Shopping, Gift & Specialty Shops. 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. Oak Island the Strange, the Bizarre, and Maybe the "Truth! 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. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. I was totally blown away," said Lopez. Friendly down to earth staff. He remembers their grandfather telling stories when they were children of Ernesto finding the treasure of Tampa Bay pirate legend Jose Gaspar. "Possibly keep it forever. Lopez wasn't a fan of pirates when he was growing up. However, he spotted a British merchant ship and could not resist one final prize. (3) The Spanish kept meticulous records and there is no mention of Gasparilla in the archives. One of his ships has been discovered in the waters off of North Carolina and definitely proven to belong to Blackbeard. 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. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The items found by his sister were neatly packed inside a wooden box. Sarasota's Michael Gattuso and members of his . 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. There are numerous tales and stories of pirate treasures hidden thought the world, some of which are not attributed to any particular pirate. The story goes that Lafitte and his men used an old barn on LeBleau Plantation as a gathering location and perhaps buried treasure here. His death seems to come straight from Hollywood. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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. Jose Gaspar Treasure Company | Flagler Beach FL 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. Sometime later a large sum of gold coins was found near the Spanish Homestead. Whether the coins are authentic or not, Mike thinks the hand is real, and may belong to Jose Gaspar himself. There's really no way to know which is the case," Maria wrote, in an email to WTSP-TV. He quickly worked his way up the ranks of the Spanish Navy and became an officer. JavaScript is disabled. What we do know is that he is considered a hero to some and a villain to others. (story from treasurelore.com). 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. When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. The Gasparilla Inn was a hotel on the island. In Polish origin the meaning of name Gaspar is : Treasure keeper Spanish Meaning : The name Gaspar is an Spanish baby name. Rather than be captured by the United States Navy, he wrapped an anchor chain around his leg and jumped overboard, the heavy metal dragging him out of sight into the deep blue waters. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. With Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses, How We Became Mr. and Mrs. . The team used metal detectors and shovels but didn't find anything. Treasure hunter Todd Stager holds a machete on a wetland where him and a small group of treasure hunters believe lies lost treasure on the Peace River in Arcadia. Jose Gaspar has come in handy for parades and celebrations. 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. Plundering the high seas and ports alike resulted in vast riches for some of these ruthless criminals. $ 6 reviews. Legend states they marked a tree by driving a sword into it. A few years later, he fell out of favor with the government and turned to a life of piracy. Some historians say Caesar has between two-and-six million dollars of treasure stashed on Pine Island. It's located on the north side of town, next door to the Turtle Shack cafe. It's light on history and heavy on action, suspense, and intrigue. ", The story of Gaspar begins in 1782; the brochure states, "he stood high in the graces of the Spanish Court, so high indeed that he niched the crown jewels. According to some versions of the story, Gaspar started as a troubled adolescent who kidnapped a little girl for ransom. Ancient Viking treasures found in England actually seems to be a thing, as many of relative value have been found throughout the years. Ye be walkin the plank if ye so think. Or they were always togahter. 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. History of Gasparilla: Jos Gaspar & his krewe. The legend states that Gaspar terrorized the western coastal waters of Florida in the late 18th to early 19th century. Since the 1870s, treasure hunters have been trying unsuccessfully to crack this code you see below: Some say its Spanish. I'm here writing on Treasureunknown to provide helpful resources so others can get out and enjoy the thrill of the hunt! Before deciding to pursue this ship, Gaspar left some of his men behind with the treasure. He wished to return to America to retrieve this treasure after Kidds execution but he never made it back. Gasparilla began on horseback in 1904 as a way to add a little pirate-themed fun to the city's May Day festivities. 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. How did the legend of Gaspar begin? 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! 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. 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 cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. The map is estimated to be from the 1930s and shows the Tampa area. Inside was a tattered map of the Hillsborough River, century-old coins, a family picture and a hand wearing a ring. New Castle Island in Delaware is said to house treasure hidden by pirates from Madagascar in 1699. The poem, maps, comments from other searchers, and other guides to finding the treasure are online and easy to find. This happened in the year 1782. While in Florida, Caesar palled up with Jose Gaspar, better known as "Gasparilla.". He spoke to local TV news network WFLA about the discovery, and the story kept getting stranger. A treasure said to be worth $30 million. When he was wrongfully arrested, he hijacked a ship and fled, promising to seek revenge on his homeland. He soon picked a good spot in Charlotte Harbor, and began to build his pirate kingdom. Treasure hunting can be a fun and exciting activity. Treasure hunter Erin Melcher drives his boat as Michael Gattuso navigates directions to a wetland believed to have lost treasure on the Peace River in Arcadia on Sunday, January 13, 2019. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co | Flagler Beach, FL 32136. For whatever reason, burial of chests laden with gold and jewels seems to be the norm, but is there any pirate treasure left? This endeavor lasted only about 5 years when the us army came to visit Lafitte, asking him to leave. You are using an out of date browser. Much of his treasure was carried to him up the Peace River. Rumor has it, that the stolen goods are still hidden somewhere on the island. The legend of Gaspar was first recorded in promotional materials for this Boca Grande Hotel. Ill post one a week Treasure Tuesdaysthis that lame? . Jose Gaspar, the legendary buccaneer who inspired Tampas Gasparilla Pirate Festival, as well as fantastic tales of lost treasure, most likely never really existed. Gaspar realized in this moment that he had found the treasure he was searching for. When Jose Gaspar died, he supposedly left an untold fortune in buried treasure somewhere along the Florida coast. 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. Later that fall, he captured a large French slave ship bound for some sugar plantations. In the 1690s a war broke out between England and France. 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. He supposedly buried 3 chests under a palm tree somewhere in the vicinity. As promised here is the start of your Pirate Treasure stories. Go find it, unbury it, take tons of pictures, bury it back again, and prove to the world that you found it. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. He vowed revenge on those who had framed him and was forced to turn to a life of piracy. In the following years, he accumulated a board estimated at $30,000,000. Latest Blog . ", 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. If marriage was selected, there would be a ceremony, and the marriage promise would be strictly enforced. Leaving Spain at an early age, he sailed to the West Coast of Florida. Upon hearing this news, he unloaded his spoils and set sail for America (where he was later arrested and sent back to England). The vessel was said to be transporting gold, silver and precious gems collected in the South . Crystal and I greatly appreciate any support! Jose Gaspar Treasure 6 Jewelry Gift Shops Bookstores $ "We went in looking for a lite shark tooth for our son. We will discuss a few of them here. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". He did what all retired people do in Florida he fell ill one day and died. Source of the stories which became inspiration for the legend of Jose Gaspar. The men were executed but Gomez was to be the final survivor of this piratical outfit. We have compiled a list of 11 potential pirate treasure troves left unfound. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Just like most pirates, there is little known about his early life. Legend has it that in the late 1700s, a pirate named Jose Gaspar kidnapped the Spanish princess Joseffa de Mayorga. So are you juiced up and just caught the gold fever? What year did Jose Gaspar invade Tampa? "But, what we believe is that Juan Gomez had ties to him. Billy left the vast majority of his crew behind and sailed north to gather supplies to salvage his ship. As with any treasure hunting adventure, be sure and obtain permission from any applicable parties before your hunt begins. Treasure hunter Stacey Hunt holds an old nail found under the ground on a wetland believed to have lost treasure. 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. A fisherman at Stafford Point in Connecticut is rumored to have spotted some pirates burying a heavy looking chest at Stratford Point in Connecticut during the late 1600s. Gasparilla seized her ship, and the hostages were brought to his hideout on Gasparilla Island. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. "I'm considering it," he said with a big smile. Photos show a centuries-old shipwreck found off Colombia's coast carrying lost treasure worth billions of dollars, including gold coins and emeralds. Also check state and local regulations before you begin any activities such as digging or metal detecting. 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. Toward the end of his pirate career, Bowlegs was being pursued by an English warship. There are a few pirates who may have hidden treasure at this spot, including Billy. "We do have some treasure maps, and we're working on them," Gattuso said. For one, there is no evidence of his pirate empire. A few months ago, Gattuso found a Calusa bone tool that is now part of the Useppa Island museum's collection. Did Grandpa find pirate treasure? 2 chests are also rumored to be buried on Clarkes Island on the Connecticut River. 1. He even set up a blockade of the port of Charleston in South Carolina for 6 days. Legend has it that Gasparilla spotted a huge ship sailing in the distance. 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. There are many differing versions about the pirates origins and life, but there is no real historical evidence that he ever existed. One of the most popular pirates in Florida folklore is Jose' Gaspar. Despite its long history, there is no definitive origin of the name. The pirate, whose full name is Jos Gaspar, is a legend from the 18th and 19th century. "We are not sure what we're going to do with it," said Lopez. What Became of Anne Bonny, Irish Pirate of the Caribbean? Jos Gaspar. 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. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. His headquarters were at Boca Grande, on what is today known as Gasparilla Island. Tales of pirate treasures are very difficult to substantiate due to many factors. Most of the suspected locations are in and around the state of Florida. It is said that he buried a multitude of treasure along the Pamlico Sound and on Bluff Point. The city of Tampa hosts a Gasparilla Day each year. He met and married his wife in New York and had 2 daughters. When he finally realized that it was a warship, it was too late. 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. Here are some Metal Detectors for you to start your quest. And that's what we've been chasing. I'm Clint, the guy behind Treasureunknown. 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. Definitely try, Find our recommended Caribbean hotels, restaurants, charters, & tours. Jose Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia: Politician: Capricon: 06 January 1766 AD . My grandfather had a book on all these when I was younger. 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. These stories really get your imagination scrambling about finding buried riches yourself. Many say he buried treasure here during this time. 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. Hiding treasure under a well constructed fort is a much more logical thought than those previously mentioned. 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 parade that follows is one of the largest in the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to Tampa Bay. Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. Gasparilla, if he existed, wrapped himself in chain and jumped overboard with both hands still attached. 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. Most confirm that the "Floridablanca" was the name of his pirate ship and the one that he served upon in the Navy. All rights reserved. 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. Gaspar caught wind of his coming doom, and escaped via ship to America. Old Hand Found In Florida Attic With Coins And Treasure Map. Debbie gave us a great tip to hide the tooth in the sand and make our son think he found it. "The reason I believe in Gasparilla is because I believe in Juan Gomez," Mike Gattuso, a member of The Real Treasure Hunters, told Paluska. This hoard was allegedly buried by a group of pirates in the early 1800s. And she actually had maps, and she had stories that were passed down to the family about these treasures. 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. They took the box to a few antique stores around Tampa and the contents were described as "gruesome and authentic.". He spent nearly 30 years plundering ships in and around the gulf coast. Treasure hunter Erin Melcher. You must log in or register to reply here. Retail store with the following - shells, shellcraft, wood carvings, shark teeth and jaws,. Icelanders and the Huldufolk: A Nation Gripped by Farinis Great Discovery: Is there a Lost City Top Ten Knights of King Arthurs Round Table. The prices are great and you can walk more than one foot without seeing some adorable little trinket that you just can't live without. We're back to the hotel brochure. So, a real figure or a tall tale told by Floridians? Is this the hand and treasure of Jose Gaspar? The Gaspar myth in the very beginning was tied to the Charlotte Harbor area. If we find that buried treasure together, we can split the booty among all of our readers and we never have to work again. The tale of pirate captain Jos Gaspar who, according to the stories, ravaged the west coast of Spanish Florida for 40 years is the inspiration for a bombastic plundering that continues from 1905. 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. . In different accounts, details of his early life, motivations, and activities varied. This was around the 1870s, after the Civil War. Caesar was forced to push his pirate pack north to the Gulf of Mexico. His ship soon followed him to the watery depths. Email him at elcompa29@gmail.com. Pirate Photo byScott UmstattdonUnsplash, Lafitte Photo By Anonymous Rosenberg Library, Galveston, Texas, Public Domain, Skully Photo byLuke SouthernonUnsplash. The story of the famed pirate may have been the tall tale of a U.S. naval officer. 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. But the idea of a pirate named Gasparilla (or some variant) goes way back. His sister found a box in their grandfather's attic in Tampa, Fla., a few weeks ago while doing some spring cleaning. "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. According to the sources we studied, Gaspar was probably born in Spain in 1756. 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. In this time Spain controlled a huge swathe of the Americas and Gaspar grew rich. Sign up for our WTFF Newsletter to get weird Florida news delivered straight to your email: WTFF News: Because regular news is depressing. Bipin Dimri is a writer from India with an educational background in Management Studies. Deleware holds one more possibility around Woodland Beach. From a four-mile long parade of pirates and period memorabilia on display, to specialty packages and a waterfront half . This is extremely suspect as this is the same location rumored to hide the treasure of Billy Bowlegs Rogers. The Story of Gasparilla by ABC Action News on Scribd. This story seems to border on the outer limits, but a local historian doesnt believe that the hand belongs to the famed pirate. 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. 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.
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