Rumor has it, that the stolen goods are still hidden somewhere on the island. 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. Over and out from somewhere south, RumShopRyan. But Rodney Kite-Powell, a Tampa-Bay curator, doesnt believe that the legendary figure was even real. Gaspar was a rebel from an aristocratic upbringing. If there is one thing pirates are known for it is treasure. He soon picked a good spot in Charlotte Harbor, and began to build his pirate kingdom. There is a new book out "Pirates of Southwest Florida, Fact and Legend" by James F. and Sarah Jane Kaserman that debunks some of the stories of Gasparilla. "It's a bunch of heartbreak with little reward and a lot of imagination," said treasure hunter Erin Melcher. 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. I love searching for all types of "treasures" with my family. Similar Names. From real buried treasure, to massive pearl finds, these . These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Also check state and local regulations before you begin any activities such as digging or metal detecting. 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. 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. Rogers lost interest in the hunt after this and it is said he lived near his treasure to guard it for the remainder of his life. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. Or at least thats what Florida folklore would have you believe. 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. We have one with Gomez's name on it. Show more. 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 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. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. The Gasparilla Inn was a hotel on the island. We have compiled a list of 11 potential pirate treasure troves left unfound. His death seems to come straight from Hollywood. 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. You are using an out of date browser. One day Gasparilla prepared to attack a merchantman, but to his surprise, it turned out to be a United States man-of-war. 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. 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. Gasparilla began on horseback in 1904 as a way to add a little pirate-themed fun to the city's May Day festivities. $ 6 reviews. 2 chests are also rumored to be buried on Clarkes Island on the Connecticut River. The legend of Gaspar began making its way into other writings after that, without any other historical evidence to back it up. No Result Found. But the idea of a pirate named Gasparilla (or some variant) goes way back. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co | Flagler Beach, FL 32136. 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. It appears Philip Gosse got the story from Bradlee's book. The items found by his sister were neatly packed inside a wooden box. The parade that follows is one of the largest in the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to Tampa Bay. I have never found any real evidence he lived. 1. This state also holds another possible location on the banks of Blackbird Creek. Go find it, unbury it, take tons of pictures, bury it back again, and prove to the world that you found it. All of it is built around the story of Gaspar. I was totally blown away," said Lopez. 2119 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Flagler Beach, FL 32136-2802. Thread starter seeker41; Start date Apr 29, 2015 Apr 29, 2015 Spending most of his time here and running a larger business would provide ample opportunity and necessity to hide valuables. Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. Marias brother Mike believes the couple in the photo may be their great grandparents, Eve and Ernesto Lopez. JavaScript is disabled. The final and perhaps most intriguing possibility is around the Spanish Fort San Carlos in Pensacola. It's light on history and heavy on action, suspense, and intrigue. ", Pirate treasure in grandpa's attic includes human hand. Rogers is said to have hidden huge amounts of gold and silver bars worth a fortune today. What we do know is that he is considered a hero to some and a villain to others. 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. However there is a salacious twist to this tale, in that when this lovely young girl declined his romantic proposition, he had her executed. Some say it reveals compass bearings around Lettuce Lake. The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is a gripping, heart-pounding action adventure that's akin to a modern-day Indiana Jones story. Gasparilla, if he existed, wrapped himself in chain and jumped overboard with both hands still attached. In Polish origin the meaning of name Gaspar is : Treasure keeper Spanish Meaning : The name Gaspar is an Spanish baby name. Jose Gaspar Treasure Company | Flagler Beach FL It seems the mythical pirate was a tall tale concocted by a man named Juan Gmez. He successfully captured a few ships during his years long voyage. You are using an out of date browser. Ye be walkin the plank if ye so think. "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. Supposedly this fort had hidden tunnels leading under the fort. 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. Treasure Unknown is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Historic Mysteries provides captivating articles on archaeology, history, and unexplained mysteries. The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is a gripping, heart-pounding action adventure that's akin to a modern-day Indiana Jones story. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. A few years later, he fell out of favor with the government and turned to a life of piracy. There have been many stories told of treasure Captain Kidd buried back in America. ", 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. Jos Gaspar. Mysterious box containing a map, coins and a mummified hand found in Tampa Bay attic. Treasure hunter Stacey Hunt holds an old nail found under the ground on a wetland believed to have lost treasure. Some speculate that this is remnants of Rogers great treasure. Who created the man who is now a legend? 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. 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 . His treasure might have been on the ship with him during this battle. Gaspar is presented as dignified, noble in heart and rich and titled in some versions. The choice of the navy career wasn't courage and thirst for adventure on the part of Jose but an expediency of the moment. His sister found a box in their grandfather's attic in Tampa, Fla., a few weeks ago while doing some spring cleaning. Sometime later a large sum of gold coins was found near the Spanish Homestead. 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 . The Search For The Real Captain Morgan. Leading a group of escaped convicts, Gaspar with his stolen ship established a home base in 1783 in the area of Charlotte Harbor, north of the present day Fort Myers on an Island he named "Gasparilla." He is said to have also taken that name for himself as it means "Gaspar the outlaw." Lets do this. And to this day, Jose Gaspar returns on board his pirate ship every year to capture the city.". Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. I'm here writing on Treasureunknown to provide helpful resources so others can get out and enjoy the thrill of the hunt! But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The Legend of Jose Gaspar. Dodge and Hardee get credit for creating Gasparilla, and Hardee and the krewe more so for crafting Gaspar's backstory (including giving him the first name Jose and a death date of 1821). Lesser and Greater Antilles / Windward and Leeward Islands What is What? 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Jose Gaspar Treasure 6 Jewelry Gift Shops Bookstores $ "We went in looking for a lite shark tooth for our son. The rest of the treasure remains hidden, waiting to be found. 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. He would then sell these items to local customers in east Texas. 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. ", 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. The latter two locations being the most logical. Therefore hiding treasure might have seemed like a logical choice. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by, Jose Gaspar is not the only mythical pirate character that has. There are also inherent dangers involved with any of these types of adventures. In his early pirate career, he teamed up with a few other pirates and eventually took over a ship named The Revenge. 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. What year did Jose Gaspar invade Tampa? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Since the 1870s, treasure hunters have been trying unsuccessfully to crack this code you see below: Some say its Spanish. When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. But treasure hunters believe there is truth in his tall tale, and buried treasure is out there. We have seven maps.". The prices seem lower, but not my thing. He quickly worked his way up the ranks of the Spanish Navy and became an officer. What remains of Jos Gaspar today are his stories and legends, but most significant of them all is the secret of these mysterious cherries. So, a real figure or a tall tale told by Floridians? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. History of Gasparilla: Jos Gaspar & his krewe. Name of The Day. Gaspar apparently did not share this attraction and instead gave his attention to other women of the court. Gasparilla 2023: The pirate party master list. Some more information on the cruise of the USS, I did not find a reference to Gaspar in Gardner Allen's, I was always Told Jose Gaspar, was also known as Juan Gomez. This characterization continues through the stories of Gasparilla as a pirate. He supposedly buried large amounts of treasures on the islands around the bay. The Story of Gasparilla by ABC Action News on Scribd. 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. 6 reviews of Jose Gaspar Treasure "This sweet little shell shop is nestled in along A1A and the beautiful Atlantic shoreline. was reading about Jose Gaspar aka Gasparilla Pirate and one story tells of his friend Roderigo Lopez wanting to leave the Pirate life and Gaspar helped him leave, so it seems Maria Lopez great great grandfather may have been Roderigo. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); If anybody wants to start a treasure seach team, WTF Florida?

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