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! Evidently, though, the treasure is not. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. St. Vincent Island off the coast of Florida is said to have been an island frequented by early pirates. According to the story, Gaspar had underestimated the USS Enterprise as an easy target. It appears Philip Gosse got the story from Bradlee's book. But, now? Not being able to pass up this giant score, he pursed the ship that was flying a British flag. Wikipedia, 2022. The most notorious and successful pirate was Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla. Mysterious box containing a map, coins and a mummified hand found in Tampa Bay attic. CBS affiliate WPEC-TV reported that 43-year-old treasure hunter Jonah Martinez located the coins using a . In 1897, he purchased land at Boca Grande, an island outpost. The treasure on Money Island is said to hidden in the crevice of a large rock that is only visible during low tide. link to 8 Super Fun Family Treasure Hunt Ideas: With Real Treasure. Retail store with the following - shells, shellcraft, wood carvings, shark teeth and jaws,. Jose Lopez's sister, Maria, was cleaning out the attic of a home owned by her great-grandparents, Eve and Ernesto Lopez, in Tampa's historic Ybor City area, when she stumbled upon the box, WFLA-TV reports. The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. The Gaspar myth in the very beginning was tied to the Charlotte Harbor area. His theft discovered, he deserted his wife. There are at least 3 different locations said to hold his riches in Connecticut. The parade that follows is one of the largest in the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to Tampa Bay. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. There have been many stories told of treasure Captain Kidd buried back in America. What he thought was a British cargo ship turned out to be the USS Enterprise, on a mission to end piracy. The gold coins were too thin and too old to pass as authentic Spanish treasure. The team, known as the "Temple Twelve," have been . This Plantation is said to be roughly 5 miles West of the town of Iowa. Most, if not all, historians agree the pirate named Jose Gaspar never existed. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co | Flagler Beach, FL 32136. These wealthy civilizations flourished for hundreds of years spreading (386) 439-3061. He spent nearly 30 years plundering ships in and around the gulf coast. I'm Clint, the guy behind Treasureunknown. Therefore hiding treasure might have seemed like a logical choice. RECOMMENDED: The legend of Jose Gaspar and the history of Gasparilla. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. One of the most popular pirates in Florida folklore is Jose' Gaspar. Jos Gaspar allegedly lived between 1756 and 1821 and was based on southwest Florida, on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. The American Government then decided to get into the act and sent a Navy squadron to end his career. He supposedly buried large amounts of treasures on the islands around the bay. New details have emerged about the San Jose, a Spanish galleon sunk by British ships 300 years ago. You are using an out of date browser. You are using an out of date browser. He wished to return to America to retrieve this treasure after Kidds execution but he never made it back. Gaspar is presented as dignified, noble in heart and rich and titled in some versions. This location is said to be on the southern end at False Live Oak Point. Lafayette Street, which is now Kennedy Boulevard is also labeled on the map. Still, it was not very soon after that, that Tampa captured that myth," Kite-Powell said. Inside, bound to the box by copper wire, she found a dessicated hand wearing a ring with the word "Gaspar" on . His headquarters were at Boca Grande, on what is today known as Gasparilla Island. How did the legend of Gaspar begin? Here is what we have been able to piece together about this controversial pirate. A unique legend of pirate treasure in Indiana is intriguing. "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 legend of Gaspar began making its way into other writings after that, without any other historical evidence to back it up. Photos show a centuries-old shipwreck found off Colombia's coast carrying lost treasure worth billions of dollars, including gold coins and emeralds. Blackbeard captured an estimated 40 different ships and vessels in a little less than 2 years off the east coast of America and across the Caribbean. Jean Lafitte. All of it is built around the story of Gaspar. 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. 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. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. Available at: https://ymkg.com/the-legend-of-jose-gasparilla/. This action helped turn opinion of Lafitte from villain to hero. 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. Box allegedly containing Gaspars hand and related items Photo Credit. Also check state and local regulations before you begin any activities such as digging or metal detecting. One day Gasparilla prepared to attack a merchantman, but to his surprise, it turned out to be a United States man-of-war. Tales of pirate treasures are very difficult to substantiate due to many factors. wtfflorida.com/information/gaspars-lost-treasure/. 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. Seeing the writing on the wall, he decided to scuttle his own ship and hide with his crew in the forrest. 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. 6 reviews of Jose Gaspar Treasure "This sweet little shell shop is nestled in along A1A and the beautiful Atlantic shoreline. $ 6 reviews. I have never found any real evidence he lived. The city of Tampa hosts a Gasparilla Day each year. In his early pirate career, he teamed up with a few other pirates and eventually took over a ship named The Revenge. 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 When Jose Gaspar died, he supposedly left an untold fortune in buried treasure somewhere along the Florida coast. Enjoy. Another logical location said to hide this cache of valuables is in South Carolina. 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. We have one with Gomez's name on it. 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. Just . 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. Years ago I hunted the fabled Jose Gaspar treasure pirate who, as the story goes, was a pirate on the gulf coast and when attacked by a US Navy vessel, wrapped the anchor chain around him and jumped in while his crew escaped up Peace River with treasure to a property owner named Lady Boggess near an area called Lettuce Lake. He is even said to have buried treasure somewhere on the island near where the lighthouse now stands. (story from treasurelore.com). Theyve done this every Sunday for a year, looking for the booty of 19th century pirate Jose Gaspar. Legend has it that Gasparilla spotted a huge ship sailing in the distance. When he was wrongfully arrested, he hijacked a ship and fled, promising to seek revenge on his homeland. 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. "We do have some treasure maps, and we're working on them," Gattuso said. The Search For The Real Captain Morgan. You'll need a boat or kayak for this cache. Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. 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 . The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is a gripping, heart-pounding action adventure that's akin to a modern-day Indiana Jones story. It may not display this or other websites correctly. When you go in the attic you expect to find something old. Michael Gattuso and his crew got a cable debut Wednesday night in an episode of Discovery Channel's show "Expedition Unknown." It was a simple wooden box, but inside were fascinating (and macabre) clues to a family mystery. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. We have seven maps.". 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. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. "Maria came across it and once she told me she found a hand in a box. He enjoyed telling stories about his adventures on the high seas and a large amount of Gasparillas treasure that was never discovered. Despite his brutal reputation, Gasparilla was supposed to have a soft side as well. No contemporaneous mention of his existence or achievements has ever been found in Spanish or American ship logs, court documents, newspapers, or other archives, and no tangible items associated with Gaspar have been unearthed in the area where he is said to have operated. Source: Theartofphoto / Adobe Stock. 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. again not sure of the thought process of choosing a tree as a landmark for millions of dollars in treasure, but that is how the story goes. Pricing is not too high. When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. It does not store any personal data. "And it was from that little nugget of information that came from the Charlotte Harbor railroad about a pirate named Gaspar that the whole legend of Gasparilla and Jose Gaspar came about, but it was Ye Mystic Krewe that fleshed it out. 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. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. 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. The allures of Jose Gaspar's mythical treasure and Tampa's giant pirate parade have pulled strongly on producers of reality television lately. The rest of the treasure remains hidden, waiting to be found. Louisiana makes sense because during most of his time here, he was considered a fugitive by the US. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. 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. Leaving soon? In this time Spain controlled a huge swathe of the Americas and Gaspar grew rich. Texas is also a logical location for this pirate to bury treasure. It's located in Florida, United States.A real, albeit, small treasure chest on a real small island. Oak Island: Legends of Pirates and Treasure, Barbarossa the Pirate: Scourge of the Mediterranean, Flying Dutchman: Phantom Ship, Legend and Sightings, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Gaspar, https://www.wfla.com/news/gasparilla/history-of-gasparilla-jose-gaspar-his-krewe/, https://ymkg.com/the-legend-of-jose-gasparilla/. 3. Most of the suspected locations are in and around the state of Florida. 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. Florida at this time was in its Second Spanish Period which runs from 1783 to 1821. | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA Notice, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We actually located the great great, great, great-granddaughter of Juan Gomez. Other than news articles, the first story ever published in print about the Story of Gasparilla was commissioned by the Charlotte Harbor & Northern Railroad. What we do know is that he is considered a hero to some and a villain to others. The San Jose galleon was believed to have been . They took the box to a few antique stores around Tampa and the contents were described as "gruesome and authentic.". He claimed to be one of the few crew members to escape a fateful attack by American pirate hunting schooner USS Enterprise in 1821. This state also holds another possible location on the banks of Blackbird Creek. Story continues below video. 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. 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. jose gaspar, coins, and treasuremap found. 2009-2021 Historic Mysteries. However, if they do, they are still up for grabs. Overview. Legend has it that in the late 1700s, a pirate named Jose Gaspar kidnapped the Spanish princess Joseffa de Mayorga. 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." 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. Do you think there's buried treasure out there? We also participate in programs from eBay, CJ, Bluehost, Clickbank, ShareASale, and other sites. And indeed there are serious problems with the stories of Gasparilla. The brochure relied heavily on the stories told by John Gomez. It's part of our family now.". "But, what we believe is that Juan Gomez had ties to him. When it comes to spring cleaning, its always nice to have a spare hand to help. They used Barataria Bay in Louisiana as a hub for their enterprise. It's light on history and heavy on action, suspense, and intrigue. All rights reserved. Named for legendary pirate, Jose Gaspar, who terrorized the coastal waters of West Florida during the 18th and early 19th centuries, Tampa Bay's destination-wide annual Gasparilla celebration kicks off each January with a full schedule of exciting pirate-themed events. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. So, a real figure or a tall tale told by Floridians? A fortune worth $1 million when it was hidden in 2010 is waiting to be picked up somewhere in the Rocky Mountains just a few miles from Santa Fe, New Mexico. He vowed revenge on those who had framed him and was forced to turn to a life of piracy. Historic Mysteries is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. 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. May 4, 1904Gasparilla Pirate Festival / First event date. If there is one thing pirates are known for it is treasure. Oak Island the Strange, the Bizarre, and Maybe the "Truth! In the following years, he accumulated a board estimated at $30,000,000. He was sentenced to prison and eventually released. Jose Gaspar Treasure 6 Jewelry Gift Shops Bookstores $ "We went in looking for a lite shark tooth for our son. New Castle Island in Delaware is said to house treasure hidden by pirates from Madagascar in 1699. Having spent some time here, Blackbeard built a fort near a swamp west of Charleston. He met and married his wife in New York and had 2 daughters. There are also inherent dangers involved with any of these types of adventures. Since 1904, pirates have invaded the City of Tampa to kick off the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. But treasure hunters believe there is truth in his tall tale, and buried treasure is out there. Our knowledge of Jean and his brother Pierre begins in the early 1800s. 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. On the Hawaiian island of Oahu there is said to be six chests buried along a stone wall somewhere around Kaena Point. 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. 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. However, there is another story, that has some validity, of what happened to his treasure. Gaspar apparently did not share this attraction and instead gave his attention to other women of the court. . All my curanderos, check out the first word on the second line play the song below for inspiration: Please support WTFFlorida.com by making a donation. Similar Names. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Keep me posted! First of all there was a Spanish Catholic missionary named Gasparillo that had a mission on the island that bears his name. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Oak Island the Strange, the Bizarre, and Maybe the "Truth! (2) Most of the islands around Charlotte Harbor were named by the Cuban Spanish fishermen that lived there since the 1600's. Another report states that he hid several chests in a small river somewhere in the vicinity of the Bay. 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. 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. 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? It's located on the north side of town, next door to the Turtle Shack cafe. The ship contained $1,000,000 in assorted treasure, and should be there today. 2. Charlotte Harbor is an ideal spot to go treasure hunting. Many say he buried treasure here during this time. Canceled2021 Gasparilla Pirate Festival / Date Since 1904, pirates have invaded the City of Tampa to kick off the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. Since the 1870s, treasure hunters have been trying unsuccessfully to crack this code you see below: Some say its Spanish. Treasure hunter Erin Melcher. What year did Jose Gaspar invade Tampa? Despite its long history, there is no definitive origin of the name. However, this treasure is also attributed to the infamous pirate Blackbeard. For one, there is no evidence of his pirate empire. Strap yourself in for a wild ride and buy this international bestselling book today! We" more 2. The author of the pamphlet readily stated that the spectacular tale was a work of fiction with no genuine facts in it. (4) The person who gets most of the credit for the Gasparilla myth is John Gomez who drowned around 1900 at the age of 122. This is believed to be part of the bribe money given to the owner. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. Though he is a popular figure in Florida folklore, no evidence of his existence appears in writing before the early 20th century. JavaScript is disabled. As with any treasure hunting adventure, be sure and obtain permission from any applicable parties before your hunt begins. The story goes that Lafitte and his men used an old barn on LeBleau Plantation as a gathering location and perhaps buried treasure here. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". . The choice of the navy career wasn't courage and thirst for adventure on the part of Jose but an expediency of the moment. These tunnels converged into a large chamber underground. There are numerous legends and tales of buried treasure on this island. He ignored this order and stayed in Galveston for about another year before the Army returned forcing him to leave. Most confirm that the "Floridablanca" was the name of his pirate ship and the one that he served upon in the Navy. Magnet fishing is a hobby that is quickly increasing in popularity with good reason. 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 cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. "We are not sure what we're going to do with it," said Lopez. 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. Read another story from us:Norways Saint Olaf Uncovered: Archaeologists Believe They have Discovered the Shrine of the Lost Viking King. "So, it's interesting how Tampa, in a sense, stole; we were pirates ourselves. 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. I'm here writing on Treasureunknown to provide helpful resources so others can get out and enjoy the thrill of the hunt! The American Continents have a rich treasure history dating back to ancient civilizations of the Toltecs and Aztecs who understood the mining and smelting of gold and silver from which they made ornaments shields and household utensils. Kidd set sail for England and was commissioned as a privateer by the English government. Who created the man who is now a legend? This treasure as well as the tunnels remain lost. 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. 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. 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.' What remains of Jos Gaspar today are his stories and legends, but most significant of them all is the secret of these mysterious cherries. His methods were black and bloody, and he stands out among all the pirates who used Florida to bury their wealth. There are many differing versions about the pirates origins and life, but there is no real historical evidence that he ever existed. Lesser and Greater Antilles / Windward and Leeward Islands What is What? Gasparilla 2023: The pirate party master list. 2 chests are also rumored to be buried on Clarkes Island on the Connecticut River. He did what all retired people do in Florida he fell ill one day and died. Pirate treasure rumors. Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. So it is a huge, huge draw for people to come to Tampa.". Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. It's a Small size geocache, with difficulty of 3.5, terrain of 5. Legends tell how he amassed a huge fortune, and hid an enormous treasure before dying a hero facing the might of the US Navy. 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 . 2119 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Flagler Beach, FL 32136-2802.