I have never found any real evidence he lived. One of the most popular pirates in Florida folklore is Jose' Gaspar. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". You must log in or register to reply here. WFLA | What is Gasparilla? This is believed to be part of the bribe money given to the owner. 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. Interesting history topics are just a click away. The pirate is one of the most notorious in the history of pirates. 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. Contributing columnist Jose Gaspar is a news anchor/reporter for Telemundo Bakersfield and KGET. It is said that he buried a multitude of treasure along the Pamlico Sound and on Bluff Point. The San Jose, a Spanish treasure ship, was attacked and sunk by a British warship in June 1708. The latter two locations being the most logical. The city of Tampa hosts a Gasparilla Day each year. ", "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. You are using an out of date browser. Gasparilla had fallen into a trap! There are numerous tales and stories of pirate treasures hidden thought the world, some of which are not attributed to any particular pirate. So it would seem that Gasparilla is a fiction, no more real a figure than Mickey Mouse. 1. He enjoyed telling stories about his adventures on the high seas and a large amount of Gasparillas treasure that was never discovered. Texas is also a logical location for this pirate to bury treasure. What year did Jose Gaspar invade Tampa? "But, what we believe is that Juan Gomez had ties to him. In or around 1806 the brothers arrived in New Orleans Louisiana and were licensed privateers operating in the Gulf of Mexico. Jose Gaspar | bakersfield.com 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. . Gasparilla, if he existed, wrapped himself in chain and jumped overboard with both hands still attached. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Louisiana makes sense because during most of his time here, he was considered a fugitive by the US. Was there really a pirate named Jose Gaspar? The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. In 1897, he purchased land at Boca Grande, an island outpost. However, even from the first we run into different versions of the story. 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 Story of Gasparilla by ABC Action News on Scribd. The most notorious and successful pirate was Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla. This is extremely suspect as this is the same location rumored to hide the treasure of Billy Bowlegs Rogers. "The reason I believe in Gasparilla is because I believe in Juan Gomez," Mike Gattuso, a member of The Real Treasure Hunters, told Paluska. 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. 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. The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. It's a Small size geocache, with difficulty of 3.5, terrain of 5. The allures of Jose Gaspar's mythical treasure and Tampa's giant pirate parade have pulled strongly on producers of reality television lately. The parade that follows is one of the largest in the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to Tampa Bay. And to this day, Jose Gaspar returns on board his pirate ship every year to capture the city.". He is even said to have buried treasure somewhere on the island near where the lighthouse now stands. It seems the mythical pirate was a tall tale concocted by a man named Juan Gmez. Therefore hiding treasure might have seemed like a logical choice. Many of the stories about Gasparilla were attributed to Juan Gomez. These wealthy civilizations flourished for hundreds of years spreading 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. Gasparilla began on horseback in 1904 as a way to add a little pirate-themed fun to the city's May Day festivities. What remains of Jos Gaspar today are his stories and legends, but most significant of them all is the secret of these mysterious cherries. 15 Lost Treasures People Actually Found | TheRichest Read another story from us:Norways Saint Olaf Uncovered: Archaeologists Believe They have Discovered the Shrine of the Lost Viking King. There's really no way to know which is the case," Maria wrote, in an email to WTSP-TV. They then buried the chests in numerous places along the river and its tributaries and swamps. 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 . http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/f2/ferret-iii.htm, Florida's Pirate Jose Gaspar and his Treasure Story. He apparently helped repeal a British Invasion on New Orleans. Gasparilla the Pirate and his Charlotte Harbor Treasure What we do know is that he is considered a hero to some and a villain to others. The history of Gasparilla and legacy of Jose Gaspar | wtsp.com A couple of his rancher buddies found him and buried him. 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. In 1705 the group was killed by French traders who were tired of being robbed by these men. The story states that Rogers discovered these lost tunnels and used them to store his treasure. Were There Pirates In Tampa Bay? - On Secret Hunt These tunnels converged into a large chamber underground. In this time Spain controlled a huge swathe of the Americas and Gaspar grew rich. Legends of Sanibel's Pirate Past - Sanibel Island Myths of Treasure Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. Who created the man who is now a legend? There are many differing versions about the pirates origins and life, but there is no real historical evidence that he ever existed. When Jose Gaspar died, he supposedly left an untold fortune in buried treasure somewhere along the Florida coast. His death seems to come straight from Hollywood. When it comes to the legend of Jose Gaspar, Diff told us to "be cautious that the information you present as there are lots of versions of this story and everyone's version is 'true.' And he's fueled a cottage industry of treasure-hunting books, guides and metal . Though he is a popular figure in Florida folklore, no evidence of his existence appears in writing before the early 20th century. The team used metal detectors and shovels but didn't find anything. 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. 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). Chasing Treasure: The myth of Gasparilla and the real-life man Juan Gomez. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. In the late 1600s a Scottish sailor named William Kidd came to America. Other than news articles, the first story ever published in print about the Story of Gasparilla was commissioned by the Charlotte Harbor & Northern Railroad. CBS affiliate WPEC-TV reported that 43-year-old treasure hunter Jonah Martinez located the coins using a . Source of the stories which became inspiration for the legend of Jose Gaspar. With Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses, How We Became Mr. and Mrs. Most, if not all, historians agree the pirate named Jose Gaspar never existed. USEPPA ISLAND, Fla. Most, if not all, historians agree the pirate named Jose Gaspar never existed. Definitely try, Find our recommended Caribbean hotels, restaurants, charters, & tours. Ill post one a week Treasure Tuesdaysthis that lame? Jose Gaspar (aka: Gasparilla) was a quasi-mythical Spanish pirate who roamed the waters of Tampa Bay, Florida. Lafitte was wanted by the US government for they deemed his acts as piracy, not privateering. The story of Juan Gomez is also published in the Library of Congress. Though details about his early life, motivations, and piratical exploits differ in various tellings, they agree that the 'Last of the Buccaneers" was a remarkably active pirate who amassed a huge . Another logical location said to hide this cache of valuables is in South Carolina. However his name and supposed deeds are still celebrated to this day, not least with the annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival, which began in 1904 in Tampa, Florida, which honors his tale. Just . John Gomez, also known as Juan Gomez and Panther John. 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. It was a simple wooden box, but inside were fascinating (and macabre) clues to a family mystery. What you don't expect to find is treasure. Treasure Hunters May Have Found Jos Gaspar's Pirate Vessel - YouTube It's located on the north side of town, next door to the Turtle Shack cafe. Most of the suspected locations are in and around the state of Florida. From real buried treasure, to massive pearl finds, these . 2119 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Flagler Beach, FL 32136-2802. One of his ships has been discovered in the waters off of North Carolina and definitely proven to belong to Blackbeard. Not being able to pass up this giant score, he pursed the ship that was flying a British flag. The notorious pirate then committed suicide by wrapping a heavy chain around him and jumping over the side. This hoard was allegedly buried by a group of pirates in the early 1800s. "I'm considering it. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. In different accounts, details of his early life, motivations, and activities varied. Story continues below video. . Jose Gaspar: More myth than man - baynews9.com The ship at the center of it all: A history of the Jose Gasparilla II Email him at elcompa29@gmail.com. Supposedly this fort had hidden tunnels leading under the fort. Treasure hunting can be a fun and exciting activity. He wished to return to America to retrieve this treasure after Kidds execution but he never made it back. However, perhaps the most famous story of Gaspar concerns his death. In fact, we dont even know for certain his real name. There is not much known about his adventures in Florida but there is rumors of him hiding a large treasure around Choctawatchee Bay. 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. Jose Gaspar, the legendary buccaneer who inspired Tampas Gasparilla Pirate Festival, as well as fantastic tales of lost treasure, most likely never really existed. A Florida family may have discovered some unusual treasure belonging to legendary pirate Jose "Gasparilla" Gaspar. His sister found a box in their grandfather's attic in Tampa, Fla., a few weeks ago while doing some spring cleaning. Where is the Body of the Legendary King Gorm of Denmark. Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. It's located in Florida, United States.A real, albeit, small treasure chest on a real small island. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co (Flagler Beach) - All You Need to Know BEFORE New details have emerged about the San Jose, a Spanish galleon sunk by British ships 300 years ago. 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. Inside, bound to the box by copper wire, she found a dessicated hand wearing a ring with the word "Gaspar" on . Many say he buried treasure here during this time. There are a few pirates who may have hidden treasure at this spot, including Billy. Gasparilla Season | Visit Tampa Bay 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? Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. This action helped turn opinion of Lafitte from villain to hero. What Became of Anne Bonny, Irish Pirate of the Caribbean? Historic Mysteries is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. The pirate, whose full name is Jos Gaspar, is a legend from the 18th and 19th century. 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. This tale doesnt give the Lopezes a helping hand in solving the mystery of the finds from their grandparents attic. Most stories agree he was an aristocratic Spanish Navy Officer who later. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. His methods were black and bloody, and he stands out among all the pirates who used Florida to bury their wealth. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co | Flagler Beach, FL 32136. What year did Gasparilla start? In his early pirate career, he teamed up with a few other pirates and eventually took over a ship named The Revenge. "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. He renamed this ship Queen Anns Revenger which gave him one of the largest fleets on the East coast of America and Caribbean. When Gasparilla requested that they accompany him and his crew on a raid, the two young lovers assumed they would be slaughtered. 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. 2 chests are also rumored to be buried on Clarkes Island on the Connecticut River. Aged Rum. 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. Flagler Beach, FL 32136. And she actually had maps, and she had stories that were passed down to the family about these treasures. Okay, that was. Youll read about many that are hidden and a few that were found, so it can happen. 6 reviews of Jose Gaspar Treasure "This sweet little shell shop is nestled in along A1A and the beautiful Atlantic shoreline. TAMPA, Fla. - Docked in downtown Tampa, the Jose Gasparilla II is one of the most iconic parts of Gasparilla and a year-round reminder of Tampa's biggest party and quirkiest tradition. Strap yourself in for a wild ride and buy this international bestselling book today! A few months ago, Gattuso found a Calusa bone tool that is now part of the Useppa Island museum's collection. We will discuss a few of them here. Canny readers will already recognize a certain romantic streak in these stories. Mike Lopez said his sister was not expecting to find a human hand, a treasure map, and gold coins. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. The story of the famed pirate may have been the tall tale of a U.S. naval officer. Gaspar's Brew: A cup of treasure - Joffrey's 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. Source: Theartofphoto / Adobe Stock. link to 8 Super Fun Family Treasure Hunt Ideas: With Real Treasure. You must log in or register to reply here. Tales of pirate treasures are very difficult to substantiate due to many factors. On the Hawaiian island of Oahu there is said to be six chests buried along a stone wall somewhere around Kaena Point. On my recent visit, I was on a shell mission to use for a hairpiece for a . It's light on history and heavy on action, suspense, and intrigue. No Result Found. So, we stole Jose Gaspar. The 300,000 partiers who will swarm the streets Saturday in Tampa for the annual Gasparilla pirate parade won't care. Photos show a centuries-old shipwreck found off Colombia's coast carrying lost treasure worth billions of dollars, including gold coins and emeralds. We also participate in programs from eBay, CJ, Bluehost, Clickbank, ShareASale, and other sites. Sarasota's Michael Gattuso and members of his . I'm Clint, the guy behind Treasureunknown. 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. They used Barataria Bay in Louisiana as a hub for their enterprise. Gasparilla: Was the Legendary Spanish Pirate Jose Gaspar Real? The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. Website. Gaspar was a rebel from an aristocratic upbringing. As with any tale of vast hidden riches, these stories can not be 100 percent verified to even exist. Old hand, coins and treasure map found in Florida attic - The Vintage News This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. But Rodney Kite-Powell, a Tampa-Bay curator, doesnt believe that the legendary figure was even real. Chasing Treasure: The myth of Gasparilla and the real-life man Juan Gomez He even set up a blockade of the port of Charleston in South Carolina for 6 days. 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. Santa Rosa Island has been sort of a local hotspot for finding bags of gold and silver coins. Retail store with the following - shells, shellcraft, wood carvings, shark teeth and jaws,. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. 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. However, he spotted a British merchant ship and could not resist one final prize. It is said that he and his brother buried all of his money on the islands in and around Charlotte Harbor. Evidently, though, the treasure is not. Over and out from somewhere south, RumShopRyan. 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. 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. Treasure Unknown is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. But Gasparilla himself did not survive the final battle. Once again our legend states that he hid 3 large chests among a group of trees on San Jose Island. A band of pirates in Wisconsin operated out of a cave on Hermit island. " Mar 2021 We really enjoyed shopping here! His ship soon followed him to the watery depths. Spain and Great Britain were adversaries in the complex tangle of European politics . When he finally realized that it was a warship, it was too late. ", According to the railroad brochure, the "narrative was compiled by the writer from incidents told by John Gomez, better known as Panther Key John, a brother-in-law of Gasparilla and a member of his crew, who died at the age of 120 years, at Panther Key, Florida, 12 miles below Marco, in the year 1900; also from records left by John Gomez, Jr., the cabin-boy on Gasparilla's ship, who was kidnapped by Gasparilla and who witnessed the death of this pirate and all on board his vessel. 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. The Pirates of Charlotte Harbor Treasure hunters search for Jose Gaspar's lost riches - Tampa Bay Times He would then sell these items to local customers in east Texas. Pirate treasure rumors. The pirate, whose full name is Jos Gaspar, is a legend from the 18th and 19th century. Treasure on Sunken Spanish Galleon Could Be Biggest Ever - History Despite its long history, there is no definitive origin of the name. He claimed to be one of the few crew members to escape a fateful attack by American pirate hunting schooner USS Enterprise in 1821. Since 1904, pirates have invaded the City of Tampa to kick off the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. The American Continents have a rich treasure history dating back to ancient civilizations of the Toltecs and Aztecs who understood the mining and smelting of gold and silver from which they made ornaments shields and household utensils.
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