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While in Florida, Caesar palled up with Jose Gaspar, better known as "Gasparilla.". Jose Gaspar, the legendary buccaneer who inspired Tampas Gasparilla Pirate Festival, as well as fantastic tales of lost treasure, most likely never really existed. Many say he buried treasure here during this time. 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. Flagler Beach, FL 32136. He finally returned with his wife to find all but a handful of his crew had died. Contributing columnist Jose Gaspar is a news anchor/reporter for Telemundo Bakersfield and KGET. Many ship captains and pirates alike came to Lafitte and could sign articles to become a part of his pirate fleet. 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. 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. Source of the stories which became inspiration for the legend of Jose Gaspar. Gasparilla began on horseback in 1904 as a way to add a little pirate-themed fun to the city's May Day festivities. Also check state and local regulations before you begin any activities such as digging or metal detecting. 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. Theyve done this every Sunday for a year, looking for the booty of 19th century pirate Jose Gaspar. | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA Notice, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. From a four-mile long parade of pirates and period memorabilia on display, to specialty packages and a waterfront half . According to Floridian folklore, Gaspar was a fearsome pirate that operated out of a secret base in southwest Florida in the late 18th and early 19th . 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 . At The Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. visitors and locals can find treasures of all kinds. This was around the 1870s, after the Civil War. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 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. 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. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Shopping, Gift & Specialty Shops. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. 2119 N Oceanshore Blvd. Marias brother Mike believes the couple in the photo may be their great grandparents, Eve and Ernesto Lopez. 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. Jose Gaspar Treasure Company | Flagler Beach FL 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. He would then sell these items to local customers in east Texas. Or at least thats what Florida folklore would have you believe. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Most confirm that the "Floridablanca" was the name of his pirate ship and the one that he served upon in the Navy. Canceled2021 Gasparilla Pirate Festival / Date 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. But Gasparilla himself did not survive the final battle. Jose Gaspar has come in handy for parades and celebrations. According to the story, Gaspar had underestimated the USS Enterprise as an easy target. Friendly down to earth staff. When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. 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. (story from treasurelore.com). The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Find the treasure, report it, and go to jail for committing a 3rd Degree Felony. "The reason I believe in Gasparilla is because I believe in Juan Gomez," Mike Gattuso, a member of The Real Treasure Hunters, told Paluska. It is said that he and his brother buried all of his money on the islands in and around Charlotte Harbor. No Result Found. 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. Kidd set sail for England and was commissioned as a privateer by the English government. We have seven maps.". 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. Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Caesar was forced to push his pirate pack north to the Gulf of Mexico. 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 pirate is one of the most notorious in the history of pirates. It's part of our family now.". 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. In or around 1806 the brothers arrived in New Orleans Louisiana and were licensed privateers operating in the Gulf of Mexico. He then tied himself to an anchor and jumped in the ocean disappearing for all time. Pirate treasure rumors. Jean Lafitte. Still, it was not very soon after that, that Tampa captured that myth," Kite-Powell said. Toward the end of his pirate career, Bowlegs was being pursued by an English warship. Pricing is not too high. Santa Rosa Island has been sort of a local hotspot for finding bags of gold and silver coins. Here are some Metal Detectors for you to start your quest. Lopez wasn't a fan of pirates when he was growing up. USEPPA ISLAND, Fla. Most, if not all, historians agree the pirate named Jose Gaspar never existed. One of the most popular pirates in Florida folklore is Jose' Gaspar. Not much is known of his early life before his pirating career. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The Story of Gasparilla by ABC Action News on Scribd. "Maybe my great-grandparents were pirates," Mike Lopez said. So it would seem that Gasparilla is a fiction, no more real a figure than Mickey Mouse. Once he was a few hundred meters away, the British flag came down and the American flag rose up the mast. Before deciding to pursue this ship, Gaspar left some of his men behind with the treasure. His sister found a box in their grandfather's attic in Tampa, Fla., a few weeks ago while doing some spring cleaning. 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. "We are not sure what we're going to do with it," said Lopez. He vowed revenge on those who had framed him and was forced to turn to a life of piracy. 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. He subsequently set fire to all his buildings before sailing out to sea, never to be heard from again. When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. 1. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The pirate, whose full name is Jos Gaspar, is a legend from the 18th and 19th century. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. New Castle Island in Delaware is said to house treasure hidden by pirates from Madagascar in 1699. Here Lafitte had a very fair treasure distribution policy that everyone seemed to like. ", 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. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. wtfflorida.com/information/gaspars-lost-treasure/. He has written for 8 years in a variety of fields including history, health and politics. Some speculate that this is remnants of Rogers great treasure. This is believed to be part of the bribe money given to the owner. By Geoff Dobson. As promised here is the start of your Pirate Treasure stories. 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. Maybe you can find one and claim the fame and wealth that will ultimilty accompany your successful efforts. . (5) The first written version of Gasparilla appeared in an advertising brochure of the Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Co. printed in 1900. When Gasparilla requested that they accompany him and his crew on a raid, the two young lovers assumed they would be slaughtered. Okay, that was. As with any treasure hunting adventure, be sure and obtain permission from any applicable parties before your hunt begins. Inside, bound to the box by copper wire, she found a dessicated hand wearing a ring with the word "Gaspar" on . "But, what we believe is that Juan Gomez had ties to him. The team, known as the "Temple Twelve," have been . A Beginners Guide to Magnet Fishing: 15 Sure Fire Tips. I have never found any real evidence he lived. Many of the stories about Gasparilla were attributed to Juan Gomez. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co | Flagler Beach, FL 32136. It does not store any personal data. 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. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. All had been going along fine for Gasparilla until the year 1822. If marriage was selected, there would be a ceremony, and the marriage promise would be strictly enforced. Most of the suspected locations are in and around the state of Florida. 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. According to some versions of the story, Gaspar started as a troubled adolescent who kidnapped a little girl for ransom. As with any tale of vast hidden riches, these stories can not be 100 percent verified to even exist. 2009-2021 Historic Mysteries. So it is a huge, huge draw for people to come to Tampa.". Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. To add more to the story, the treasure map contained the name of the infamous mythical pirate Gaspar. When he was captured and offered the option of going to prison or joining the navy, he chose the latter, serving with distinction for several years before organizing a mutiny against a dictatorial captain and fleeing to Florida with a stolen ship. 2 chests are also rumored to be buried on Clarkes Island on the Connecticut River. When you go in the attic you expect to find something old. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. He supposedly buried 3 chests under a palm tree somewhere in the vicinity. 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. 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. 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. Though he is a popular figure in Florida folklore, no evidence of his existence appears in writing before the early 20th century. But treasure hunters believe there is truth in his tall tale, and buried treasure is out there. His ship was scuttled in the battle sending the valuables to the bottom of the ocean. He is even said to have buried treasure somewhere on the island near where the lighthouse now stands. Save. The treasure on Money Island is said to hidden in the crevice of a large rock that is only visible during low tide. Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Company are said to have distributed the brochures. A few months ago, Gattuso found a Calusa bone tool that is now part of the Useppa Island museum's collection. Finally Pirates Cove, which is on the southern tip of Connecticut may house these valuable chests. The treasure: Slave-turned-pirate Henri Caesar stole a ship in Haiti to seek his fortune on the Spanish Main and Florida waters. It is said that Captain Kidd came ashore here. 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. It is said that he buried a multitude of treasure along the Pamlico Sound and on Bluff Point. Strap yourself in for a wild ride and buy this international bestselling book today! "It's a bunch of heartbreak with little reward and a lot of imagination," said treasure hunter Erin Melcher. Overview. Lafayette Street, which is now Kennedy Boulevard is also labeled on the map. 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 . Some say it reveals compass bearings around Lettuce Lake. Leaving soon? ", 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. 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. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/f2/ferret-iii.htm, Florida's Pirate Jose Gaspar and his Treasure Story. He would even compensate for injuries if they were sustained while obtaining cargo from another ship. Having spent some time here, Blackbeard built a fort near a swamp west of Charleston. New details have emerged about the San Jose, a Spanish galleon sunk by British ships 300 years ago. When a ship was taken, the people aboard were not immediately murdered but instead offered the option of dying or joining Gasparillas crew. If you choose to embark on a hunt for any treasure do so at your own risk. Galleon of Gold. 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. will support that mission. Josh is on a mission to find Jos Gaspar's hidden treasure. The gold coins were too thin and too old to pass as authentic Spanish treasure. The rest of the treasure remains hidden, waiting to be found. 3. The legend of Gaspar was first recorded in promotional materials for this Boca Grande Hotel. 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. Tales of pirate treasures are very difficult to substantiate due to many factors. Once it was in print, people kept spreading it as absolute truth. The story of Juan Gomez is also published in the Library of Congress. This story seems to border on the outer limits, but a local historian doesnt believe that the hand belongs to the famed pirate. The 300,000 partiers who will swarm the streets Saturday in Tampa for the annual Gasparilla pirate parade wont care. Starting in 1911, though, the event's founders, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, switched . RECOMMENDED: The legend of Jose Gaspar and the history of Gasparilla. Name of The Day. He confirmed that indeed the Lopezes have found a real human hand, but as for Gasparilla, that was a myth. And to this day, Jose Gaspar returns on board his pirate ship every year to capture the city.". "We do have some treasure maps, and we're working on them," Gattuso said. In Polish origin the meaning of name Gaspar is : Treasure keeper Spanish Meaning : The name Gaspar is an Spanish baby name. There have been many stories told of treasure Captain Kidd buried back in America. 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. 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. Legends tell how he amassed a huge fortune, and hid an enormous treasure before dying a hero facing the might of the US Navy. All of it is built around the story of Gaspar. 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. This action helped turn opinion of Lafitte from villain to hero. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. "You'll hear more of us, you know; we'll do this until we're old and, you know, can't do it anymore.".
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