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There are many differing versions about the pirates origins and life, but there is no real historical evidence that he ever existed. "We are not sure what we're going to do with it," said Lopez. We also participate in programs from eBay, CJ, Bluehost, Clickbank, ShareASale, and other sites. 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. He then sailed back across the world, landing on what we now know as our home of Tampa Bay. 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. "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. This location is said to be on the southern end at False Live Oak Point. He spoke to local TV news network WFLA about the discovery, and the story kept getting stranger. This treasure as well as the tunnels remain lost. Available at: https://www.wfla.com/news/gasparilla/history-of-gasparilla-jose-gaspar-his-krewe/, ymkg, 2022. This action helped turn opinion of Lafitte from villain to hero. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. USEPPA ISLAND, Fla. Most, if not all, historians agree the pirate named Jose Gaspar never existed. Some records give him the honor of being what we would call an admiral. 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. 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. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 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. This endeavor lasted only about 5 years when the us army came to visit Lafitte, asking him to leave. I love this place built around 1640 . 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. Photos show a centuries-old shipwreck found off Colombia's coast carrying lost treasure worth billions of dollars, including gold coins and emeralds. Having spent some time here, Blackbeard built a fort near a swamp west of Charleston. His headquarters were at Boca Grande, on what is today known as Gasparilla Island. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. When he finally realized that it was a warship, it was too late. The vessel was said to be transporting gold, silver and precious gems collected in the South . He was sentenced to prison and eventually released. 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. It does not store any personal data. His ship was scuttled in the battle sending the valuables to the bottom of the ocean. 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. However his name and supposed deeds are still celebrated to this day, not least with the annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival, which began in 1904 in Tampa, Florida, which honors his tale. All had been going along fine for Gasparilla until the year 1822. Gasparilla, if he existed, wrapped himself in chain and jumped overboard with both hands still attached. Jose was also an officer of high standing in the naval affairs of the Spaniards. 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 Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is a gripping, heart-pounding action adventure that's akin to a modern-day Indiana Jones story. 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 . What year did Gasparilla start? 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. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, no pirate was more feared in the southern United States than Jose Gaspar. He was wanted until 1815 when opinion of him changed. 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. 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. 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. 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. The legend of Gaspar was first recorded in promotional materials for this Boca Grande Hotel. It seems the mythical pirate was a tall tale concocted by a man named Juan Gmez. When Maria and Mike were children, their grandfather would tell them stories about his father, Ernesto Lopez, finding Jose Gaspar's pirate treasure. Most of the suspected locations are in and around the state of Florida. Answer: True This is an area where the stories of Gaspar are for once consistent. Show more. The choice of the navy career wasn't courage and thirst for adventure on the part of Jose but an expediency of the moment. Chasing Treasure: The myth of Gasparilla and the real-life man Juan Gomez. By clicking Accept Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. 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. Legend has it that Gasparilla spotted a huge ship sailing in the distance. Mike Lopez tells WFLA that his sister was. These tunnels converged into a large chamber underground. If marriage was selected, there would be a ceremony, and the marriage promise would be strictly enforced. 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. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla (supposedly lived c. Kidd set sail for England and was commissioned as a privateer by the English government. While in Florida, Caesar palled up with Jose Gaspar, better known as "Gasparilla.". 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. On the Hawaiian island of Oahu there is said to be six chests buried along a stone wall somewhere around Kaena Point. 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. As the story goes, the pirate Jose Gaspar was hunting for the USS Enterprise in 1821; onboard was Juan Gmez, the man who lived to tell the tale. He met and married his wife in New York and had 2 daughters. 1. Despite his brutal reputation, Gasparilla was supposed to have a soft side as well. 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 . Lets do this. But Gasparilla himself did not survive the final battle. We have compiled a list of 11 potential pirate treasure troves left unfound. Jose Gaspar Treasure Company | Flagler Beach FL 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. 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 . When a ship was taken, the people aboard were not immediately murdered but instead offered the option of dying or joining Gasparillas crew. Santa Rosa Island has been sort of a local hotspot for finding bags of gold and silver coins. If there is one thing pirates are known for it is treasure. Lots of shells and jewelry and other gifts. Who was this figure, and what was he supposed to have done? Or they were always togahter. There are numerous legends and tales of buried treasure on this island. His sister found a box in their grandfather's attic in Tampa, Fla., a few weeks ago while doing some spring cleaning. Crystal and I greatly appreciate any support! Treasure hunting can be a fun and exciting activity. 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. CBS affiliate WPEC-TV reported that 43-year-old treasure hunter Jonah Martinez located the coins using a . 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. He successfully captured a few ships during his years long voyage. Another logical location said to hide this cache of valuables is in South Carolina. Josh Gates sets sail for Florida chasing the long-lost treasure of bloodthirsty pirate Jose Gaspar. 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). Still, it was not very soon after that, that Tampa captured that myth," Kite-Powell said. The gold coins were too thin and too old to pass as authentic Spanish treasure. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. I love searching for all types of "treasures" with my family. You must log in or register to reply here. 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. Available at: https://ymkg.com/the-legend-of-jose-gasparilla/. He enjoyed telling stories about his adventures on the high seas and a large amount of Gasparillas treasure that was never discovered. JavaScript is disabled. Mysterious box containing a map, coins and a mummified hand found in Tampa Bay attic. Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. However, this treasure is also attributed to the infamous pirate Blackbeard. 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. 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. In 1705 the group was killed by French traders who were tired of being robbed by these men. The allures of Jose Gaspar's mythical treasure and Tampa's giant pirate parade have pulled strongly on producers of reality television lately. There are also inherent dangers involved with any of these types of adventures. The most famous Florida pirate was Jos Gaspar, known by his nickname Gasparilla. In the 1690s a war broke out between England and France. Or show us love by sharing articles and leaving great comments. 2 chests are also rumored to be buried on Clarkes Island on the Connecticut River. 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. Once he was a few hundred meters away, the British flag came down and the American flag rose up the mast. What remains of Jos Gaspar today are his stories and legends, but most significant of them all is the secret of these mysterious cherries. What he thought was a British cargo ship turned out to be the USS Enterprise, on a mission to end piracy. What we do know is that he is considered a hero to some and a villain to others. Ancient Viking treasures found in England actually seems to be a thing, as many of relative value have been found throughout the years. They bribed the owner with some of the treasure to not divulge their location. Before deciding to pursue this ship, Gaspar left some of his men behind with the treasure. He was most likely a sailor for the English Navy who became unemployed and turned to a life of piracy. Just . Find the treasure, don't report it, melt it down or sell it on the black market using a different name. Gaspar did not exist, but never mind that. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Louisiana makes sense because during most of his time here, he was considered a fugitive by the US. Icelanders and the Huldufolk: A Nation Gripped by Farinis Great Discovery: Is there a Lost City Top Ten Knights of King Arthurs Round Table. 2119 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Flagler Beach, FL 32136-2802. Box allegedly containing Gaspars hand and related items Photo Credit. Aged Rum. I have never found any real evidence he lived. He spent nearly 30 years plundering ships in and around the gulf coast. (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. I was totally blown away," said Lopez. His ship soon followed him to the watery depths. The American Government then decided to get into the act and sent a Navy squadron to end his career. In it, she introduced herself and wrote that her parents were. He told of the looting of ships, the massacre of innocents, and last of all, when his life had nearly passed, he told the story of 'The Little Spanish Princess,' whose name he did not remember. 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. 1 Review #9 of 11 Shopping in Flagler Beach. 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. Website. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 1. It was a simple wooden box, but inside were fascinating (and macabre) clues to a family mystery. 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. The San Jose, a Spanish treasure ship, was attacked and sunk by a British warship in June 1708. Seeing the writing on the wall, he decided to scuttle his own ship and hide with his crew in the forrest. Gasparilla seized her ship, and the hostages were brought to his hideout on Gasparilla Island. Once it was in print, people kept spreading it as absolute truth. 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. Here is what we have been able to piece together about this controversial pirate. They then buried the chests in numerous places along the river and its tributaries and swamps. May 4, 1904Gasparilla Pirate Festival / First event date. There is another treasure said to be buried on Kelly Island in Delaware by James Gillian, a member of Kidds crew. Rogers is said to have hidden huge amounts of gold and silver bars worth a fortune today. Canceled2021 Gasparilla Pirate Festival / Date Read another story from us:Norways Saint Olaf Uncovered: Archaeologists Believe They have Discovered the Shrine of the Lost Viking King. The 300,000 partiers who will swarm the streets Saturday in Tampa for the annual Gasparilla pirate parade won't care. Gaspar apparently did not share this attraction and instead gave his attention to other women of the court. Gasparilla seized their ship, as well as their 11 dowries, but fell madly in love with the Spanish princess. It is said that Captain Kidd came ashore here. This was around the 1870s, after the Civil War. According to archives, the island community was created by Albert W. Gilchrist, Floridas 20th governor. We lived not far from Gasparella Island and Charlotte Harbour.where the legend supposedly ended. This allegedly infuriated the young lady who devised a plan to essentially frame Gaspar for stealing some jewels. . Jose Gaspar commandeered the 'Floridablanca', the ship upon which he was serving, to commence his life of piracy. But Rodney Kite-Powell, a Tampa-Bay curator, doesn't believe that the legendary figure was even real. 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." (story from treasurelore.com). We will discuss a few of them here. If we find that buried treasure together, we can split the booty among all of our readers and we never have to work again. There are numerous tales and stories of pirate treasures hidden thought the world, some of which are not attributed to any particular pirate. 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 . But treasure hunters believe there is truth in his tall tale, and buried treasure is out there. https://wtfflorida.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/17-Oru-Para-Todos-Los-Santos-Part-1-Eleggua.mp3, Its gonna be really f*cking cold in Florida; impending snow, death, mayhem, Andrew Van Sickle assigned as prosecutor in the infamous shark case, Lets Make Florida Slightly Less Fucked Up, Alligator attacks Peace River swimmer in Arcadia, Florida Man Cuts off Gator Tail to Impress Girlfriend and Tries to Sell it to Neighbors, Traffic stop leads to meth arrest in Silver Springs. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The pirate, whose full name is Jos Gaspar, is a legend from the 18th and 19th century. Gasparilla not only granted Lopez permission but also bestowed his blessing on his long-time friend, providing a ship and several men to accompany him back to Spain. He supposedly buried 3 chests under a palm tree somewhere in the vicinity. . Definitely try, Find our recommended Caribbean hotels, restaurants, charters, & tours. Once again our legend states that he hid 3 large chests among a group of trees on San Jose Island. There are a few pirates who may have hidden treasure at this spot, including Billy. The leaflet establishes Gaspars legend, claiming that he chose Gasparilla Island as the best of the islands in Charlotte Harbor to establish his base. The story states that Rogers discovered these lost tunnels and used them to store his treasure. Caesar was forced to push his pirate pack north to the Gulf of Mexico. We have seven maps.". (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); If anybody wants to start a treasure seach team, WTF Florida? Lopez wasn't a fan of pirates when he was growing up. 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. Historic Mysteries provides captivating articles on archaeology, history, and unexplained mysteries. It's light on history and heavy on action, suspense, and intrigue. Email him at elcompa29@gmail.com. The legend of Gaspar began making its way into other writings after that, without any other historical evidence to back it up. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. When Jose Gaspar died, he supposedly left an untold fortune in buried treasure somewhere along the Florida coast. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 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. 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 . Finally Pirates Cove, which is on the southern tip of Connecticut may house these valuable chests. Treasure Unknown is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. He is even said to have buried treasure somewhere on the island near where the lighthouse now stands. In 1897, he purchased land at Boca Grande, an island outpost. This is the spot for all of your seaside decorating needs. The Gasparilla Inn was a hotel on the island. $ 6 reviews. Rather than be captured by the United States Navy, he wrapped an anchor chain around his leg and jumped overboard, the heavy metal dragging him out of sight into the deep blue waters. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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 brochure relied heavily on the stories told by John Gomez. In different accounts, details of his early life, motivations, and activities varied. He did what all retired people do in Florida he fell ill one day and died. 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 found a hillside where he buried 2 pirate chests filled with valuable metals and jewels. My grandfather had a book on all these when I was younger. First of all there was a Spanish Catholic missionary named Gasparillo that had a mission on the island that bears his name. But they know long-lost treasures and artifacts are out there. 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 city of Tampa hosts a Gasparilla Day each year. In fact, we dont even know for certain his real name. This story seems to border on the outer limits, but a local historian doesnt believe that the hand belongs to the famed pirate. It's located in Florida, United States.A real, albeit, small treasure chest on a real small island. New details have emerged about the San Jose, a Spanish galleon sunk by British ships 300 years ago. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". (5) The first written version of Gasparilla appeared in an advertising brochure of the Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad Co. printed in 1900. The most notorious and successful pirate was Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla. Thread starter seeker41; Start date Apr 29, 2015 Apr 29, 2015 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. Michael Gattuso lends a hand to his wife Lauren as they dock on a wetland on the Peace River in Arcadia. However, he spotted a British merchant ship and could not resist one final prize. 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. Jose Gaspar, the legendary buccaneer who inspired Tampas Gasparilla Pirate Festival, as well as fantastic tales of lost treasure, most likely never really existed. St. Vincent Island off the coast of Florida is said to have been an island frequented by early pirates. Flagler Beach, FL 32136. In Polish origin the meaning of name Gaspar is : Treasure keeper Spanish Meaning : The name Gaspar is an Spanish baby name. 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. 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. Friendly down to earth staff. The team, known as the "Temple Twelve," have been . The San Jose galleon was believed to have been . RECOMMENDED: The legend of Jose Gaspar and the history of Gasparilla. You are using an out of date browser. The final and perhaps most intriguing possibility is around the Spanish Fort San Carlos in Pensacola. A few years later, he fell out of favor with the government and turned to a life of piracy. Leaving Spain at an early age, he sailed to the West Coast of Florida. All of it is built around the story of Gaspar. Though he is a popular figure in Florida folklore, no evidence of his existence appears in writing before the early 20th century. They will be focused on the Florida coastline, right in my back yard. ", Pirate treasure in grandpa's attic includes human hand. He has taken his place in local folklore and culture and has an annual festival in his honor. Not much is known of his early life before his pirating career. Plundering the high seas and ports alike resulted in vast riches for some of these ruthless criminals. This activity is a great way to enjoy some peaceful quite time outdoors or can be a unique experience for 8 Super Fun Family Treasure Hunt Ideas: With Real Treasure. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. "It's a bunch of heartbreak with little reward and a lot of imagination," said treasure hunter Erin Melcher. One of the most popular pirates in Florida folklore is Jose' Gaspar. The Story of Gasparilla by ABC Action News on Scribd. Michael Gattuso and his crew got a cable debut Wednesday night in an episode of Discovery Channel's show "Expedition Unknown." The author of the pamphlet readily stated that the spectacular tale was a work of fiction with no genuine facts in it. He eventually retired and settled down on Shell Creek near Lettuce Lake in DeSoto County, where he lived for many years. The ship contained $1,000,000 in assorted treasure, and should be there today. In his early pirate career, he teamed up with a few other pirates and eventually took over a ship named The Revenge. The pirate is one of the most notorious in the history of pirates. Gilchrist intended to turn the area into a community. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. (2) Most of the islands around Charlotte Harbor were named by the Cuban Spanish fishermen that lived there since the 1600's. One day Gasparilla prepared to attack a merchantman, but to his surprise, it turned out to be a United States man-of-war. Gasparilla had decided to retire following the sale of Florida to the United States, and was dividing his treasure (valued at six times the purchase price of the entire state of Florida) between his crew. 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. With Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses, How We Became Mr. and Mrs. ", "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. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/f2/ferret-iii.htm, Florida's Pirate Jose Gaspar and his Treasure Story. It's light on history and heavy on action, suspense, and intrigue. There is not much known about his adventures in Florida but there is rumors of him hiding a large treasure around Choctawatchee Bay. 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. The story of Juan Gomez is also published in the Library of Congress. 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.