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. This characterization continues through the stories of Gasparilla as a pirate. The prices seem lower, but not my thing. While in Florida, Caesar palled up with Jose Gaspar, better known as "Gasparilla.". What date is Gasparilla 2021? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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 . When Jose Gaspar died, he supposedly left an untold fortune in buried treasure somewhere along the Florida coast. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 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. We have compiled a list of 11 potential pirate treasure troves left unfound. Bipin Dimri is a writer from India with an educational background in Management Studies. It's part of our family now.". May 4, 1904Gasparilla Pirate Festival / First event date. And that's what we've been chasing. Whilst swimming in Key West, he and a team of specialists find a huge anchor that may have been from Gaspar's vessel. " Mar 2021 We really enjoyed shopping here! Jean Lafitte. Leaving Spain at an early age, he sailed to the West Coast of Florida. The story states that Rogers discovered these lost tunnels and used them to store his treasure. 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. Powell showed us museum exhibits full of gold coins recovered from shipwrecks and explained how the legend of Jose Gaspar launched the Gasparilla Pirate Festival we know and love today. Ancient Viking treasures found in England actually seems to be a thing, as many of relative value have been found throughout the years. Jos Gaspar allegedly lived between 1756 and 1821 and was based on southwest Florida, on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. Enjoy. Buumi . He did what all retired people do in Florida he fell ill one day and died. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. He has written for 8 years in a variety of fields including history, health and politics. The items found by his sister were neatly packed inside a wooden box. 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. Louisiana makes sense because during most of his time here, he was considered a fugitive by the US. There is another treasure said to be buried on Kelly Island in Delaware by James Gillian, a member of Kidds crew. The pirate is one of the most notorious in the history of pirates. He successfully captured a few ships during his years long voyage. Michael Gattuso and his crew got a cable debut Wednesday night in an episode of Discovery Channel's show "Expedition Unknown." Barnes & Noble Booksellers 10 Bookstores Music & DVDs Toy Stores Pirate Blackbeard entered the history books in the early 1700s. 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. . Since 1904, pirates have invaded the City of Tampa to kick off the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. This allegedly infuriated the young lady who devised a plan to essentially frame Gaspar for stealing some jewels. From seashells to lost treasure, this shop has it all. There's really no way to know which is the case," Maria wrote, in an email to WTSP-TV. A couple of his rancher buddies found him and buried him. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This endeavor lasted only about 5 years when the us army came to visit Lafitte, asking him to leave. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. You must log in or register to reply here. He relocated to Galveston Island around 1817 where he set up a pirate empire. Some speculate that this is remnants of Rogers great treasure. He even set up a blockade of the port of Charleston in South Carolina for 6 days. Josh is on a mission to find Jos Gaspar's hidden 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. "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. It does not store any personal data. Gasparilla fell in love with Jeffries while on land, but she informed him that she had fallen in love with one of his crew, Batista Fuentes, a handsome and well-educated man from a famous family. Born in 1756 in Spain, Gaspar served in the Spanish Navy until a mutiny in 1783. The 300,000 partiers who will swarm the streets Saturday in Tampa for the annual Gasparilla pirate parade won't care. 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? Paluska and ABC Action News photojournalist Reed Moeller took a 20-minute ferry ride from Pine Island to Useppa Island, the location where Gaspar is said to have beheaded a Spanish Princess. 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. Location & Hours 2119 N Oceanshore Blvd Flagler Beach, FL 32136 Get directions Edit business info You Might Also Consider Sponsored Purple Haze 22 23.4 miles away from Jose Gaspar Treasure Marcus E. said "Hand crafted glass smoking utensils. The city of Tampa hosts a Gasparilla Day each year. Despite his brutal reputation, Gasparilla was supposed to have a soft side as well. Who was this figure, and what was he supposed to have done? 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. This is believed to be part of the bribe money given to the owner. 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. RECOMMENDED: The legend of Jose Gaspar and the history of Gasparilla. In or around 1806 the brothers arrived in New Orleans Louisiana and were licensed privateers operating in the Gulf of Mexico. 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. For whatever reason, burial of chests laden with gold and jewels seems to be the norm, but is there any pirate treasure left? Is this the hand and treasure of Jose Gaspar? Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Treasure hunter Erin Melcher. The Story of Jose Gaspar Jos Gaspar allegedly lived between 1756 and 1821 and was based on southwest Florida, on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. However, like Billy Bowlegs, Jose Gaspar the lack of historical evidence suggests he never existed.21 Although most Tampa residents and several books claim Jose Gaspar was authentic, so far no documentation has proven he was real.22 The Gasparilla Pirate Festival started in 1904, and since it started a full fifty years before the Billy Bowlegs . To learn more, visit our. 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. The story goes that Lafitte and his men used an old barn on LeBleau Plantation as a gathering location and perhaps buried treasure here. (3) The Spanish kept meticulous records and there is no mention of Gasparilla in the archives. So, a real figure or a tall tale told by Floridians? Here is what we have been able to piece together about this controversial pirate. Old Hand Found In Florida Attic With Coins And Treasure Map. 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. Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. 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. Icelanders and the Huldufolk: A Nation Gripped by Farinis Great Discovery: Is there a Lost City Top Ten Knights of King Arthurs Round Table. Leaving Spain at an early age, he sailed to the West Coast of Florida. So it is a huge, huge draw for people to come to Tampa.". http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/f2/ferret-iii.htm, Florida's Pirate Jose Gaspar and his Treasure Story. You are using an out of date browser. Dropa Stones: Are They 12,000 Year Old Discs? The ship contained $1,000,000 in assorted treasure, and should be there today. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Once he was a few hundred meters away, the British flag came down and the American flag rose up the mast. Jos Gaspar. A Tampa, Florida family going through their grandparent's attic made an interesting discovery: a treasure map, some coins, and an old human hand! The San Jose galleon was believed to have been . According to other versions of the narrative, Gaspar was a nobleman who rose through the ranks of the Spanish Royal Navy and became a councilor to King Charles III of Spain. You are using an out of date browser. Once again our legend states that he hid 3 large chests among a group of trees on San Jose Island. Gasparilla seized her ship, and the hostages were brought to his hideout on Gasparilla Island. Always being on the run from mercenaries, armies, navies, and any and all other law enforcement agencies of the day, often resulted in the necessity to hide their riches. "You'll hear more of us, you know; we'll do this until we're old and, you know, can't do it anymore.". Legend has it that in the late 1700s, a pirate named Jose Gaspar kidnapped the Spanish princess Joseffa de Mayorga. | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA Notice, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. And to this day, Jose Gaspar returns on board his pirate ship every year to capture the city.". 3. We thought that was awesome. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. Treasure hunting can be a fun and exciting activity. Shopping, Gift & Specialty Shops. 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. Lafayette Street, which is now Kennedy Boulevard is also labeled on the map. He spoke to local TV news network WFLA about the discovery, and the story kept getting stranger. "Possibly keep it forever. The treasure: Slave-turned-pirate Henri Caesar stole a ship in Haiti to seek his fortune on the Spanish Main and Florida waters. They used Barataria Bay in Louisiana as a hub for their enterprise. Chasing Treasure: The myth of Gasparilla and the real-life man Juan Gomez. He found a hillside where he buried 2 pirate chests filled with valuable metals and jewels. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. According to the story, Gaspar had underestimated the USS Enterprise as an easy target. When it comes to spring cleaning, its always nice to have a spare hand to help. Over and out from somewhere south, RumShopRyan. This tale doesnt give the Lopezes a helping hand in solving the mystery of the finds from their grandparents attic. The poem, maps, comments from other searchers, and other guides to finding the treasure are online and easy to find. (2) Most of the islands around Charlotte Harbor were named by the Cuban Spanish fishermen that lived there since the 1600's. And she actually had maps, and she had stories that were passed down to the family about these treasures. Caesar was forced to push his pirate pack north to the Gulf of Mexico. Jos Gaspar. 128 were here. wtfflorida.com/information/gaspars-lost-treasure/. 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. He then sailed back across the world, landing on what we now know as our home of Tampa Bay. What year did Gasparilla start? The pirate is one of the most notorious in the history of pirates. Most, if not all, historians agree the pirate named Jose Gaspar never existed. Despite its long history, there is no definitive origin of the name. Website. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. ", 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. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. All had been going along fine for Gasparilla until the year 1822. I was totally blown away," said Lopez. This story states that the vast treasure was actually siting on the beach in numerous chests waiting to be divided. 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. Lots of shells and jewelry and other gifts. Pirate Photo byScott UmstattdonUnsplash, Lafitte Photo By Anonymous Rosenberg Library, Galveston, Texas, Public Domain, Skully Photo byLuke SouthernonUnsplash. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. In fact, we dont even know for certain his real name. It may not display this or other websites correctly. 6 reviews of Jose Gaspar Treasure "This sweet little shell shop is nestled in along A1A and the beautiful Atlantic shoreline. USEPPA ISLAND, Fla. Most, if not all, historians agree the pirate named Jose Gaspar never existed. Another instance of his softer side can be found in the account of Ann Jeffries, an English girl traveling from New Orleans to Liverpool. He renamed this ship Queen Anns Revenger which gave him one of the largest fleets on the East coast of America and Caribbean. 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. 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. Youll read about many that are hidden and a few that were found, so it can happen. "Maria came across it and once she told me she found a hand in a box. Most of the suspected locations are in and around the state of Florida. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. Is this your business? Billy left the vast majority of his crew behind and sailed north to gather supplies to salvage his ship. During this time a woman of the royal family, rumored to be the kings daughter-in-law sought the attention of this young naval officer. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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! New details have emerged about the San Jose, a Spanish galleon sunk by British ships 300 years ago. Hiding treasure under a well constructed fort is a much more logical thought than those previously mentioned. 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. By Geoff Dobson. Some say it reveals compass bearings around Lettuce Lake. Since the 1870s, treasure hunters have been trying unsuccessfully to crack this code you see below: Some say its Spanish. 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 . It is said that Captain Kidd came ashore here. The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. The parade that follows is one of the largest in the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to Tampa Bay. A Beginners Guide to Magnet Fishing: 15 Sure Fire Tips. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by, Jose Gaspar is not the only mythical pirate character that has. The rest of the treasure remains hidden, waiting to be found. There are many differing versions about the pirates origins and life, but there is no real historical evidence that he ever existed. But, now? 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. On my recent visit, I was on a shell mission to use for a hairpiece for a . 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. However, even from the first we run into different versions of the story. When his attempts to capture Joseffa's heart were met with contempt, Gaspar used Useppa Island to imprison the proud princess, and the isle came to be known as "Joseffa's Island." Barron G. Collier Jose Gaspar has come in handy for parades and celebrations. The most notorious and successful pirate was Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla.