He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. The story of Juan Gomez is also published in the Library of Congress. Since the 1870s, treasure hunters have been trying unsuccessfully to crack this code you see below: Some say its Spanish. There are numerous tales and stories of pirate treasures hidden thought the world, some of which are not attributed to any particular pirate. Treasure hunting can be a fun and exciting activity. Since 1904, pirates have invaded the City of Tampa to kick off the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. As promised here is the start of your Pirate Treasure stories. Jos Gaspar. Here are some Metal Detectors for you to start your quest. There are at least 3 different locations said to hold his riches in Connecticut. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Gasparilla had fallen into a trap! It's located in Florida, United States.A real, albeit, small treasure chest on a real small island. As with any tale of vast hidden riches, these stories can not be 100 percent verified to even exist. Seeing the writing on the wall, he decided to scuttle his own ship and hide with his crew in the forrest. Or they were always togahter. . In 1897, he purchased land at Boca Grande, an island outpost. Sarasota's Michael Gattuso and members of his . A Tampa, Florida family going through their grandparent's attic made an interesting discovery: a treasure map, some coins, and an old human hand! Lesser and Greater Antilles / Windward and Leeward Islands What is What? Jose Gaspar (aka: Gasparilla) was a quasi-mythical Spanish pirate who roamed the waters of Tampa Bay, Florida. In different accounts, details of his early life, motivations, and activities varied. There has been a lot of permanent damage to archaeological sites due to the misinformation about buried treasure in prehistoric mounds, and pushing some aspects of this myth may lead to others following suit (leading to arrests and seizures as well as loss of cultural information). And that's what we've been chasing. . Mike Lopez tells WFLA that his sister was. When a ship was taken, the people aboard were not immediately murdered but instead offered the option of dying or joining Gasparillas crew. 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. ", 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. 128 were here. Enjoy. Gasparilla seized her ship, and the hostages were brought to his hideout on Gasparilla Island. . Rogers lost interest in the hunt after this and it is said he lived near his treasure to guard it for the remainder of his life. Gaspar realized in this moment that he had found the treasure he was searching for. Spending most of his time here and running a larger business would provide ample opportunity and necessity to hide valuables. His theft discovered, he deserted his wife. History Gattuso will keep them busy on Useppa and across Florida. Email him at elcompa29@gmail.com. Upon hearing this news, he unloaded his spoils and set sail for America (where he was later arrested and sent back to England). Here Lafitte had a very fair treasure distribution policy that everyone seemed to like. Box allegedly containing Gaspars hand and related items Photo Credit. In this time Spain controlled a huge swathe of the Americas and Gaspar grew rich. Wikipedia, 2022. Named for legendary pirate, Jose Gaspar, who terrorized the coastal waters of West Florida during the 18th and early 19th centuries, Tampa Bay's destination-wide annual Gasparilla celebration kicks off each January with a full schedule of exciting pirate-themed events. This story states that the vast treasure was actually siting on the beach in numerous chests waiting to be divided. Jean Lafitte. Leaving Spain at an early age, he sailed to the West Coast of Florida. 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.' This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It does not store any personal data. He renamed this ship Queen Anns Revenger which gave him one of the largest fleets on the East coast of America and Caribbean. Who created the man who is now a legend? What remains of Jos Gaspar today are his stories and legends, but most significant of them all is the secret of these mysterious cherries. The treasure: Slave-turned-pirate Henri Caesar stole a ship in Haiti to seek his fortune on the Spanish Main and Florida waters. Or show us love by sharing articles and leaving great comments. What date is Gasparilla 2021? This activity is a great way to enjoy some peaceful quite time outdoors or can be a unique experience for 8 Super Fun Family Treasure Hunt Ideas: With Real Treasure. Jos Gaspar allegedly lived between 1756 and 1821 and was based on southwest Florida, on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. Many took the deal. 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. "So, it's interesting how Tampa, in a sense, stole; we were pirates ourselves. Plundering the high seas and ports alike resulted in vast riches for some of these ruthless criminals. There are also inherent dangers involved with any of these types of adventures. 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. He was wanted until 1815 when opinion of him changed. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Many ship captains and pirates alike came to Lafitte and could sign articles to become a part of his pirate fleet. A few months ago, Gattuso found a Calusa bone tool that is now part of the Useppa Island museum's collection. Many say he buried treasure here during this time. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); If anybody wants to start a treasure seach team, WTF Florida? In fact, we dont even know for certain his real name. He spent nearly 30 years plundering ships in and around the gulf coast. 1. The Choctawatchee Bay is an area of a lot of speculation of the location of some of Bowlegs hidden treasure. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Caesar was forced to push his pirate pack north to the Gulf of Mexico. The story goes that Lafitte and his men used an old barn on LeBleau Plantation as a gathering location and perhaps buried treasure here. What Became of Anne Bonny, Irish Pirate of the Caribbean? 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. Treasure hunter Erin Melcher. Over and out from somewhere south, RumShopRyan. 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. However, perhaps the most famous story of Gaspar concerns his death. Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Company are said to have distributed the brochures. Tales of pirate treasures are very difficult to substantiate due to many factors. His death seems to come straight from Hollywood. Therefore hiding treasure might have seemed like a logical choice. Spain and Great Britain were adversaries in the complex tangle of European politics . Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. Dropa Stones: Are They 12,000 Year Old Discs? He continued the diving operation, but while they were working, his wife came down with a fever and died. All of it is built around the story of Gaspar. One day Gasparilla prepared to attack a merchantman, but to his surprise, it turned out to be a United States man-of-war. To add more to the story, the treasure map contained the name of the infamous mythical pirate Gaspar. Kidd set sail for England and was commissioned as a privateer by the English government. He was most likely a sailor for the English Navy who became unemployed and turned to a life of piracy. Having spent some time here, Blackbeard built a fort near a swamp west of Charleston. 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 endeavor lasted only about 5 years when the us army came to visit Lafitte, asking him to leave. So, we stole Jose Gaspar. "We are not sure what we're going to do with it," said Lopez. No Result Found. ", Pirate treasure in grandpa's attic includes human hand. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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. In his early pirate career, he teamed up with a few other pirates and eventually took over a ship named The Revenge. 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. Many believe it is Edward Teach, but some claim it is Edward Thatch. 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. Icelanders and the Huldufolk: A Nation Gripped by Farinis Great Discovery: Is there a Lost City Top Ten Knights of King Arthurs Round Table. 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. The gold coins were too thin and too old to pass as authentic Spanish treasure. 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. 2 chests are also rumored to be buried on Clarkes Island on the Connecticut River. A few years later, he fell out of favor with the government and turned to a life of piracy. Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. Website. Name of The Day. ", 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. Debbie gave us a great tip to hide the tooth in the sand and make our son think he found it. "It's a bunch of heartbreak with little reward and a lot of imagination," said treasure hunter Erin Melcher. Born in 1756 in Spain, Gaspar served in the Spanish Navy until a mutiny in 1783. "Either my great-grandfather made the best, most elaborate pirate hoax ever and never shared it with anyone or he really did find some treasure on the Hillsborough River. The pirate is one of the most notorious in the history of pirates. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This is believed to be part of the bribe money given to the owner. 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. Buumi . 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. So it would seem that Gasparilla is a fiction, no more real a figure than Mickey Mouse. Did Grandpa find pirate treasure? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Inside, bound to the box by copper wire, she found a dessicated hand wearing a ring with the word "Gaspar" on . 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 brochure relied heavily on the stories told by John Gomez. I'm Clint, the guy behind Treasureunknown. He subsequently set fire to all his buildings before sailing out to sea, never to be heard from again. He was sentenced to prison and eventually released. The legend of Gaspar was first recorded in promotional materials for this Boca Grande Hotel. What he thought was a British cargo ship turned out to be the USS Enterprise, on a mission to end piracy. On my recent visit, I was on a shell mission to use for a hairpiece for a . Despite its long history, there is no definitive origin of the name. One such account concerns Maria Louise, a lovely Spanish princess, who was returning to Spain after a journey to Mexico with 11 Mexican princesses who were to be educated and married in Spain. It's light on history and heavy on action, suspense, and intrigue. 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." Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Deleware holds one more possibility around Woodland Beach. The San Jose, a Spanish treasure ship, was attacked and sunk by a British warship in June 1708. The items found by his sister were neatly packed inside a wooden box. 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. He spoke to local TV news network WFLA about the discovery, and the story kept getting stranger. He met and married his wife in New York and had 2 daughters. Supposedly this fort had hidden tunnels leading under the fort. The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. The American Government then decided to get into the act and sent a Navy squadron to end his career. CBS affiliate WPEC-TV reported that 43-year-old treasure hunter Jonah Martinez located the coins using a . As mentioned above one of the rumored locations for his treasure is on Woodland Beach in Delaware. Jose Gaspar, the legendary buccaneer who inspired Tampas Gasparilla Pirate Festival, as well as fantastic tales of lost treasure, most likely never really existed. We also participate in programs from eBay, CJ, Bluehost, Clickbank, ShareASale, and other sites. The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. "But, what we believe is that Juan Gomez had ties to him. The team, known as the "Temple Twelve," have been . There is another treasure said to be buried on Kelly Island in Delaware by James Gillian, a member of Kidds crew. Who was this figure, and what was he supposed to have done? Marias brother Mike believes the couple in the photo may be their great grandparents, Eve and Ernesto Lopez. Friendly down to earth staff. This was to prove his doom as the ship he had targeted was no harmless cargo ship but in fact the USS Enterprise, a heavily armed and very dangerous pirate hunter. Perhaps this suggested location is merely a case in mistaken identity. When he finally realized that it was a warship, it was too late. What year did Jose Gaspar invade Tampa? He is even said to have buried treasure somewhere on the island near where the lighthouse now stands. I love this place built around 1640 . It is said that Captain Kidd came ashore here. (2) Most of the islands around Charlotte Harbor were named by the Cuban Spanish fishermen that lived there since the 1600's. 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. I have never found any real evidence he lived. The legend states that Gaspar terrorized the western coastal waters of Florida in the late 18th to early 19th century. The most notorious and successful pirate was Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla. However, this treasure is also attributed to the infamous pirate Blackbeard. Leaving soon? 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. There are many differing versions about the pirates origins and life, but there is no real historical evidence that he ever existed. 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. Not being able to pass up this giant score, he pursed the ship that was flying a British flag. Available at: https://ymkg.com/the-legend-of-jose-gasparilla/. The city of Tampa hosts a Gasparilla Day each year. I love this place built around 1640 . 1 Review #9 of 11 Shopping in Flagler Beach. jose gaspar, coins, and treasuremap found. Finally Pirates Cove, which is on the southern tip of Connecticut may house these valuable chests. The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. There are multiple stories about his life that vary greatly depending upon the source of the information, leading some to conclude that he was not a real person. You are using an out of date browser. (3) The Spanish kept meticulous records and there is no mention of Gasparilla in the archives. After that, they searched his cabin and found a jar of gold coins and a small sheet of copper engraved with a code indicating the location of buried treasure. A treasure said to be worth $30 million. However there is a salacious twist to this tale, in that when this lovely young girl declined his romantic proposition, he had her executed. Jos Gaspar, also known by his nickname Gasparilla , is an apocryphal Spanish pirate who terrorized the Gulf of Mexico from his base in southwest Florida during Florida's second Spanish period . At The Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. visitors and locals can find treasures of all kinds. His piratical career always starts with an injustice and he is seen as a lovable rogue rather than a murderous monster. In the following years, he accumulated a board estimated at $30,000,000. 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. 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. 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. Sometime later a large sum of gold coins was found near the Spanish Homestead. However, he spotted a British merchant ship and could not resist one final prize. One of his ships has been discovered in the waters off of North Carolina and definitely proven to belong to Blackbeard. These wealthy civilizations flourished for hundreds of years spreading This Plantation is said to be roughly 5 miles West of the town of Iowa. 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. We've been chasing his treasures. Jose Gaspar Treasure Company | Flagler Beach FL 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. 2. 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. Just like most pirates, there is little known about his early life. Jose Lopez's sister, Maria, was cleaning out the attic of a home owned by her great-grandparents, Eve and Ernesto Lopez, in Tampa's historic Ybor City area, when she stumbled upon the box, WFLA-TV reports. 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. History of Gasparilla: Jos Gaspar & his krewe. How did the legend of Gaspar begin? The San Jose galleon was believed to have been . It is said that he buried a multitude of treasure along the Pamlico Sound and on Bluff Point. 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. He even set up a blockade of the port of Charleston in South Carolina for 6 days. 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. 6 reviews of Jose Gaspar Treasure "This sweet little shell shop is nestled in along A1A and the beautiful Atlantic shoreline. In all, he buried 13 casks and chests of treasure in the vicinity of his headquarters. Okay, that was. Answer: True This is an area where the stories of Gaspar are for once consistent. The prices seem lower, but not my thing. John Gomez, also known as Juan Gomez and Panther John. The poem, maps, comments from other searchers, and other guides to finding the treasure are online and easy to find. Pirate Blackbeard entered the history books in the early 1700s. Was there really a pirate named Jose Gaspar? The team used metal detectors and shovels but didn't find anything. He would even compensate for injuries if they were sustained while obtaining cargo from another ship. 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. RECOMMENDED: The legend of Jose Gaspar and the history of Gasparilla. The 300,000 partiers who will swarm the streets Saturday in Tampa for the annual Gasparilla pirate parade won't care. Before deciding to pursue this ship, Gaspar left some of his men behind with the treasure. This is the spot for all of your seaside decorating needs. We have compiled a list of 11 potential pirate treasure troves left unfound. I'm here writing on Treasureunknown to provide helpful resources so others can get out and enjoy the thrill of the hunt! He quickly worked his way up the ranks of the Spanish Navy and became an officer. 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. The Search For The Real Captain Morgan. Lopez wasn't a fan of pirates when he was growing up. This action helped turn opinion of Lafitte from villain to hero. Oak Island the Strange, the Bizarre, and Maybe the "Truth! Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. Is this your business? From real buried treasure, to massive pearl finds, these . A Beginners Guide to Magnet Fishing: 15 Sure Fire Tips. The theme and focal point of Gasparilla is a friendly "invasion" by mythical pirate Jos Gaspar and his crew, who are portrayed by members of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla (YMKG), an organization created for this purpose in 1904. 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. You are using an out of date browser. This location is said to be on the southern end at False Live Oak Point. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. 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. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Gaspar, Sachs, S, 2022. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Some say it reveals compass bearings around Lettuce Lake. Josh Gates sets sail for Florida chasing the long-lost treasure of bloodthirsty pirate Jose Gaspar. 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). When Jose Gaspar died, he supposedly left an untold fortune in buried treasure somewhere along the Florida coast. The coins are believed to be 18th century Spanish and Portuguese coins and the ring on the hand's is expected to be from around the same time period. They took the box to a few antique stores. Most stories agree he was an aristocratic Spanish Navy Officer who later. 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. Top Image: Real pirate or later fiction? Whether the coins are authentic or not, Mike thinks the hand is real, and may belong to Jose Gaspar himself. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. A Net Inceptions project. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". (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. They bribed the owner with some of the treasure to not divulge their location. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. 2119 N Oceanshore Blvd. 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.
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