is on the southern tip of Connecticut may house these valuable chests. 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. Crystal and I greatly appreciate any support! St. Vincent Island off the coast of Florida is said to have been an island frequented by early pirates. We actually located the great great, great, great-granddaughter of Juan Gomez. Many believe it is Edward Teach, but some claim it is Edward Thatch. Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. Gaspar is presented as dignified, noble in heart and rich and titled in some versions. But the idea of a pirate named Gasparilla (or some variant) goes way back. The legend of Gaspar began making its way into other writings after that, without any other historical evidence to back it up. Answer: True This is an area where the stories of Gaspar are for once consistent. When Jose Gaspar died, he supposedly left an untold fortune in buried treasure somewhere along the Florida coast. These stories and locations presented are based on our research but should be taken with some skepticism. "We do have some treasure maps, and we're working on them," Gattuso said. Jose Gaspar, the legendary buccaneer who inspired Tampa's Gasparilla Pirate Festival, as well as fantastic tales of lost treasure, most likely never really existed. This characterization continues through the stories of Gasparilla as a pirate. 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. 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. 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. New Castle Island in Delaware is said to house treasure hidden by pirates from Madagascar in 1699. By Geoff Dobson. 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. You must log in or register to reply here. 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. His ship was scuttled in the battle sending the valuables to the bottom of the ocean. I love searching for all types of "treasures" with my family. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Lafayette Street, which is now Kennedy Boulevard is also labeled on the map. A Net Inceptions project. "Possibly keep it forever. In 1897, he purchased land at Boca Grande, an island outpost. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Other than news articles, the first story ever published in print about the Story of Gasparilla was commissioned by the Charlotte Harbor & Northern Railroad. Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. The notorious pirate then committed suicide by wrapping a heavy chain around him and jumping over the side. This Plantation is said to be roughly 5 miles West of the town of Iowa. Ill post one a week Treasure Tuesdaysthis that lame? 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. Photos show a centuries-old shipwreck found off Colombia's coast carrying lost treasure worth billions of dollars, including gold coins and emeralds. 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 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. JavaScript is disabled. With Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses, How We Became Mr. and Mrs. 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. 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. 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. Sarasota's Michael Gattuso and members of his . He found a hillside where he buried 2 pirate chests filled with valuable metals and jewels. In his early pirate career, he teamed up with a few other pirates and eventually took over a ship named The Revenge. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Gaspar, Sachs, S, 2022. This is believed to be part of the bribe money given to the owner. Dropa Stones: Are They 12,000 Year Old Discs? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); If anybody wants to start a treasure seach team, WTF Florida? 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. When he was wrongfully arrested, he hijacked a ship and fled, promising to seek revenge on his homeland. He enjoyed telling stories about his adventures on the high seas and a large amount of Gasparillas treasure that was never discovered. At The Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. visitors and locals can find treasures of all kinds. There's really no way to know which is the case," Maria wrote, in an email to WTSP-TV. wtfflorida.com/information/gaspars-lost-treasure/. Bald Point is another hotspot but for rumors of pirate treasure. Latest Blog . Once he was a few hundred meters away, the British flag came down and the American flag rose up the mast. He supposedly buried large amounts of treasures on the islands around the bay. His ship soon followed him to the watery depths. "I'm considering it. Website. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. While doing some spring cleaning a few weeks ago, Maria Lopez made an unusual discovery in her grandfathers attic. In fact, we dont even know for certain his real name. In all, he buried 13 casks and chests of treasure in the vicinity of his headquarters. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 2009-2021 Historic Mysteries. 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. This allegedly infuriated the young lady who devised a plan to essentially frame Gaspar for stealing some jewels. He then sailed back across the world, landing on what we now know as our home of Tampa Bay. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. He subsequently set fire to all his buildings before sailing out to sea, never to be heard from again. Strap yourself in for a wild ride and buy this international bestselling book today! Top Image: Real pirate or later fiction? His death seems to come straight from Hollywood. 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. Mike Lopez tells WFLA that his sister was. Just like most pirates, there is little known about his early life. 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. Youll read about many that are hidden and a few that were found, so it can happen. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. They took the box to a few antique stores around Tampa and the contents were described as "gruesome and authentic.". Galleon of Gold. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 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. A band of pirates in Wisconsin operated out of a cave on Hermit island. 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. His fleet would capture vessels at sea, and take all the goods back to Galveston. Who was this figure, and what was he supposed to have done? 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. Perhaps this suggested location is merely a case in mistaken identity. I'm here writing on Treasureunknown to provide helpful resources so others can get out and enjoy the thrill of the hunt! CBS affiliate WPEC-TV reported that 43-year-old treasure hunter Jonah Martinez located the coins using a . Enjoy. "It's a bunch of heartbreak with little reward and a lot of imagination," said treasure hunter Erin Melcher. 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. In the 1690s a war broke out between England and France. But Rodney Kite-Powell, a Tampa-Bay curator, doesnt believe that the legendary figure was even real. The Legend of Jose Gaspar. 2 chests are also rumored to be buried on Clarkes Island on the Connecticut River. They bribed the owner with some of the treasure to not divulge their location. Wikipedia, 2022. Plundering the high seas and ports alike resulted in vast riches for some of these ruthless criminals. The prices seem lower, but not my thing. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. He spoke to local TV news network WFLA about the discovery, and the story kept getting stranger. 2119 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Flagler Beach, FL 32136-2802. I was totally blown away," said Lopez. Gasparilla not only granted Lopez permission but also bestowed his blessing on his long-time friend, providing a ship and several men to accompany him back to Spain. On my recent visit, I was on a shell mission to use for a hairpiece for a . He's rumored to have had a secret base in Charlotte Harbor and would sail back and forth to Spain as well as roam around the Gulf of Mexico until his death in 1821, at the hands of the U.S. Navy. After sustaining heavy damage, the famed Spanish pirate tied himself to his anchor and leaped to his watery death apparently not wanting to be killed at the hands of the enemy. 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). He ignored this order and stayed in Galveston for about another year before the Army returned forcing him to leave. The story of the famed pirate may have been the tall tale of a U.S. naval officer. JavaScript is disabled. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 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. There is not much known about his adventures in Florida but there is rumors of him hiding a large treasure around Choctawatchee Bay. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. 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. The race of the old buccaneer was nearly run, but all through that night, he told a story of piracy that could scarce be believed, yet it was a dying man that was clearing his soul before his Maker. The rest of the treasure remains hidden, waiting to be found. Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. ", Pirate treasure in grandpa's attic includes human hand. Our knowledge of Jean and his brother Pierre begins in the early 1800s. So are you juiced up and just caught the gold fever? Treasure hunter Stacey Hunt holds an old nail found under the ground on a wetland believed to have lost treasure. Once again our legend states that he hid 3 large chests among a group of trees on San Jose Island. (story from treasurelore.com). He has written for 8 years in a variety of fields including history, health and politics. "We go after Juan Gomez because everything, all the treasures and everything we've come through, is tied to him. The Story of Jose Gaspar Jos Gaspar allegedly lived between 1756 and 1821 and was based on southwest Florida, on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. Most of the suspected locations are in and around the state of Florida. The treasure: Slave-turned-pirate Henri Caesar stole a ship in Haiti to seek his fortune on the Spanish Main and Florida waters. From a four-mile long parade of pirates and period memorabilia on display, to specialty packages and a waterfront half . Jean Lafitte. When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. Did Grandpa find pirate treasure? The latter two locations being the most logical. Name of The Day. 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. History of Gasparilla: Jos Gaspar & his krewe. Supposedly this fort had hidden tunnels leading under the fort. You are using an out of date browser. They used Barataria Bay in Louisiana as a hub for their enterprise. "Maybe my great-grandparents were pirates," Mike Lopez said. Pirate treasure rumors. Or at least thats what Florida folklore would have you believe. According to historians, it was a real man named Juan "Panther John" Gomez from Gasparilla Island, or as he was known locally, John, or Panther Key John. So it would seem that Gasparilla is a fiction, no more real a figure than Mickey Mouse. 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. Buumi . 11 The Cuerdale Treasures- $2.6 Million. One of the most popular pirates in Florida folklore is Jose' Gaspar. The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. 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? So, we stole Jose Gaspar. Barnes & Noble Booksellers 10 Bookstores Music & DVDs Toy Stores Gasparilla 2023: The pirate party master list. But Gasparilla himself did not survive the final battle. We also participate in programs from eBay, CJ, Bluehost, Clickbank, ShareASale, and other sites. Seeing the writing on the wall, he decided to scuttle his own ship and hide with his crew in the forrest. Accept Read More. RECOMMENDED: The legend of Jose Gaspar and the history of Gasparilla. I'm Clint, the guy behind Treasureunknown. 3. Read another story from us:Norways Saint Olaf Uncovered: Archaeologists Believe They have Discovered the Shrine of the Lost Viking King. There are at least 3 different locations said to hold his riches in Connecticut. The most notorious and successful pirate was Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla. I love this place built around 1640 . History Gattuso will keep them busy on Useppa and across Florida. "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. There is another treasure said to be buried on Kelly Island in Delaware by James Gillian, a member of Kidds crew. However, this treasure is also attributed to the infamous pirate Blackbeard. His piratical career always starts with an injustice and he is seen as a lovable rogue rather than a murderous monster. In Polish origin the meaning of name Gaspar is : Treasure keeper Spanish Meaning : The name Gaspar is an Spanish baby name. One day Gasparilla prepared to attack a merchantman, but to his surprise, it turned out to be a United States man-of-war. "The reason I believe in Gasparilla is because I believe in Juan Gomez," Mike Gattuso, a member of The Real Treasure Hunters, told Paluska. This story seems to border on the outer limits, but a local historian doesnt believe that the hand belongs to the famed pirate. Sign up for our WTFF Newsletter to get weird Florida news delivered straight to your email: WTFF News: Because regular news is depressing. There are a few theories as to the location of a hidden treasure by Lafitte in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. Powell showed us museum exhibits full of gold coins recovered from shipwrecks and explained how the legend of Jose Gaspar launched the Gasparilla Pirate Festival we know and love today. The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. Tales of pirate treasures are very difficult to substantiate due to many factors. From real buried treasure, to massive pearl finds, these . He even set up a blockade of the port of Charleston in South Carolina for 6 days. Another logical location said to hide this cache of valuables is in South Carolina. It appears Philip Gosse got the story from Bradlee's book. 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. But treasure hunters believe there is truth in his tall tale, and buried treasure is out there. On the Hawaiian island of Oahu there is said to be six chests buried along a stone wall somewhere around Kaena Point. "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. What year did Jose Gaspar invade Tampa? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Sometime later a large sum of gold coins was found near the Spanish Homestead. Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. Mysterious box containing a map, coins and a mummified hand found in Tampa Bay attic. There are many differing versions about the pirates origins and life, but there is no real historical evidence that he ever existed. Lesser and Greater Antilles / Windward and Leeward Islands What is What? Not much is known of his early life before his pirating career. The treasure on Money Island is said to hidden in the crevice of a large rock that is only visible during low tide. He is even said to have buried treasure somewhere on the island near where the lighthouse now stands. Jose Gaspar, the legendary buccaneer who inspired Tampas Gasparilla Pirate Festival, as well as fantastic tales of lost treasure, most likely never really existed. " Mar 2021 We really enjoyed shopping here! Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by, Jose Gaspar is not the only mythical pirate character that has. It's located in Florida, United States.A real, albeit, small treasure chest on a real small island.

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