In the following years, he accumulated a board estimated at $30,000,000. 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. However, if they do, they are still up for grabs. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. Buumi . "You'll hear more of us, you know; we'll do this until we're old and, you know, can't do it anymore.". As with any tale of vast hidden riches, these stories can not be 100 percent verified to even exist. Answer: True This is an area where the stories of Gaspar are for once consistent. The choice of the navy career wasn't courage and thirst for adventure on the part of Jose but an expediency of the moment. Although Gasparilla was a well-educated, well-dressed pirate and ladies man, things did not always go as planned. Many took the deal. Millions of dollars have been found literally lying in front of people's feet, the world's beaches. They took the box to a few antique stores. They used Barataria Bay in Louisiana as a hub for their enterprise. Some speculate that this is remnants of Rogers great treasure. Theyve done this every Sunday for a year, looking for the booty of 19th century pirate Jose Gaspar. Once again our legend states that he hid 3 large chests among a group of trees on San Jose Island. In the late 1600s a Scottish sailor named William Kidd came to America. It is said that Captain Kidd came ashore here. Jos Gaspar allegedly lived between 1756 and 1821 and was based on southwest Florida, on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. Photos show a centuries-old shipwreck found off Colombia's coast carrying lost treasure worth billions of dollars, including gold coins and emeralds. Jose Gaspar Treasure 6 Jewelry Gift Shops Bookstores $ "We went in looking for a lite shark tooth for our son. 1. Jos Gaspar, also known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. 1756 - 1821), is an apocryphal Spanish pirate who terrorized the Gulf of Mexico from his base in southwest Florida during Florida's second Spanish period (1783 to 1821). Oak Island the Strange, the Bizarre, and Maybe the "Truth! Strap yourself in for a wild ride and buy this international bestselling book today! Rumor has it, that the stolen goods are still hidden somewhere on the island. Supposedly this fort had hidden tunnels leading under the fort. Stingy Jack and the History of the Jack-o-Lantern, The Varangians: Viking Conquerors turned Byzantium Honor Guard, The Secret Necropolis of Ancient Varna and the First Goldsmiths. The team, known as the "Temple Twelve," have been . Billy left the vast majority of his crew behind and sailed north to gather supplies to salvage his ship. . Tales of pirate treasures are very difficult to substantiate due to many factors. They then buried the chests in numerous places along the river and its tributaries and swamps. From real buried treasure, to massive pearl finds, these . Ye be walkin the plank if ye so think. 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. Perhaps this suggested location is merely a case in mistaken identity. $150 Million Dollar Treasure Found On A Beach By Accident Most, if not all, historians agree the pirate named Jose Gaspar never existed. He weighed in on the treasure map as well and believes it was a blueprint for the area during the 1920s and 1930s, but nothing more. It seems the mythical pirate was a tall tale concocted by a man named Juan Gmez. 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. Treasure hunters seeking Gasparilla's gold featured on Discovery and Gaspar's Brew: A cup of treasure - Joffrey's Jose Gaspar: Myth or Pirate? Quiz | People | 10 Questions - Fun Trivia 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. His methods were black and bloody, and he stands out among all the pirates who used Florida to bury their wealth. The 300,000 partiers who will swarm the streets Saturday in Tampa for the annual Gasparilla pirate parade won't care. The items found by his sister were neatly packed inside a wooden box. In all, he buried 13 casks and chests of treasure in the vicinity of his headquarters. According to the sources we studied, Gaspar was probably born in Spain in 1756. Debbie gave us a great tip to hide the tooth in the sand and make our son think he found it. "I'm considering it. Florida's Pirate Jose Gaspar and his Treasure Story Seeing the writing on the wall, he decided to scuttle his own ship and hide with his crew in the forrest. On the Hawaiian island of Oahu there is said to be six chests buried along a stone wall somewhere around Kaena Point. Gaspar's Lost Treasure - WTF Florida? The Gasparilla Inn was a hotel on the island. While doing some spring cleaning a few weeks ago, Maria Lopez made an unusual discovery in her grandfathers attic. Jose Gaspar Treasure 2119 N Ocean Shore Blvd Flagler Beach FL 32136 (386) 439-3061 Claim this business (386) 439-3061 Website More Directions Advertisement Photos See More Hours Wed: 11am - 5pm Thu: 11am - 5pm Fri: 11am - 5pm Sat: 11am - 5pm Sun: 12pm - 5pm Website Take me there Jewelers Nice Shell Shop. The rest of the treasure remains hidden, waiting to be found. "The Gasparilla Day Parade, the big parade, is the third largest parade in this country after only the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rose Bowl parade. Gasparilla the Pirate and his Charlotte Harbor Treasure This particular lost treasure consists of a bunch of silver coins, ingots and even pieces of jewelry. When he was wrongfully arrested, he hijacked a ship and fled, promising to seek revenge on his homeland. Treasure hunter Erin Melcher. 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. In the 1690s a war broke out between England and France. Many ship captains and pirates alike came to Lafitte and could sign articles to become a part of his pirate fleet. Upon hearing this news, he unloaded his spoils and set sail for America (where he was later arrested and sent back to England). will support that mission. Mysterious box containing a map, coins and a mummified hand found in Tampa Bay attic. We're back to the hotel brochure. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co 5 1 #9 of 11 Shopping in Flagler Beach Speciality & Gift Shops Visit website Write a review What people are saying " Fun shop with good prices! Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. Gaspar - Meaning of Gaspar Name, Boy Gaspar Origin and Astrology The parade that follows is one of the largest in the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to Tampa Bay. The man behind Gasparilla: Who was Jos Gaspar? The map is estimated to be from the 1930s and shows the Tampa area. Read another story from us:Norways Saint Olaf Uncovered: Archaeologists Believe They have Discovered the Shrine of the Lost Viking King. Gilchrist intended to turn the area into a community. I have never found any real evidence he lived. Maybe you can find one and claim the fame and wealth that will ultimilty accompany your successful efforts. Legend states they marked a tree by driving a sword into it. Legends tell how he amassed a huge fortune, and hid an enormous treasure before dying a hero facing the might of the US Navy. Keep me posted! In this time Spain controlled a huge swathe of the Americas and Gaspar grew rich. He spent nearly 30 years plundering ships in and around the gulf coast. Pirate Treasure on Goodland in Southwest Florida - LITTLE BAR Restaurant Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Find the treasure, don't report it, melt it down or sell it on the black market using a different name. ", 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. Jose Gaspar Treasure Company | Flagler Beach FL The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Company are said to have distributed the brochures. 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. So it is a huge, huge draw for people to come to Tampa.". We also participate in programs from eBay, CJ, Bluehost, Clickbank, ShareASale, and other sites. This is extremely suspect as this is the same location rumored to hide the treasure of Billy Bowlegs Rogers. But they know long-lost treasures and artifacts are out there. History of Gasparilla: Jos Gaspar & his krewe. He vowed revenge on those who had framed him and was forced to turn to a life of piracy. JOSE GASPAR TREASURE - 16 Photos - 2119 N Oceanshore Blvd, Flagler Leaving Spain at an early age, he sailed to the West Coast of Florida. Pricing is not too high. Another logical location said to hide this cache of valuables is in South Carolina. We've been chasing his treasures. It's part of our family now.". http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/f2/ferret-iii.htm, Florida's Pirate Jose Gaspar and his Treasure Story. 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. Dropa Stones: Are They 12,000 Year Old Discs? 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. 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. GC3FZAF Jose Gaspar (Traditional Cache) in Florida, United States When a ship was taken, the people aboard were not immediately murdered but instead offered the option of dying or joining Gasparillas crew. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. No Result Found. World's largest 'treasure hoard' worth over $20 billion may soon be found 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 Search for Florida's Lost Pirate: With Josh Gates, Shamus Warren, Rodney Kite-Powell, Michael Gattuso. 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. The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. Do secret rooms conceal unknown treasures? There is not much known about his adventures in Florida but there is rumors of him hiding a large treasure around Choctawatchee Bay. Gaspar is presented as dignified, noble in heart and rich and titled in some versions. 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. 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? A Beginners Guide to Magnet Fishing: 15 Sure Fire Tips. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); If anybody wants to start a treasure seach team, WTF Florida? The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is a gripping, heart-pounding action adventure that's akin to a modern-day Indiana Jones story. Here Lafitte had a very fair treasure distribution policy that everyone seemed to like. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". However, this treasure is also attributed to the infamous pirate Blackbeard. Or show us love by sharing articles and leaving great comments. 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. There's really no way to know which is the case," Maria wrote, in an email to WTSP-TV. Since 1904, pirates have invaded the City of Tampa to kick off the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. 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. 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. 2. wtfflorida.com/information/gaspars-lost-treasure/. (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. This was around the 1870s, after the Civil War. What year did Jose Gaspar invade Tampa? This state also holds another possible location on the banks of Blackbird Creek. John Gomez, also known as Juan Gomez and Panther John. 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. A treasure said to be worth $30 million. To learn more, visit our. (PDF) The Real Pirate Billy Bowlegs: The Origins of the Billy Bowlegs It's light on history and heavy on action, suspense, and intrigue. Shipwrecks: Who owns the treasure hidden under the sea? 15 Lost Treasures People Actually Found | TheRichest Gaspar realized in this moment that he had found the treasure he was searching for. The leaflet establishes Gaspars legend, claiming that he chose Gasparilla Island as the best of the islands in Charlotte Harbor to establish his base. Gaspar caught wind of his coming doom, and escaped via ship to America. Also check state and local regulations before you begin any activities such as digging or metal detecting. 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. 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. How did the legend of Gaspar begin? When Jose Gaspar died, he supposedly left an untold fortune in buried treasure somewhere along the Florida coast. Kidd set sail for England and was commissioned as a privateer by the English government. Born in 1756 in Spain, Gaspar served in the Spanish Navy until a mutiny in 1783. P.S. 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 supposedly buried large amounts of treasures on the islands around the bay. In 1705 the group was killed by French traders who were tired of being robbed by these men. Spending most of his time here and running a larger business would provide ample opportunity and necessity to hide valuables. In or around 1806 the brothers arrived in New Orleans Louisiana and were licensed privateers operating in the Gulf of Mexico. Email him at elcompa29@gmail.com. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co - Tripadvisor All rights reserved. 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. Spain and Great Britain were adversaries in the complex tangle of European politics . His death seems to come straight from Hollywood. 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. He wished to return to America to retrieve this treasure after Kidds execution but he never made it back. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. He is even said to have buried treasure somewhere on the island near where the lighthouse now stands. You are using an out of date browser. These wealthy civilizations flourished for hundreds of years spreading Retail store with the following - shells, shellcraft, wood carvings, shark teeth and jaws,. 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. There are numerous tales and stories of pirate treasures hidden thought the world, some of which are not attributed to any particular pirate. Josh is on a mission to find Jos Gaspar's hidden treasure. His men, who numbered in the hundreds, also buried their smaller caches on these islands. 2009-2021 Historic Mysteries. Find the treasure, report it, and go to jail for committing a 3rd Degree Felony. He met and married his wife in New York and had 2 daughters. 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. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 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. Human hand found in Florida attic with coins, treasure map - ajc Oak Island: Legends of Pirates and Treasure, Barbarossa the Pirate: Scourge of the Mediterranean, Flying Dutchman: Phantom Ship, Legend and Sightings, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Gaspar, https://www.wfla.com/news/gasparilla/history-of-gasparilla-jose-gaspar-his-krewe/, https://ymkg.com/the-legend-of-jose-gasparilla/. 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 ship at the center of it all: A history of the Jose Gasparilla II The city of Tampa hosts a Gasparilla Day each year. 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. His sister found a box in their grandfather's attic in Tampa, Fla., a few weeks ago while doing some spring cleaning. They will be focused on the Florida coastline, right in my back yard. Inside was a tattered map of the Hillsborough River, century-old coins, a family picture and a hand wearing a ring. A few years later, he fell out of favor with the government and turned to a life of piracy. He has written for 8 years in a variety of fields including history, health and politics. Source of the stories which became inspiration for the legend of Jose Gaspar. The family thinks the hand belongs to famous Tampa Bay pirate Jose Gaspar. What year did Gasparilla start? Peace River treasure hunters make cable TV debut in search of Or at least thats what Florida folklore would have you believe. The legend of Gaspar was first recorded in promotional materials for this Boca Grande Hotel. Chasing Treasure: The myth of Gasparilla and the real-life man Juan Gomez. May 4, 1904Gasparilla Pirate Festival / First event date. 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. The story of Juan Gomez is also published in the Library of Congress. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. 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. 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. Historic Mysteries provides captivating articles on archaeology, history, and unexplained mysteries. What he thought was a British cargo ship turned out to be the USS Enterprise, on a mission to end piracy. Jose Gaspar Treasure - Flagler Beach, FL - Yelp Most of the suspected locations are in and around the state of Florida. He quickly worked his way up the ranks of the Spanish Navy and became an officer. The Story of Gasparilla by ABC Action News on Scribd. "We are not sure what we're going to do with it," said Lopez. 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. There are a few theories as to the location of a hidden treasure by Lafitte in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. 10 Lost Treasures in America Waiting to be Found - History Collection A Florida family may have discovered some unusual treasure belonging to legendary pirate Jose "Gasparilla" Gaspar. He finally returned with his wife to find all but a handful of his crew had died. The first recorded reference of Jos Gaspar was in fact over 100 years after his supposed career, in a short biography included in an early 1900s promotional brochure for the Gasparilla Inn on Gasparilla Island in Charlotte Harbor. And that's what we've been chasing. This action helped turn opinion of Lafitte from villain to hero. A few months ago, Gattuso found a Calusa bone tool that is now part of the Useppa Island museum's collection. Cleaning the dreaded attic turned up a darling wedding photo of the Lopezes grandparents, but it also uncovered some interesting but creepy finds. Florida at this time was in its Second Spanish Period which runs from 1783 to 1821. It is said that he buried a multitude of treasure along the Pamlico Sound and on Bluff Point. This treasure as well as the tunnels remain lost. But Gasparilla himself did not survive the final battle. jose gaspar, coins, and treasuremap found. 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.
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