Supposedly this fort had hidden tunnels leading under the fort. 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. Just like most pirates, there is little known about his early life. Gasparilla: Was the Legendary Spanish Pirate Jose Gaspar Real? He relocated to Galveston Island around 1817 where he set up a pirate empire. Cleaning the dreaded attic turned up a darling wedding photo of the Lopezes grandparents, but it also uncovered some interesting but creepy finds. All had been going along fine for Gasparilla until the year 1822. What date is Gasparilla 2021? Gasparilla Season | Visit Tampa Bay Pricing is not too high. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Pirate Blackbeard entered the history books in the early 1700s. Was there really a pirate named Jose Gaspar? All of it is built around the story of Gaspar. Sometime later a large sum of gold coins was found near the Spanish Homestead. 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. Gasparilla, if he existed, wrapped himself in chain and jumped overboard with both hands still attached. I'm here writing on Treasureunknown to provide helpful resources so others can get out and enjoy the thrill of the hunt! Many of the stories about Gasparilla were attributed to Juan Gomez. His headquarters were at Boca Grande, on what is today known as Gasparilla Island. Legend has it that Gasparilla spotted a huge ship sailing in the distance. Much of his treasure was carried to him up the Peace River. CBS affiliate WPEC-TV reported that 43-year-old treasure hunter Jonah Martinez located the coins using a . Josh is on a mission to find Jos Gaspar's hidden treasure. 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. Gaspar apparently did not share this attraction and instead gave his attention to other women of the court. The team used metal detectors and shovels but didn't find anything. Gasparilla the Pirate and his Charlotte Harbor Treasure Another report states that he hid several chests in a small river somewhere in the vicinity of the Bay. The first written account of Gaspar was written in 1900 when the Charlotte . 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. link to 8 Super Fun Family Treasure Hunt Ideas: With Real Treasure. Shopping, Gift & Specialty Shops. 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. The story states that Rogers discovered these lost tunnels and used them to store his treasure. Another instance of his softer side can be found in the account of Ann Jeffries, an English girl traveling from New Orleans to Liverpool. Gasparilla Pirate Festival - Wikipedia Some say that as this disguised ship was sailing by, the aging pirate and his crew were in the process of dividing up the spoils as an act of retirement. Friendly down to earth staff. So it would seem that Gasparilla is a fiction, no more real a figure than Mickey Mouse. Jose Gaspar Treasure - Flagler Beach, FL - Yelp The map is estimated to be from the 1930s and shows the Tampa area. According to the sources we studied, Gaspar was probably born in Spain in 1756. "It's a bunch of heartbreak with little reward and a lot of imagination," said treasure hunter Erin Melcher. 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. May 4, 1904Gasparilla Pirate Festival / First event date. It may not display this or other websites correctly. If the legend is true, Gasparilla was extremely successful and plundered more than 400 ships. While doing some spring cleaning a few weeks ago, Maria Lopez made an unusual discovery in her grandfathers attic. For one, there is no evidence of his pirate empire. The rest of the treasure remains hidden, waiting to be found. Still, it was not very soon after that, that Tampa captured that myth," Kite-Powell said. Despite its long history, there is no definitive origin of the name. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Jose Gaspar Treasure Company | Flagler Beach FL He even set up a blockade of the port of Charleston in South Carolina for 6 days. This action helped turn opinion of Lafitte from villain to hero. ", "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. Go find it, unbury it, take tons of pictures, bury it back again, and prove to the world that you found it. So, a real figure or a tall tale told by Floridians? The experts dont believe that their find is a real treasure map or that the legend of Gaspar is anything more than children story or a folk tale that adds to the culture of the area. Lafitte was wanted by the US government for they deemed his acts as piracy, not privateering. History Gattuso will keep them busy on Useppa and across Florida. In this time Spain controlled a huge swathe of the Americas and Gaspar grew rich. Gaspar's legend is one of a murderous, bloodthirsty swashbuckler who stole money from Spain, stole a ship, kidnapped a Spanish Princess, and left a trail of death and gold throughout the high seas. They bribed the owner with some of the treasure to not divulge their location. You are using an out of date browser. Gasparilla began on horseback in 1904 as a way to add a little pirate-themed fun to the city's May Day festivities. I love this place built around 1640 . No Result Found. Upon returning he discovered that he had been labeled a pirate by the British government. A unique legend of pirate treasure in Indiana is intriguing. USEPPA ISLAND, Fla. Most, if not all, historians agree the pirate named Jose Gaspar never existed. $ 6 reviews. Read another story from us:Norways Saint Olaf Uncovered: Archaeologists Believe They have Discovered the Shrine of the Lost Viking King. Do secret rooms conceal unknown treasures? Leaving Spain at an early age, he sailed to the West Coast of Florida. If we find that buried treasure together, we can split the booty among all of our readers and we never have to work again. Plundering the high seas and ports alike resulted in vast riches for some of these ruthless criminals. 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. This tale doesnt give the Lopezes a helping hand in solving the mystery of the finds from their grandparents attic. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Save. These wealthy civilizations flourished for hundreds of years spreading Historic City Memories: Pirate treasure rumors He subsequently set fire to all his buildings before sailing out to sea, never to be heard from again. 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. Pirate Photo byScott UmstattdonUnsplash, Lafitte Photo By Anonymous Rosenberg Library, Galveston, Texas, Public Domain, Skully Photo byLuke SouthernonUnsplash. 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. His flagship was eventually ran aground and he was ultimately killed by English warships off the East Coast of America. Strap yourself in for a wild ride and buy this international bestselling book today! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Also check state and local regulations before you begin any activities such as digging or metal detecting. There are a few pirates who may have hidden treasure at this spot, including Billy. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Contributing columnist Jose Gaspar is a news anchor/reporter for Telemundo Bakersfield and KGET. It was a simple wooden box, but inside were fascinating (and macabre) clues to a family mystery. Over and out from somewhere south, RumShopRyan. There are numerous tales and stories of pirate treasures hidden thought the world, some of which are not attributed to any particular pirate. 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. It is said that Captain Kidd came ashore here. 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. There are a few theories as to the location of a hidden treasure by Lafitte in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. 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. Supposedly a group of pirates traveled from the gulf inland via river to a spot in Indiana where they hid a bunch of gold coins east of the town of Freedom. Hand in Tampa Attic Stirs Up Memories of Dread Pirate Gaspar Just pick any island and start digging, because Gasparillas loot is buried on many of them, including Cayo Pelau. A Treasured History: The Story of Gasparilla, Tampa's Most Prized One of the most popular pirates in Florida folklore is Jose' Gaspar. "We are not sure what we're going to do with it," said Lopez. 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. Top Image: Real pirate or later fiction? 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. This story seems to border on the outer limits, but a local historian doesnt believe that the hand belongs to the famed pirate. Jose Gaspar Treasure Co | Flagler Beach, FL 32136. 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. " Mar 2021 We really enjoyed shopping here! Have you ever hunted a treasure story? | Friendly Metal Detecting Forum Just . He spoke to local TV news network WFLA about the discovery, and the story kept getting stranger. We" more 2. Jose Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia: Politician: Capricon: 06 January 1766 AD . Treasure hunter Michael Gattuso digs a hole in front of treasure hunters Stacey Hunt and Erin Melcher in an area where metal detectors notify of gold on a wetland believed to have lost treasure on the Peace River in Arcadia on Sunday, January 13, 2019. There are at least 3 different locations said to hold his riches in Connecticut. So where did Blackbeard hide his treasures? 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. Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. 1756 - 1821), was a purported Spanish pirate, the "last of the Buccaneer s," who is claimed to have raided the west coast of Florida during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Historic Mysteries provides captivating articles on archaeology, history, and unexplained mysteries. His sister found a box in their grandfather's attic in Tampa, Fla., a few weeks ago while doing some spring cleaning. Retail store with the following - shells, shellcraft, wood carvings, shark teeth and jaws,. With Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses, How We Became Mr. and Mrs. Rogers is said to have hidden huge amounts of gold and silver bars worth a fortune today. Finally Pirates Cove, which is on the southern tip of Connecticut may house these valuable chests. Many took the deal. 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. He did what all retired people do in Florida he fell ill one day and died. Lafayette Street, which is now Kennedy Boulevard is also labeled on the map. What year did Jose Gaspar invade Tampa? Treasure hunting can be a fun and exciting activity. (PDF) The Real Pirate Billy Bowlegs: The Origins of the Billy Bowlegs Enjoy. 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. There are also inherent dangers involved with any of these types of adventures. . Jose Gaspar, the legendary buccaneer who inspired Tampas Gasparilla Pirate Festival, as well as fantastic tales of lost treasure, most likely never really existed. Magnet fishing is a hobby that is quickly increasing in popularity with good reason. 11 The Cuerdale Treasures- $2.6 Million. 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. Overview. Jos Gaspar. 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. will support that mission. How did the legend of Gaspar begin? He supposedly buried 3 chests under a palm tree somewhere in the vicinity. 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. Oak Island the Strange, the Bizarre, and Maybe the "Truth! "So, it's interesting how Tampa, in a sense, stole; we were pirates ourselves. Buumi . Jos Gaspar, also known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. 1756 - 1821), is an apocryphal Spanish pirate who terrorized the Gulf of Mexico from his base in southwest Florida during Florida's second Spanish period (1783 to 1821). 2 chests are also rumored to be buried on Clarkes Island on the Connecticut River. Treasure Hunters May Have Found Jos Gaspar's Pirate Vessel - YouTube So that's why we believe that it was Juan Gomez. Mysterious Pirate Treasure Box Found in Tampa Bay Attic - Cult of Weird This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Name of The Day. JavaScript is disabled. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. 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. We've been chasing his treasures. 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. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Pirate treasure rumors. The family thinks the hand belongs to famous Tampa Bay pirate Jose Gaspar. Charlotte Harbor is an ideal spot to go treasure hunting. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Is There Any Pirate Treasure Left? - treasure unknown 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. They took the box to a few antique stores. Marias brother Mike believes the couple in the photo may be their great grandparents, Eve and Ernesto Lopez. 15 Lost Treasures People Actually Found | TheRichest Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. But, now? I love searching for all types of "treasures" with my family. 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. And to this day, Jose Gaspar returns on board his pirate ship every year to capture the city.". The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". In the late 1600s a Scottish sailor named William Kidd came to America. Legends tell how he amassed a huge fortune, and hid an enormous treasure before dying a hero facing the might of the US Navy. Jos Gaspar - Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias A Beginners Guide to Magnet Fishing: 15 Sure Fire Tips. Maybe you can find one and claim the fame and wealth that will ultimilty accompany your successful efforts. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. The pirate, whose full name is Jos Gaspar, is a legend from the 18th and 19th century. Mike Lopez tells WFLA that his sister was. Story continues below video. A band of pirates in Wisconsin operated out of a cave on Hermit island. As with any tale of vast hidden riches, these stories can not be 100 percent verified to even exist. "The reason I believe in Gasparilla is because I believe in Juan Gomez," Mike Gattuso, a member of The Real Treasure Hunters, told Paluska. There is another treasure said to be buried on Kelly Island in Delaware by James Gillian, a member of Kidds crew. Old hand, coins and treasure map found in Florida attic - The Vintage News Barnes & Noble Booksellers 10 Bookstores Music & DVDs Toy Stores The team found a few nails, a beer can, and a screw during this hunt. 5 Popular Mai Tai Recipes and How To Make Them, Mango Tango Cocktail Recipe Boat Drinks, Taste the New St. John Brewers Love City Hard Seltzer, A Day With Stormy Pirates Charters US Virgin Islands, An Island Interview With Caribbean Adventure Author, John H. Cunningham, Love Pets and a Free Place To Stay? Jose Gaspar: More myth than man - baynews9.com Dropa Stones: Are They 12,000 Year Old Discs? | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA Notice, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. First of all there was a Spanish Catholic missionary named Gasparillo that had a mission on the island that bears his name. "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. The 300,000 partiers who will swarm the streets Saturday in Tampa for the annual Gasparilla pirate parade wont care. 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. Finding a real human hand is probably not what the Lopezes had in mind, but thats exactly what this family from Florida found in their grandparents attic. Kidd set sail for England and was commissioned as a privateer by the English government. When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. A treasure said to be worth $30 million. Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State TAMPA, Fla. - Docked in downtown Tampa, the Jose Gasparilla II is one of the most iconic parts of Gasparilla and a year-round reminder of Tampa's biggest party and quirkiest tradition. He found a hillside where he buried 2 pirate chests filled with valuable metals and jewels. 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 . In Polish origin the meaning of name Gaspar is : Treasure keeper Spanish Meaning : The name Gaspar is an Spanish baby name. Who created the man who is now a legend? Caesar was forced to push his pirate pack north to the Gulf of Mexico. Shipwrecks: Who owns the treasure hidden under the sea? For whatever reason, burial of chests laden with gold and jewels seems to be the norm, but is there any pirate treasure left? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 128 were here. To learn more, visit our. P.S. "Maybe my great-grandparents were pirates," Mike Lopez said. Jose Gaspar Treasure 6 Jewelry Gift Shops Bookstores $ "We went in looking for a lite shark tooth for our son. The choice of the navy career wasn't courage and thirst for adventure on the part of Jose but an expediency of the moment. When you go in the attic you expect to find something old. "Possibly keep it forever. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. The notorious pirate then committed suicide by wrapping a heavy chain around him and jumping over the side. Photos show a centuries-old shipwreck found off Colombia's coast carrying lost treasure worth billions of dollars, including gold coins and emeralds. It's located in Florida, United States.A real, albeit, small treasure chest on a real small island.
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