The legend of Gaspar was first recorded in promotional materials for this Boca Grande Hotel. 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. His sister found a box in their grandfather's attic in Tampa, Fla., a few weeks ago while doing some spring cleaning. 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. Seeing the writing on the wall, he decided to scuttle his own ship and hide with his crew in the forrest. 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. (386) 439-3061. 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. Just pick any island and start digging, because Gasparillas loot is buried on many of them, including Cayo Pelau. Shopping, Gift & Specialty Shops. 128 were here. Keep me posted! 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! The items found by his sister were neatly packed inside a wooden box. You must log in or register to reply here. 1 Review #9 of 11 Shopping in Flagler Beach. Sarasota's Michael Gattuso and members of his . Most stories agree he was an aristocratic Spanish Navy Officer who later. To learn more, visit our. (story from treasurelore.com). But, now? Jos Gaspar, also known by his nickname Gasparilla , is an apocryphal Spanish pirate who terrorized the Gulf of Mexico from his base in southwest Florida during Florida's second Spanish period . 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. What you don't expect to find is treasure. Gasparilla seized her ship, and the hostages were brought to his hideout on Gasparilla Island. 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. Many took the deal. Gaspar realized in this moment that he had found the treasure he was searching for. He successfully captured a few ships during his years long voyage. In fact, we dont even know for certain his real name. In the 1690s a war broke out between England and France. 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. Jose Gaspar has come in handy for parades and celebrations. 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. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. Most of the suspected locations are in and around the state of Florida. JavaScript is disabled. The story states that Rogers discovered these lost tunnels and used them to store his treasure. Available at: https://www.wfla.com/news/gasparilla/history-of-gasparilla-jose-gaspar-his-krewe/, ymkg, 2022. 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. It's light on history and heavy on action, suspense, and intrigue. 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. Most confirm that the "Floridablanca" was the name of his pirate ship and the one that he served upon in the Navy. And to this day, Jose Gaspar returns on board his pirate ship every year to capture the city.". link to 8 Super Fun Family Treasure Hunt Ideas: With Real Treasure. Photos show a centuries-old shipwreck found off Colombia's coast carrying lost treasure worth billions of dollars, including gold coins and emeralds. If the legend is true, Gasparilla was extremely successful and plundered more than 400 ships. And indeed there are serious problems with the stories of Gasparilla. When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. It seems the mythical pirate was a tall tale concocted by a man named Juan Gmez. 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. He was most likely a sailor for the English Navy who became unemployed and turned to a life of piracy. Louisiana makes sense because during most of his time here, he was considered a fugitive by the US. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Rogers is said to have hidden huge amounts of gold and silver bars worth a fortune today. Mike Lopez said his sister was not expecting to find a human hand, a treasure map, and gold coins. We" more 2. Pirate treasure rumors. "So, it's interesting how Tampa, in a sense, stole; we were pirates ourselves. 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. The Gaspar myth in the very beginning was tied to the Charlotte Harbor area. We have seven maps.". He enjoyed telling stories about his adventures on the high seas and a large amount of Gasparillas treasure that was never discovered. They bribed the owner with some of the treasure to not divulge their location. When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. Icelanders and the Huldufolk: A Nation Gripped by Farinis Great Discovery: Is there a Lost City Top Ten Knights of King Arthurs Round Table. However, he spotted a British merchant ship and could not resist one final prize. What remains of Jos Gaspar today are his stories and legends, but most significant of them all is the secret of these mysterious cherries. If you choose to embark on a hunt for any treasure do so at your own risk. 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. There has been a lot of permanent damage to archaeological sites due to the misinformation about buried treasure in prehistoric mounds, and pushing some aspects of this myth may lead to others following suit (leading to arrests and seizures as well as loss of cultural information). Mysterious box containing a map, coins and a mummified hand found in Tampa Bay attic. He claimed to be one of the few crew members to escape a fateful attack by American pirate hunting schooner USS Enterprise in 1821. 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. 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. Mike Lopez tells WFLA that his sister was. The parade that follows is one of the largest in the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to Tampa Bay. The final and perhaps most intriguing possibility is around the Spanish Fort San Carlos in Pensacola. Treasure hunting can be a fun and exciting activity. What we do know is that he is considered a hero to some and a villain to others. The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. 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. 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. Blackbeard also spend some time in North Carolina, in fact he secured a Royal Pardon in the town of Bath. These stories really get your imagination scrambling about finding buried riches yourself. Finally Pirates Cove, which is on the southern tip of Connecticut may house these valuable chests. 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. Hiding treasure under a well constructed fort is a much more logical thought than those previously mentioned. Chasing Treasure: The myth of Gasparilla and the real-life man Juan Gomez. Millions of dollars have been found literally lying in front of people's feet, the world's beaches. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); If anybody wants to start a treasure seach team, WTF Florida? Latest Blog . 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. Though he is a popular figure in Florida folklore, no evidence of his existence appears in writing before the early 20th century. 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. It seems the mythical pirate was a tall tale concocted by a man named Juan Gmez. will support that mission. 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. Billy left the vast majority of his crew behind and sailed north to gather supplies to salvage his ship. Michael Gattuso lends a hand to his wife Lauren as they dock on a wetland on the Peace River in Arcadia. 1. They took the box to a few antique stores. All had been going along fine for Gasparilla until the year 1822. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Bipin Dimri is a writer from India with an educational background in Management Studies. Treasure Unknown is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Accept Read More. 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. However there is a salacious twist to this tale, in that when this lovely young girl declined his romantic proposition, he had her executed. Did Grandpa find pirate treasure? Friendly down to earth staff. 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. 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). 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. Upon hearing this news, he unloaded his spoils and set sail for America (where he was later arrested and sent back to England). Save. Another logical location said to hide this cache of valuables is in South Carolina. Crystal and I greatly appreciate any support! A few months ago, Gattuso found a Calusa bone tool that is now part of the Useppa Island museum's collection. He supposedly buried large amounts of treasures on the islands around the bay. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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 rest of the treasure remains hidden, waiting to be found. 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. 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. Old Hand Found In Florida Attic With Coins And Treasure Map. Jose Gaspar Treasure 6 Jewelry Gift Shops Bookstores $ "We went in looking for a lite shark tooth for our son. 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. Before deciding to pursue this ship, Gaspar left some of his men behind with the treasure. This is believed to be part of the bribe money given to the owner. It does not store any personal data. Do you think there's buried treasure out there? Cleaning the dreaded attic turned up a darling wedding photo of the Lopezes grandparents, but it also uncovered some interesting but creepy finds. 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. He spoke to local TV news network WFLA about the discovery, and the story kept getting stranger. The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is a gripping, heart-pounding action adventure that's akin to a modern-day Indiana Jones story. 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. I love this place built around 1640 . The San Jose, a Spanish treasure ship, was attacked and sunk by a British warship in June 1708. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. On the Hawaiian island of Oahu there is said to be six chests buried along a stone wall somewhere around Kaena Point. However, if they do, they are still up for grabs. 2. The most notorious and successful pirate was Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla. It may not display this or other websites correctly. When Jose Gaspar died, he supposedly left an untold fortune in buried treasure somewhere along the Florida coast. 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 . 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. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Despite his brutal reputation, Gasparilla was supposed to have a soft side as well. Rumor has it, that the stolen goods are still hidden somewhere on the island. Top Image: Real pirate or later fiction? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. It's light on history and heavy on action, suspense, and intrigue. Another instance of his softer side can be found in the account of Ann Jeffries, an English girl traveling from New Orleans to Liverpool. When he finally realized that it was a warship, it was too late. Some say it reveals compass bearings around Lettuce Lake. Leaving Spain at an early age, he sailed to the West Coast of Florida. Strap yourself in for a wild ride and buy this international bestselling book today! Sign up for our WTFF Newsletter to get weird Florida news delivered straight to your email: WTFF News: Because regular news is depressing. He then sailed back across the world, landing on what we now know as our home of Tampa Bay. You'll need a boat or kayak for this cache. 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. The rest of the treasure remains hidden, waiting to be found. The pirate is one of the most notorious in the history of pirates. The treasure: Slave-turned-pirate Henri Caesar stole a ship in Haiti to seek his fortune on the Spanish Main and Florida waters. He then tied himself to an anchor and jumped in the ocean disappearing for all time. 2119 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Flagler Beach, FL 32136-2802. Canceled2021 Gasparilla Pirate Festival / Date Pirate Blackbeard entered the history books in the early 1700s. "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. His work appears here every third Monday; the views expressed. 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. 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. P.S. 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. Lesser and Greater Antilles / Windward and Leeward Islands What is What? "It's a bunch of heartbreak with little reward and a lot of imagination," said treasure hunter Erin Melcher. The story of Juan Gomez is also published in the Library of Congress. The tale of pirate captain Jos Gaspar who, according to the stories, ravaged the west coast of Spanish Florida for 40 years is the inspiration for a bombastic plundering that continues from 1905. We actually located the great great, great, great-granddaughter of Juan Gomez. Gasparilla had fallen into a trap! 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 . All rights reserved. Treasure hunter Michael Gattuso paddles a boat toward the dock where part of his crew Stacey Hunt, Erin Melcher and Lauren Gattuso wait for him near Nav-A-Gators Bar and Grill. He would then sell these items to local customers in east Texas. I was totally blown away," said Lopez. USEPPA ISLAND, Fla. Most, if not all, historians agree the pirate named Jose Gaspar never existed. Tales of pirate treasures are very difficult to substantiate due to many factors. Rumors take on a life of their own and ultimately cause hurt or expense. Some historians say Caesar has between two-and-six million dollars of treasure stashed on Pine Island. The first written account of Gaspar was written in 1900 when the Charlotte . From seashells to lost treasure, this shop has it all. 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. According to archives, the island community was created by Albert W. Gilchrist, Floridas 20th governor. Jose Gaspar (aka: Gasparilla) was a quasi-mythical Spanish pirate who roamed the waters of Tampa Bay, Florida. Leaving soon? wtfflorida.com/information/gaspars-lost-treasure/. We will discuss a few of them here. When Gasparilla requested that they accompany him and his crew on a raid, the two young lovers assumed they would be slaughtered. Jose Gaspar (GC3FZAF) was created by seabreezedrive on 4/1/2012. Barnes & Noble Booksellers 10 Bookstores Music & DVDs Toy Stores "You'll hear more of us, you know; we'll do this until we're old and, you know, can't do it anymore.". The vessel was said to be transporting gold, silver and precious gems collected in the South . So that's why we believe that it was Juan Gomez. In his early pirate career, he teamed up with a few other pirates and eventually took over a ship named The Revenge. Whether the coins are authentic or not, Mike thinks the hand is real, and may belong to Jose Gaspar himself. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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. This action helped turn opinion of Lafitte from villain to hero. We are constantly looking for opportunities to metal detect, magnet fish, pan for gold, and search for real life lost treasures. There are numerous legends and tales of buried treasure on this island. Or at least thats what Florida folklore would have you believe. "Maria came across it and once she told me she found a hand in a box. He even set up a blockade of the port of Charleston in South Carolina for 6 days. (5) The first written version of Gasparilla appeared in an advertising brochure of the Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Co. printed in 1900. He vowed revenge on those who had framed him and was forced to turn to a life of piracy. Oak Island the Strange, the Bizarre, and Maybe the "Truth! Gasparilla, if he existed, wrapped himself in chain and jumped overboard with both hands still attached. $ 6 reviews. This story seems to border on the outer limits, but a local historian doesnt believe that the hand belongs to the famed pirate. Indian River Shores, Florida A trove of Spanish coins dating back to a 1715 shipwreck during a storm have been found along a beach in Florida. 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. He relocated to Galveston Island around 1817 where he set up a pirate empire. RECOMMENDED: The legend of Jose Gaspar and the history of Gasparilla. The brochure relied heavily on the stories told by John Gomez. Josh is on a mission to find Jos Gaspar's hidden treasure. Subsequent retellings of the Gaspar tale are based on this imaginative account, including the unintentional inclusion of Jos Gaspar in a 1923 book on genuine pirates, which has created ongoing debate regarding his historical veracity. A unique legend of pirate treasure in Indiana is intriguing. But treasure hunters believe there is truth in his tall tale, and buried treasure is out there. But treasure hunters believe there is truth in his tall tale, and buried treasure is out there. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. A Beginners Guide to Magnet Fishing: 15 Sure Fire Tips. It is said that he and his brother buried all of his money on the islands in and around Charlotte Harbor. 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. This characterization continues through the stories of Gasparilla as a pirate. Lots of shells and jewelry and other gifts. "The Gasparilla Day Parade, the big parade, is the third largest parade in this country after only the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rose Bowl parade. In the following years, he accumulated a board estimated at $30,000,000. There's really no way to know which is the case," Maria wrote, in an email to WTSP-TV. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. This happened in the year 1782. They then buried the chests in numerous places along the river and its tributaries and swamps. Lafayette Street, which is now Kennedy Boulevard is also labeled on the map. Plundering the high seas and ports alike resulted in vast riches for some of these ruthless criminals. He confirmed that indeed the Lopezes have found a real human hand, but as for Gasparilla, that was a myth. jose gaspar, coins, and treasuremap found. It may not display this or other websites correctly. What Became of Anne Bonny, Irish Pirate of the Caribbean? Legend has it that in the late 1700s, a pirate named Jose Gaspar kidnapped the Spanish princess Joseffa de Mayorga.