Or at least thats what Florida folklore would have you believe. We" more 2. " Mar 2021 We really enjoyed shopping here! 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. Florida at this time was in its Second Spanish Period which runs from 1783 to 1821. The author of the pamphlet readily stated that the spectacular tale was a work of fiction with no genuine facts in it. Santa Rosa Island has been sort of a local hotspot for finding bags of gold and silver coins. Here are some Metal Detectors for you to start your quest. Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. Despite his brutal reputation, Gasparilla was supposed to have a soft side as well. Legend states they marked a tree by driving a sword into it. We will discuss a few of them here. He stated that it was buried beside 2 wind damaged trees and a large rock (one would think that with treasure this valuable one would choose landmarks a little more cautiously, but I guess trees and a rock is all we have to go on here). The parade that follows is one of the largest in the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to Tampa Bay. Canny readers will already recognize a certain romantic streak in these stories. Evidently, though, the treasure is not. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Chasing Treasure: The myth of Gasparilla and the real-life man Juan Gomez. 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. They will be focused on the Florida coastline, right in my back yard. His death seems to come straight from Hollywood. 1 Review #9 of 11 Shopping in Flagler Beach. He supposedly buried 3 chests under a palm tree somewhere in the vicinity. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Sometime later a large sum of gold coins was found near the Spanish Homestead. It's located in Florida, United States.A real, albeit, small treasure chest on a real small island. Many of the stories about Gasparilla were attributed to Juan Gomez. In the 1690s a war broke out between England and France. 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. This location is said to be on the southern end at False Live Oak Point. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. Contributing columnist Jose Gaspar is a news anchor/reporter for Telemundo Bakersfield and KGET. Is this the hand and treasure of Jose Gaspar? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 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. It is said that he and his brother buried all of his money on the islands in and around Charlotte Harbor. Dropa Stones: Are They 12,000 Year Old Discs? Leaving soon? His fleet would capture vessels at sea, and take all the goods back to Galveston. These stories and locations presented are based on our research but should be taken with some skepticism. Gaspar realized in this moment that he had found the treasure he was searching for. Just like most pirates, there is little known about his early life. The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is a gripping, heart-pounding action adventure that's akin to a modern-day Indiana Jones story. What year did Jose Gaspar invade Tampa? 6 reviews of Jose Gaspar Treasure "This sweet little shell shop is nestled in along A1A and the beautiful Atlantic shoreline. I'm Clint, the guy behind Treasureunknown. 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. He quickly worked his way up the ranks of the Spanish Navy and became an officer. You are using an out of date browser. As promised here is the start of your Pirate Treasure stories. When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. 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. There have been many stories told of treasure Captain Kidd buried back in America. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. In his early pirate career, he teamed up with a few other pirates and eventually took over a ship named The Revenge. Tampa family finds pirate treasure in grandpa's attic Box found in Tampa attic has coins, a map, a hand and a mystery - WFLA News Channel 8 Share or comment on this article: Tampa family finds. Top Image: Real pirate or later fiction? In or around 1806 the brothers arrived in New Orleans Louisiana and were licensed privateers operating in the Gulf of Mexico. Some speculate that this is remnants of Rogers great treasure. Latest Blog . 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. In the late 1600s a Scottish sailor named William Kidd came to America. For whatever reason, burial of chests laden with gold and jewels seems to be the norm, but is there any pirate treasure left? Jose Gaspar (aka: Gasparilla) was a quasi-mythical Spanish pirate who roamed the waters of Tampa Bay, Florida. A unique legend of pirate treasure in Indiana is intriguing. Maybe you can find one and claim the fame and wealth that will ultimilty accompany your successful efforts. These stories really get your imagination scrambling about finding buried riches yourself. The legend of pirate Jose Gaspar, or Gasparilla as he is sometimes known, is shrouded in mystery. Gaspar caught wind of his coming doom, and escaped via ship to America. Marias brother Mike believes the couple in the photo may be their great grandparents, Eve and Ernesto Lopez. Legend has it that Gasparilla spotted a huge ship sailing in the distance. 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. They used Barataria Bay in Louisiana as a hub for their enterprise. $ 6 reviews. Gaspar apparently did not share this attraction and instead gave his attention to other women of the court. Read another story from us:Norways Saint Olaf Uncovered: Archaeologists Believe They have Discovered the Shrine of the Lost Viking King. Go find it, unbury it, take tons of pictures, bury it back again, and prove to the world that you found it. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The 300,000 partiers who will swarm the streets Saturday in Tampa for the annual Gasparilla pirate parade wont care. However, even from the first we run into different versions of the story. (story from treasurelore.com). Enjoy. Galleon of Gold. "Maybe my great-grandparents were pirates," Mike Lopez said. Jose Gaspar Treasure Company | Flagler Beach FL One day Gasparilla prepared to attack a merchantman, but to his surprise, it turned out to be a United States man-of-war. 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. The most notorious and successful pirate was Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla. 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. You are using an out of date browser. This does not stop the legend of Gasparilla from living on in the Florida folklore; the story of his life is even retold in a hotel brochure at the site where supposedly his treasure was buried, The Huffington Post reported. In Polish origin the meaning of name Gaspar is : Treasure keeper Spanish Meaning : The name Gaspar is an Spanish baby name. But Rodney Kite-Powell, a Tampa-Bay curator, doesnt believe that the legendary figure was even real. 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. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. Lopez wasn't a fan of pirates when he was growing up. 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. There are a few pirates who may have hidden treasure at this spot, including Billy. May 4, 1904Gasparilla Pirate Festival / First event date. All of it is built around the story of Gaspar. What remains of Jos Gaspar today are his stories and legends, but most significant of them all is the secret of these mysterious cherries. Interesting history topics are just a click away. Since 1904, pirates have invaded the City of Tampa to kick off the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. When he finally realized that it was a warship, it was too late. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This endeavor lasted only about 5 years when the us army came to visit Lafitte, asking him to leave. 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. He confirmed that indeed the Lopezes have found a real human hand, but as for Gasparilla, that was a myth. Treasure Unknown is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. How did the legend of Gaspar begin? Michael Gattuso and his crew got a cable debut Wednesday night in an episode of Discovery Channel's show "Expedition Unknown." 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. When Jose Gaspar died, he supposedly left an untold fortune in buried treasure somewhere along the Florida coast. It is said that he buried a multitude of treasure along the Pamlico Sound and on Bluff Point. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. He finally returned with his wife to find all but a handful of his crew had died. It appears Philip Gosse got the story from Bradlee's book. The story states that Rogers discovered these lost tunnels and used them to store his treasure. Or show us love by sharing articles and leaving great comments. From real buried treasure, to massive pearl finds, these . Historic Mysteries is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. Not being able to pass up this giant score, he pursed the ship that was flying a British flag. It does not store any personal data. There are at least 3 different locations said to hold his riches in Connecticut. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/f2/ferret-iii.htm, Florida's Pirate Jose Gaspar and his Treasure Story. Legends tell how he amassed a huge fortune, and hid an enormous treasure before dying a hero facing the might of the US Navy. He ignored this order and stayed in Galveston for about another year before the Army returned forcing him to leave. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. They took the box to a few antique stores. Since 1904, pirates have invaded the City of Tampa to kick off the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. 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. 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. Over and out from somewhere south, RumShopRyan. 3. And he's fueled a cottage industry of treasure-hunting books, guides and metal . Some say it reveals compass bearings around Lettuce Lake. He weighed in on the treasure map as well and believes it was a blueprint for the area during the 1920s and 1930s, but nothing more. He successfully captured a few ships during his years long voyage. The map is estimated to be from the 1930s and shows the Tampa area. 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. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Lesser and Greater Antilles / Windward and Leeward Islands What is What? "Maria came across it and once she told me she found a hand in a box. Website. 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. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. So, a real figure or a tall tale told by Floridians? Gasparilla began on horseback in 1904 as a way to add a little pirate-themed fun to the city's May Day festivities. New Castle Island in Delaware is said to house treasure hidden by pirates from Madagascar in 1699. You'll need a boat or kayak for this cache. "But, what we believe is that Juan Gomez had ties to him. However, perhaps the most famous story of Gaspar concerns his death. His work appears here every third Monday; the views expressed. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. His piratical career always starts with an injustice and he is seen as a lovable rogue rather than a murderous monster. History Gattuso will keep them busy on Useppa and across Florida. This Plantation is said to be roughly 5 miles West of the town of Iowa. Canceled2021 Gasparilla Pirate Festival / Date He was wanted until 1815 when opinion of him changed. Later that fall, he captured a large French slave ship bound for some sugar plantations. The story of the famed pirate may have been the tall tale of a U.S. naval officer. Here Lafitte had a very fair treasure distribution policy that everyone seemed to like. Despite its long history, there is no definitive origin of the name. 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. Cleaning the dreaded attic turned up a darling wedding photo of the Lopezes grandparents, but it also uncovered some interesting but creepy finds. And that's what we've been chasing. 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. 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. Once he was a few hundred meters away, the British flag came down and the American flag rose up the mast. So that's why we believe that it was Juan Gomez. Thread starter seeker41; Start date Apr 29, 2015 Apr 29, 2015 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. His men, who numbered in the hundreds, also buried their smaller caches on these islands. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. Kidd set sail for England and was commissioned as a privateer by the English government. "I'm considering it. "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. Gattuso leads a a small group called the The Treasure Hunters who spend their weekends hiking the wilderness near the Peace River in search of lost treasure believed to have been left behind by Jose Gaspar. Flagler Beach, FL 32136. 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. 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. Definitely try, Find our recommended Caribbean hotels, restaurants, charters, & tours. If we find that buried treasure together, we can split the booty among all of our readers and we never have to work again. When Jose Gaspar died, he supposedly left an untold fortune in buried treasure somewhere along the Florida coast. Gattuso leads a a small group called the The Treasure Hunters who spend their weekends hiking the wilderness near the Peace River in search of lost treasure believed to have been left behind by Jose Gaspar. Box allegedly containing Gaspars hand and related items Photo Credit. Michael Gattuso lends a hand to his wife Lauren as they dock on a wetland on the Peace River in Arcadia. St. Vincent Island off the coast of Florida is said to have been an island frequented by early pirates. will support that mission. The men were executed but Gomez was to be the final survivor of this piratical outfit. So are you juiced up and just caught the gold fever? Legend has it that in the late 1700s, a pirate named Jose Gaspar kidnapped the Spanish princess Joseffa de Mayorga. What you don't expect to find is treasure. A Beginners Guide to Magnet Fishing: 15 Sure Fire Tips. Also check state and local regulations before you begin any activities such as digging or metal detecting. 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. What year did Gasparilla start? 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. He was most likely a sailor for the English Navy who became unemployed and turned to a life of piracy. Supposedly this fort had hidden tunnels leading under the fort. History of Gasparilla: Jos Gaspar & his krewe. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Since the 1870s, treasure hunters have been trying unsuccessfully to crack this code you see below: Some say its Spanish. 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. This action helped turn opinion of Lafitte from villain to hero. Available at: https://ymkg.com/the-legend-of-jose-gasparilla/. What we do know is that he is considered a hero to some and a villain to others. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Plundering the high seas and ports alike resulted in vast riches for some of these ruthless criminals. . Most of the suspected locations are in and around the state of Florida. He spoke to local TV news network WFLA about the discovery, and the story kept getting stranger. Hiding treasure under a well constructed fort is a much more logical thought than those previously mentioned. The leaflet establishes Gaspars legend, claiming that he chose Gasparilla Island as the best of the islands in Charlotte Harbor to establish his base. 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 .
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