These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 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. Jose Gaspar Treasure Company | Flagler Beach FL Kidd set sail for England and was commissioned as a privateer by the English government. New Castle Island in Delaware is said to house treasure hidden by pirates from Madagascar in 1699. John Gomez, also known as Juan Gomez and Panther John. While in Florida, Caesar palled up with Jose Gaspar, better known as "Gasparilla.". Around noon on the Gasparilla Day, members of YMKG set sail across Tampa Bay from near Ballast Point Park to downtown aboard the Jose Gasparilla, a 165' long flat . A Beginners Guide to Magnet Fishing: 15 Sure Fire Tips. Contributing columnist Jose Gaspar is a news anchor/reporter for Telemundo Bakersfield and KGET. According to the sources we studied, Gaspar was probably born in Spain in 1756. But treasure hunters believe there is truth in his tall tale, and buried treasure is out there. 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). The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is a gripping, heart-pounding action adventure that's akin to a modern-day Indiana Jones story. From real buried treasure, to massive pearl finds, these . Top Image: Real pirate or later fiction? Pirate treasure rumors. Although Gasparilla was a well-educated, well-dressed pirate and ladies man, things did not always go as planned. Was there really a pirate named Jose Gaspar? 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". They will be focused on the Florida coastline, right in my back yard. Not being able to pass up this giant score, he pursed the ship that was flying a British flag. 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). These stories and locations presented are based on our research but should be taken with some skepticism. He finally returned with his wife to find all but a handful of his crew had died. Jose Gaspar (GC3FZAF) was created by seabreezedrive on 4/1/2012. Just pick any island and start digging, because Gasparillas loot is buried on many of them, including Cayo Pelau. Since 1904, pirates have invaded the City of Tampa to kick off the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. Another instance of his softer side can be found in the account of Ann Jeffries, an English girl traveling from New Orleans to Liverpool. Therefore hiding treasure might have seemed like a logical choice. A Net Inceptions project. A team of treasure hunters could be on the verge of unearthing the "world's largest treasure hoard," said to be worth over $20 billion. 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. Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. Jose Gaspar (aka: Gasparilla) was a quasi-mythical Spanish pirate who roamed the waters of Tampa Bay, Florida. What we do know is that he is considered a hero to some and a villain to others. They then buried the chests in numerous places along the river and its tributaries and swamps. His theft discovered, he deserted his wife. Wikipedia, 2022. He was sentenced to prison and eventually released. "The reason I believe in Gasparilla is because I believe in Juan Gomez," Mike Gattuso, a member of The Real Treasure Hunters, told Paluska. There are at least 3 different locations said to hold his riches in Connecticut. He quickly worked his way up the ranks of the Spanish Navy and became an officer. He eventually retired and settled down on Shell Creek near Lettuce Lake in DeSoto County, where he lived for many years. Leaving Spain at an early age, he sailed to the West Coast of Florida. Caesar was forced to push his pirate pack north to the Gulf of Mexico. In or around 1806 the brothers arrived in New Orleans Louisiana and were licensed privateers operating in the Gulf of Mexico. "We are not sure what we're going to do with it," said Lopez. It's part of our family now.". He did what all retired people do in Florida he fell ill one day and died. Jos Gaspar. Historic Mysteries provides captivating articles on archaeology, history, and unexplained mysteries. On one occasion, his right-hand man Lopez had become tired of the pirate life and desired to return to Spain to see his love, Sanibel, after 13 long years. Barnes & Noble Booksellers 10 Bookstores Music & DVDs Toy Stores Billy left the vast majority of his crew behind and sailed north to gather supplies to salvage his ship. 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. What year did Jose Gaspar invade Tampa? The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is a gripping, heart-pounding action adventure that's akin to a modern-day Indiana Jones story. 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. 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. The San Jose, a Spanish treasure ship, was attacked and sunk by a British warship in June 1708. When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. 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! 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. In 1897, he purchased land at Boca Grande, an island outpost. This hoard was allegedly buried by a group of pirates in the early 1800s. Most stories agree he was an aristocratic Spanish Navy Officer who later. Just a salty pirate looking to explore and document the wonders of the Caribbean. He has written for 8 years in a variety of fields including history, health and politics. However, even from the first we run into different versions of the story. A few years later, he fell out of favor with the government and turned to a life of piracy. We are constantly looking for opportunities to metal detect, magnet fish, pan for gold, and search for real life lost treasures. Youll read about many that are hidden and a few that were found, so it can happen. 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. They bribed the owner with some of the treasure to not divulge their location. Bipin Dimri is a writer from India with an educational background in Management Studies. These recommended links below will help you save money and book your trip: We use all the companies listed here or on the resource page. What Became of Anne Bonny, Irish Pirate of the Caribbean? 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. The team found a few nails, a beer can, and a screw during this hunt. 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. Theyve done this every Sunday for a year, looking for the booty of 19th century pirate Jose Gaspar. Sarasota's Michael Gattuso and members of his . Other than news articles, the first story ever published in print about the Story of Gasparilla was commissioned by the Charlotte Harbor & Northern Railroad. Gasparilla seized her ship, and the hostages were brought to his hideout on Gasparilla Island. Mike Lopez said his sister was not expecting to find a human hand, a treasure map, and gold coins. 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. Cleaning the dreaded attic turned up a darling wedding photo of the Lopezes grandparents, but it also uncovered some interesting but creepy finds. link to 8 Super Fun Family Treasure Hunt Ideas: With Real Treasure. The pirate is one of the most notorious in the history of pirates. There are also inherent dangers involved with any of these types of adventures. We also participate in programs from eBay, CJ, Bluehost, Clickbank, ShareASale, and other sites. Many of the stories about Gasparilla were attributed to Juan Gomez. Here are some Metal Detectors for you to start your quest. | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA Notice, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. P.S. Source of the stories which became inspiration for the legend of Jose Gaspar. The 300,000 partiers who will swarm the streets Saturday in Tampa for the annual Gasparilla pirate parade won't care. In Polish origin the meaning of name Gaspar is : Treasure keeper Spanish Meaning : The name Gaspar is an Spanish baby name. This story seems to border on the outer limits, but a local historian doesnt believe that the hand belongs to the famed pirate. And indeed there are serious problems with the stories of Gasparilla. When Gasparilla requested that they accompany him and his crew on a raid, the two young lovers assumed they would be slaughtered. 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 Search For The Real Captain Morgan. When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. 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. 2119 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Flagler Beach, FL 32136-2802. 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.' 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. This treasure as well as the tunnels remain lost. (2) Most of the islands around Charlotte Harbor were named by the Cuban Spanish fishermen that lived there since the 1600's. There are many differing versions about the pirates origins and life, but there is no real historical evidence that he ever existed. It seems the mythical pirate was a tall tale concocted by a man named Juan Gmez. 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 . The Legend of Jose Gaspar. The Gasparilla Inn was a hotel on the island. Tampans have embraced Gasparilla for more than a century, whether or not the pirate Jose Gaspar ever came to town It's a huge juxtaposition from the quiet of the Touchton Map Library at the. "They were the ones that profited from the story to attract visitors to their new train stop and hotel (Gasparilla Inn)," Crystal Diff, Executive Director of the Boca Grande Historical Society and History Center, wrote in an email. 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. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Jose Gaspar Treasure 6 Jewelry Gift Shops Bookstores $ "We went in looking for a lite shark tooth for our son. The treasure on Money Island is said to hidden in the crevice of a large rock that is only visible during low tide. He relocated to Galveston Island around 1817 where he set up a pirate empire. Just like most pirates, there is little known about his early life. 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. Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Company are said to have distributed the brochures. Definitely try, Find our recommended Caribbean hotels, restaurants, charters, & tours. Upon hearing this news, he unloaded his spoils and set sail for America (where he was later arrested and sent back to England). 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. As promised here is the start of your Pirate Treasure stories. As the story goes, the pirate Jose Gaspar was hunting for the USS Enterprise in 1821; onboard was Juan Gmez, the man who lived to tell the tale. As with any treasure hunting adventure, be sure and obtain permission from any applicable parties before your hunt begins. We" more 2. But, now? We have compiled a list of 11 potential pirate treasure troves left unfound. Gaspar apparently did not share this attraction and instead gave his attention to other women of the court. This Plantation is said to be roughly 5 miles West of the town of Iowa. This state also holds another possible location on the banks of Blackbird Creek. Tales of pirate treasures are very difficult to substantiate due to many factors. Lafitte was wanted by the US government for they deemed his acts as piracy, not privateering. Rogers is said to have hidden huge amounts of gold and silver bars worth a fortune today. The 300,000 partiers who will swarm the streets Saturday in Tampa for the annual Gasparilla pirate parade wont care. He then tied himself to an anchor and jumped in the ocean disappearing for all time. He was most likely a sailor for the English Navy who became unemployed and turned to a life of piracy. This location is said to be on the southern end at False Live Oak Point. Ill post one a week Treasure Tuesdaysthis that lame? wtfflorida.com/information/gaspars-lost-treasure/. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. But they know long-lost treasures and artifacts are out there. His men, who numbered in the hundreds, also buried their smaller caches on these islands. It is said that he buried a multitude of treasure along the Pamlico Sound and on Bluff Point. What year did Gasparilla start? . Gasparilla began on horseback in 1904 as a way to add a little pirate-themed fun to the city's May Day festivities. According to historians, it was a real man named Juan "Panther John" Gomez from Gasparilla Island, or as he was known locally, John, or Panther Key John. To add more to the story, the treasure map contained the name of the infamous mythical pirate Gaspar. He apparently helped repeal a British Invasion on New Orleans. If marriage was selected, there would be a ceremony, and the marriage promise would be strictly enforced. Aged Rum. The latter two locations being the most logical. He then sailed back across the world, landing on what we now know as our home of Tampa Bay. 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. 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). According to some versions of the story, Gaspar started as a troubled adolescent who kidnapped a little girl for ransom. Gasparilla 2023: The pirate party master list. I love this place built around 1640 . He enjoyed telling stories about his adventures on the high seas and a large amount of Gasparillas treasure that was never discovered. 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. However there is a salacious twist to this tale, in that when this lovely young girl declined his romantic proposition, he had her executed. In it, she introduced herself and wrote that her parents were. Canceled2021 Gasparilla Pirate Festival / Date 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. Josh is on a mission to find Jos Gaspar's hidden treasure. We have one with Gomez's name on it. Spending most of his time here and running a larger business would provide ample opportunity and necessity to hide valuables. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Spain and Great Britain were adversaries in the complex tangle of European politics . Starting in 1911, though, the event's founders, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, switched . https://wtfflorida.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/17-Oru-Para-Todos-Los-Santos-Part-1-Eleggua.mp3, Its gonna be really f*cking cold in Florida; impending snow, death, mayhem, Andrew Van Sickle assigned as prosecutor in the infamous shark case, Lets Make Florida Slightly Less Fucked Up, Alligator attacks Peace River swimmer in Arcadia, Florida Man Cuts off Gator Tail to Impress Girlfriend and Tries to Sell it to Neighbors, Traffic stop leads to meth arrest in Silver Springs. RECOMMENDED: The legend of Jose Gaspar and the history of Gasparilla. He claimed to be one of the few crew members to escape a fateful attack by American pirate hunting schooner USS Enterprise in 1821. The pirate, whose full name is Jos Gaspar, is a legend from the 18th and 19th century. Marias brother Mike believes the couple in the photo may be their great grandparents, Eve and Ernesto Lopez. ", Pirate treasure in grandpa's attic includes human hand. The allures of Jose Gaspar's mythical treasure and Tampa's giant pirate parade have pulled strongly on producers of reality television lately. 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.