So, a real figure or a tall tale told by Floridians? Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. Is this your business? Whether the coins are authentic or not, Mike thinks the hand is real, and may belong to Jose Gaspar himself. 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. 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. ", "Jose Gaspar, from my understanding, was a name that was made up by Ye Mystic Krewe, which they tied to Gasparilla, which was tied to the railroad pamphlet that you're talking about, which that is not real. Ye be walkin the plank if ye so think. Legends tell how he amassed a huge fortune, and hid an enormous treasure before dying a hero facing the might of the US Navy. "We go after Juan Gomez because everything, all the treasures and everything we've come through, is tied to him. Source of the stories which became inspiration for the legend of Jose Gaspar. 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 . Is There Any Pirate Treasure Left? - treasure unknown Jose Gaspar Treasure Co | Flagler Beach, FL 32136 He apparently helped repeal a British Invasion on New Orleans. Sometime later a large sum of gold coins was found near the Spanish Homestead. Legends of Sanibel's Pirate Past - Sanibel Island Myths of Treasure There are numerous tales and stories of pirate treasures hidden thought the world, some of which are not attributed to any particular pirate. Photos: Treasure Including Spanish Gold Found on Colombia Shipwreck His treasure might have been on the ship with him during this battle. The Pirates of Charlotte Harbor Once it was in print, people kept spreading it as absolute truth. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. 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. 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. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co - Tripadvisor The rest of the treasure remains hidden, waiting to be found. New details have emerged about the San Jose, a Spanish galleon sunk by British ships 300 years ago. Inside was a tattered map of the Hillsborough River, century-old coins, a family picture and a hand wearing a ring. 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. His sister found a box in their grandfather's attic in Tampa, Fla., a few weeks ago while doing some spring cleaning. 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. The gold coins were too thin and too old to pass as authentic Spanish treasure. Gaspar - Meaning of Gaspar Name, Boy Gaspar Origin and Astrology He would even compensate for injuries if they were sustained while obtaining cargo from another ship. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Another report states that he hid several chests in a small river somewhere in the vicinity of the Bay. Report from the Florida Zone: Buried Treasure - Blogger However, even from the first we run into different versions of the story. His ship was scuttled in the battle sending the valuables to the bottom of the ocean. ", 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. 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. All had been going along fine for Gasparilla until the year 1822. Ill post one a week Treasure Tuesdaysthis that lame? This particular lost treasure consists of a bunch of silver coins, ingots and even pieces of jewelry. In the late 1600s a Scottish sailor named William Kidd came to America. 1. 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 Wikipedia, 2022. Latest Blog . He claimed to be one of the few crew members to escape a fateful attack by American pirate hunting schooner USS Enterprise in 1821. Charlotte Harbor is an ideal spot to go treasure hunting. According to Floridian folklore, Gaspar was a fearsome pirate that operated out of a secret base in southwest Florida in the late 18th and early 19th . Jose Gaspar has come in handy for parades and celebrations. Gasparilla Season | Visit Tampa Bay Jose Gaspar commandeered the 'Floridablanca', the ship upon which he was serving, to commence his life of piracy. Many took the deal. 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. But, now? This is the spot for all of your seaside decorating needs. Though he is a popular figure in Florida folklore, no evidence of his existence appears in writing before the early 20th century. Not being able to pass up this giant score, he pursed the ship that was flying a British flag. Gasparilla Pirate Festival - Wikipedia When Jose Gaspar died, he supposedly left an untold fortune in buried treasure somewhere along the Florida coast. We actually located the great great, great, great-granddaughter of Juan Gomez. It may not display this or other websites correctly. However there are several problems with the story which have led many to question whether Gasparilla as he was known was a real historical figure. Gaspar is presented as dignified, noble in heart and rich and titled in some versions. If marriage was selected, there would be a ceremony, and the marriage promise would be strictly enforced. Treasure Unknown is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. The 300,000 partiers who will swarm the streets Saturday in Tampa for the annual Gasparilla pirate parade wont care. We have compiled a list of 11 potential pirate treasure troves left unfound. Source: Theartofphoto / Adobe Stock. 2 chests are also rumored to be buried on Clarkes Island on the Connecticut River. 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. Louisiana makes sense because during most of his time here, he was considered a fugitive by the US. 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! 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. He spoke to local TV news network WFLA about the discovery, and the story kept getting stranger. The choice of the navy career wasn't courage and thirst for adventure on the part of Jose but an expediency of the moment. Professional blogger, rum judge, consultant, marketer, and consumer of blue water beauty. Top 10 Best Bookstores in Palm Coast, FL - February 2023 - Yelp For one, there is no evidence of his pirate empire. Tampa family finds 'pirate treasure' in attic including treasure map The story of Juan Gomez is also published in the Library of Congress. Inside, bound to the box by copper wire, she found a dessicated hand wearing a ring with the word "Gaspar" on . He eventually retired and settled down on Shell Creek near Lettuce Lake in DeSoto County, where he lived for many years. When a ship was taken, the people aboard were not immediately murdered but instead offered the option of dying or joining Gasparillas crew. Who created the man who is now a legend? Maybe you can find one and claim the fame and wealth that will ultimilty accompany your successful efforts. Once he was a few hundred meters away, the British flag came down and the American flag rose up the mast. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 1 Review #9 of 11 Shopping in Flagler Beach. 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 . While doing some spring cleaning a few weeks ago, Maria Lopez made an unusual discovery in her grandfathers attic. Gasparilla began on horseback in 1904 as a way to add a little pirate-themed fun to the city's May Day festivities. Lesser and Greater Antilles / Windward and Leeward Islands What is What? Historic Mysteries provides captivating articles on archaeology, history, and unexplained mysteries. 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. WFLA | What is Gasparilla? 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.' 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. "Maria came across it and once she told me she found a hand in a box. 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. New Castle Island in Delaware is said to house treasure hidden by pirates from Madagascar in 1699. Still, it was not very soon after that, that Tampa captured that myth," Kite-Powell said. A band of pirates in Wisconsin operated out of a cave on Hermit island. Gasparilla the Pirate and his Charlotte Harbor Treasure Jos Gaspar. His methods were black and bloody, and he stands out among all the pirates who used Florida to bury their wealth. Since the 1870s, treasure hunters have been trying unsuccessfully to crack this code you see below: Some say its Spanish. When you go in the attic you expect to find something old. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Crystal and I greatly appreciate any support! Kidd set sail for England and was commissioned as a privateer by the English government. Pirate Treasure on Goodland in Southwest Florida - LITTLE BAR Restaurant Were There Pirates In Tampa Bay? - On Secret Hunt Jos Gaspar - Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias Photos show a centuries-old shipwreck found off Colombia's coast carrying lost treasure worth billions of dollars, including gold coins and emeralds. Rumor has it, that the stolen goods are still hidden somewhere on the island. The latter two locations being the most logical. This is believed to be part of the bribe money given to the owner. To add more to the story, the treasure map contained the name of the infamous mythical pirate Gaspar. Some historians say Caesar has between two-and-six million dollars of treasure stashed on Pine Island. 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. Lots of shells and jewelry and other gifts. 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 . Jose Gaspar Treasure Co. 2119 N Oceanshore Blvd. Treasure hunters search for Jose Gaspar's lost riches - Tampa Bay Times He spent nearly 30 years plundering ships in and around the gulf coast. Historic City Memories: Pirate treasure rumors 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. 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 have seven maps.". This was around the 1870s, after the Civil War. ", 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. Gaspar's Brew: A cup of treasure - Joffrey's $ 6 reviews. The Gaspar myth in the very beginning was tied to the Charlotte Harbor area. The most notorious and successful pirate was Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla. What we do know is that he is considered a hero to some and a villain to others. Many ship captains and pirates alike came to Lafitte and could sign articles to become a part of his pirate fleet. Spain and Great Britain were adversaries in the complex tangle of European politics . John Gomez, also known as Juan Gomez and Panther John. Our knowledge of Jean and his brother Pierre begins in the early 1800s. And she actually had maps, and she had stories that were passed down to the family about these treasures. Lafitte was wanted by the US government for they deemed his acts as piracy, not privateering. Who was this figure, and what was he supposed to have done? With the help of the Prime Minster she was able to convincingly spread this rumor leading to Gaspars impending arrest by the king. All rights reserved. jose gaspar, coins, and treasuremap found. May 4, 1904Gasparilla Pirate Festival / First event date. Chasing Treasure: The myth of Gasparilla and the real-life man Juan Gomez Tampa family finds pirate treasure in grandpa's attic - USA TODAY The story goes that Lafitte and his men used an old barn on LeBleau Plantation as a gathering location and perhaps buried treasure here. 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. Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. The Search For The Real Captain Morgan. 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. Old hand, coins and treasure map found in Florida attic - The Vintage News We are constantly looking for opportunities to metal detect, magnet fish, pan for gold, and search for real life lost treasures. Keep me posted! It is said that he buried a multitude of treasure along the Pamlico Sound and on Bluff Point. Florida's Pirate Jose Gaspar and his Treasure Story 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. 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. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by, Jose Gaspar is not the only mythical pirate character that has. A treasure said to be worth $30 million. I love this place built around 1640 . There are also inherent dangers involved with any of these types of adventures. 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. He has written for 8 years in a variety of fields including history, health and politics. So where did Blackbeard hide his treasures? These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 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. Hitting the scene in the early 1800s Billy Bowlegs Rogers was a pirate to be reckoned with. The pirate, whose full name is Jos Gaspar, is a legend from the 18th and 19th century. Canny readers will already recognize a certain romantic streak in these stories. It was done for tourism purposes," Gattuso said. His piratical career always starts with an injustice and he is seen as a lovable rogue rather than a murderous monster. 1. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Jose Gaspar Treasure - Flagler Beach, FL - Yelp 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. The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. Jose Gaspar - A Real Pirate? | TreasureNet The Original Treasure Mysterious box containing a map, coins and a mummified hand found in Tampa Bay attic. It seems the mythical pirate was a tall tale concocted by a man named Juan Gmez. Read another story from us:Norways Saint Olaf Uncovered: Archaeologists Believe They have Discovered the Shrine of the Lost Viking King. Marias brother Mike believes the couple in the photo may be their great grandparents, Eve and Ernesto Lopez.