José Gaspar, also known by his nickname Gasparilla, is a fictional Spanish pirate who terrorized the Gulf of Mexico from his base in southwest Florida during Florida's second Spanish period. 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 fortune by taking many prizes and ransoming many hostages during his long career and that he died by leaping from his ship rather than face capture by the U.S. Navy, leaving behind his still-hidden treasure.
José Gaspar as illustrated in the 1900 brochure
"Panther John" Gómez from Forest and Stream Magazine
A brochure advertising the Gasparilla Inn (pictured) was the primary source of the Gaspar legend
Box allegedly containing Gaspar's hand and related items
Gasparilla Island is a barrier island in southwest Florida, United States, straddling the border of Charlotte and Lee counties. Its largest town is Boca Grande, and it is the location of the Gasparilla Island State Park. The island has been an important part of Florida folklore due to its connection to the pirate Gasparilla, and it has been a significant tourist destination since the early 20th century.
The Gasparilla Inn in Boca Grande, Gasparilla Island
