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104-514: While Gaspar is a popular figure in Florida folklore, there is no evidence that he existed. No contemporary mention of his life or exploits has been found in Spanish or American ship logs, court records, newspapers, or other archives, and no physical artifacts linked to Gaspar have been discovered in the area where he supposedly established his "pirate kingdom." The earliest known written mention of José Gaspar

208-685: A property in Lee County, Florida on the National Register of Historic Places is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Sanibel Island Sanibel is an island and city in Lee County, Florida , United States. The population was 6,382 at the 2020 census , down from 6,469 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The island, also known as Sanibel Island , constitutes

312-595: A "colorful" eccentric who claimed to have been a pirate to sell fake treasure maps to "the gullible" for a "fancy figure". In 1923, Boston historian Francis B. C. Bradlee received a copy of the Gasparilla Inn brochure from Robert Bradley, then president of the Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railway Company. Assuming that Gasparilla's story was authentic, Bradlee included many details in his book Piracy In The West Indies And Its Suppression without attempting to verify

416-408: A balance between development and preservation of the island's ecology. In September 2022, the causeway was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ian . Due to easy causeway access, Sanibel is a popular tourist destination known for its shell beaches and wildlife refuges. More than half the island is made up of wildlife refuges, the largest being J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge . The Island hosts

520-742: A base on Gasparilla Island on the virtually uninhabited southwest coast of Spanish Florida and turned to piracy aboard his ship, the Floriblanca . He terrorized shipping in the Gulf of Mexico and along the Spanish Main during a period coinciding with the Spanish rule of Florida (1783-1821), amassing an enormous fortune by capturing hundreds of merchant ships. The ships and cargo would be sold in friendly ports, male prisoners would be forced to join his pirate band or be put to death, and female prisoners would be taken to

624-650: A coastal pilot for the U.S. Navy during the Civil War , was involved in filibustering (and perhaps pirating) in Central America and the Caribbean, and escaped a Cuban prison just before his scheduled execution, among other remarkable exploits spread out over the entirety of the 19th century. While none of these stories can be verified, researchers have found records indicating that Gómez lived in several locations around southwest Florida from about 1870 until his death, including

728-446: A dozen buildings plus a tall watchtower perched atop an " ancient Indian mound filled with gold and the bleached bones of his victims". However, no physical evidence has ever been found to support these claims. Gasparilla Island became a small but busy port soon after phosphate was found nearby in the late 1800s, and modern shipping facilities, a bridge, and a railway to the island were constructed at that time. The area transitioned to

832-467: A few personal accounts in newspapers and magazines and his obituary. However, though many versions of the Gasparilla legend claim that Gómez was the last surviving member of the pirate's crew, no contemporary account of Gómez's life or tall tales mention José Gaspar. The connection was first made soon after he died in 1900 when a promotional pamphlet for a Charlotte Harbor resort hotel (see below) claimed that

936-658: A former Haitian slave who escaped during the Haitian Revolution to become a pirate. According to folklore, Black Caesar came to the Gulf of Mexico during the War of 1812 to avoid interference from the British. In the Gulf he befriended Gasparilla, who allowed him to establish himself on Sanibel Island. Eventually the old Spaniard discovered Caesar had been stealing from him and chased him off, but not before his loot had been buried. In 1832,

1040-536: A handful escaping into the wilderness. Some versions of the story claim that one of the escapees was John Gómez, who would tell the tale to subsequent generations. Though his story has been retold in many forms since its first appearance around 1900, there is no evidence that the pirate José Gaspar existed. The period in which he was supposedly active was well after the " Golden Age of Piracy " (c. 1650 - 1725), when actual historical figures such as Bartholomew Roberts , Blackbeard , and William Kidd operated in and around

1144-506: A median income of $ 80,152 versus $ 45,458 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 79,742. About 3.6% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, with 21.3% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over. The island's curved shrimp -like shape forms Tarpon Bay on the north side of the island. It is linked to the mainland by the Sanibel Causeway , which runs across two small manmade islets and

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1248-488: A member of his crew, perhaps Juan Gómez. However, the diary was said to have been lost, and no other evidence was disclosed. In 2004, YMKG published a new centennial history of the organization. This document recounts the Gasparilla legend first published in 1936 but adds a coda that concedes that scholarly research conducted in both Spanish and American archives has yet to uncover any evidence of Gaspar's existence. The history concludes with this statement: Whether Gasparilla,

1352-513: A moniker more likely to be attached to a pacifist priest than a bloodthirsty buccaneer. Gasparilla Island is a narrow barrier island on the northern side of the mouth of Charlotte Harbor that is about 7 miles (11 km) long and less than 1 mile (1.6 km) across at its widest point. The various versions of the Gaspar legend claim that he constructed a "regal" home base there, with the first written account claiming that his hideout consisted of over

1456-482: A more tourist-based economy centered on sport fishing in the 1900s. The resort town of Boca Grande was established at the end of the old rail line, the Gasparilla Inn & Club opened in 1911, and several more resorts, hundreds of homes, a golf course, and Gasparilla Island State Park were constructed in the decades that followed. Virtually all of Gasparilla Island above the high tide line had been developed by

1560-414: A nearby isle (called Captiva Island for this reason) to be held for ransom or to serve as wives or concubines for the pirates. Different versions of Gaspar's legend relate a variety of adventues over his long career, some of which appear in conflicting variations depending on the source. One of the most famous episodes involves a Spanish princess (or Mexican , depending on the version) named Useppa, who

1664-572: A pirate "invasion" inspired by the still-obscure legend of Jose Gaspar with added elements from Mardi Gras in New Orleans . The event proved popular, and leading citizens established "Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla" (a club based on the krewes of Mardi Gras) to organize future editions of what became known as the Gasparilla Pirate Festival . In 1936, YMKG commissioned Tampa Tribune editor Edwin D. Lambright to write an authorized history of

1768-429: A private property and relocated to J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge . Plants on the island include the native sea grape , sea oats , mangroves , and several types of palm trees . The Australian pine is an introduced species that has spread throughout the island, to some extent overpowering native vegetation and trees. Once mature, the pine blocks sunlight and drops a thick bed of pine needles that affect

1872-400: A project called RECON ( River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network ) which includes a "network of eight in-water sensors that provide real-time, hourly readings of key water quality parameters." The foundation also serves to protect the wildlife on the island and has a variety of education programs designed to instruct people about the island's unique ecology. The biggest wildlife refuge on

1976-474: A ship and fled, vowing to exact revenge on his country. In still other versions, Gaspar was a brilliant but nefarious Spanish admiral who actually succeed in stealing the crown jewels. When his theft was discovered, he seized the "prize vessel of the Spanish fleet" with a group of loyal followers and abandoned his wife and children to flee across the Atlantic Ocean. In all versions, the renegade established

2080-535: A significant hit, and about every 40 years a major one. Most of these have affected Sanibel. On August 13, 2004, it was hit hard by Hurricane Charley , a category four hurricane with 143 mph (230 km/h) winds. It was the strongest to hit Southwest Florida since Hurricane Donna in September 1960. While much of the native vegetation survived, the non-indigenous Australian Pines suffered serious damage, blocking nearly every road. Wildlife officials reported that

2184-464: A stolen ship. Other versions of the story state that Gaspar was a nobleman who achieved a high rank in the Spanish Royal Navy and became a councilor to King Charles III of Spain . He was popular in the court, but when he spurned one lover for another, the jilted lady levied false charges against him, often said to involve the theft of the " crown jewels ". Unjustly facing arrest, he commandeered

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2288-508: Is a population of American alligators on Sanibel Island. A lone rare American crocodile had been seen at the Wildlife Refuge for over 30 years, but she died in 2010 of unseasonably cold winters or old age. A memorial was set up at J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge honoring "Wilma", as she was known by the residents. A new crocodile was introduced in May 2010 when she was found on

2392-617: Is celebrated in Tampa, Florida during the annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival , which was first held in 1904. The story of José Gaspar's life and career varies in different tellings. Most agree that Gaspar was born in Spain about 1756, served in the Spanish Navy until turning to piracy about 1783, and died in battle with the United States Navy off the coast of southwest Florida in 1821. However,

2496-410: Is home to a significant variety of birds , including the roseate spoonbill and several nesting pairs of bald eagles . Birds can be seen on the beaches, the causeway islands, and the reserves, including J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge . Common sights include pelicans , herons , egrets , and anhingas , as well as the more common birds like terns , sandpipers , and seagulls . There

2600-536: Is important, the drive is closed one day every week, Friday, so that the wildlife can have a day to themselves where they can scavenge for food closer to the drive and not have to be bothered by or fearful of humans. There is also an education center which features "interactive exhibits on refuge ecosystems, the life and work of "Ding" Darling, migratory flyways, and the National Wildlife Refuge System." Sanibel's beaches attract visitors from all around

2704-518: Is little to no historical evidence. Most versions of the legend agree that José Gaspar met his end in late 1821, soon after Spain transferred control of the Florida Territory to the United States . Gaspar had decided to retire after almost four decades of pirating, and he and his crew gathered on Gasparilla Island to split the enormous treasure cache he'd collected over his long career. During

2808-524: Is where most of Sanibel's stores and restaurants are, while the Gulf Drives (East, Middle and West) have most of the accommodations. The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation , a nonprofit organization, has been a key player in curbing commercial growth and development on the island. Since 1967, SCCF has been dedicated to preserving natural resources on and around Sanibel and Captiva and has led efforts to acquire and preserve environmentally sensitive land on

2912-731: The 1870 United States Census , he was born in 1828. However, during the 1880 US census , Gómez claimed to have been born in France in 1785. In 1885, he told state census takers that he had been born in Corsica, and reported to the 1900 US Census that he was born in Portugal in 1776. Meanwhile, various contemporary letters and news articles report that Gómez claimed at different times to have been born in 1778, 1781 or 1795 in Honduras, Portugal, or Mauritius . Most of his supposed birth years would have made him one of

3016-607: The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum , in some of the glass display tables at the Sanibel Cafe, and at the Sanibel Shell Fair in early March. Throughout the year, people come to Sanibel's beaches to gather shells. People are often seen bending down as they look for seashells, and this posture is known as the "Sanibel Stoop." There are beaches almost all around the island. There are even beaches along

3120-455: The Caribbean Sea and Atlantic basin . European nations began to make a concerted effort to suppress piracy in the early 1700s, and by 1730, every major pirate of the "golden age" era had been killed. While scattered seaborne attacks by privateers and pirates were a continuing nuisance when Gaspar supposedly arrived at Charlotte Harbor in the 1780s, the navies of Britain, France, Spain, and

3224-479: The Floriblanca was hulled several times below the waterline and began to sink. Rather than surrender, Gaspar wrapped an anchor chain around his waist, dramatically shouted, "Gasparilla dies by his own hand, not the enemy's!", and leapt to his death in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. His surviving crew attempted to flee as the Floridblanca sank within sight of the shore, but most were captured and hanged with only

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3328-651: The Florida Everglades , Key West , Tampa , Pass-a-Grille , and the Ten Thousand Islands. Between his propensity for telling entertaining stories and his real skills as a boat pilot and outdoorsman , Gómez became a popular fishing and hunting guide along Florida's west coast, leading to his being mentioned in several issues of Forest and Stream , an early conservationist magazine. His tall tales were usually shared in very informal settings during fishing trips and hunting expeditions and are only documented in

3432-527: The Gasparilla Inn Resort in the recently established tourist and phosphate mining town of Boca Grande, Florida on Gasparilla Island in Charlotte Harbor . Publicist Pat Lemoyne authored it for the Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railway Company, which had just opened the resort. The brochure consisted of two parts: a telling of the legend of José Gaspar followed by a promotional section touting

3536-602: The Intracoastal Waterway . A short bridge links Sanibel Island to Captiva Island over Blind Pass . The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum on Sanibel is the only museum in the world dedicated entirely to the study of shells. The Gulf-side beaches are excellent on both Sanibel and Captiva, and are world-renowned for their variety of seashells , which include coquinas , scallops , whelks , sand dollars , and many other species of both shallow-water and deeper-water mollusks , primarily bivalves and gastropods . Sanibel Island

3640-469: The Tampa Bay History Center determined that the box contained several non-precious old coins, souvenirs from early Gasparilla parades, and a plat map from the 1920s with local streets, businesses, and landmarks from that time clearly depicted. The origin of the hand remained a mystery, though the curator of the history center opined that it might be a mummified monkey hand. In 1904, members of

3744-538: The United States Census Bureau , the city has an area of 33.16 square miles (85.9 km ), of which 17.21 square miles (44.6 km ) is land and 15.96 square miles (41.3 km ) (48.13%) is water. Sanibel Island, in southern Florida, has a "tropical and humid" climate, with daily high temperatures ranging from 75 °F (24 °C) in midwinter to around 90 °F (32 °C) in the summer. The months of January through April (peak tourist season on

3848-503: The "Little Spanish princess" and sketched a map that led searchers to her body. However, none of these claims were true, as no treasure, murder victims, or other physical trace of Gaspar's exploits has ever been found in the area, and John Gómez drowned while fishing alone, making a deathbed confession impossible. Despite his obvious lack of fact-checking, Bradlee's book was used as a source for later works such as Philip Gosse's Pirates' Who's Who and Frederick W. Dau's Florida Old and New ,

3952-464: The 1780s. For example, "Gasparilla Island" appears on Spanish and English maps made in the early 1700s, and contemporary documents suggest that the barrier island was named for Friar Gaspar, a Spanish missionary who visited the native Calusa in the 1600s. While several purported biographies of the pirate state that the nickname "Gasparilla" means "Gaspar, the outlaw" in Spanish, it is a feminine diminutive meaning "little Gaspar" or "gentle Gaspar",

4056-467: The Charlotte Harbor area. In 1949, a retired Pat Lemoyne gave a history lecture at a Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce function in which he cheerfully admitted that his biography of José Gaspar was a "cockeyed lie without a true fact in it" and that he had written the brochure in a dramatic style that "tourists like to hear". He explained that the story had been inspired by John Gómez's tall tales, which Lemoyne had heard second-hand. Lemoyne described Gómez as

4160-597: The Florida Peninsular Land Company established a settlement on Sanibel (then spelled "Sanybel"), but the colony never took off, and was abandoned by 1849. It was this group that initially petitioned for a lighthouse on the island. The island was repopulated after the implementation of the Homestead Act in 1862, and again a lighthouse was petitioned. Construction of the Sanibel Island Lighthouse

4264-457: The Gaspar legend are unclear. Local folklore about an earlier age featuring the native Calusa people, Spanish explorers , and pirates developed in southwest Florida in the late 1880s as small settlements in the area grew into towns. At the time, the undeveloped Ten Thousand Islands to the south were a refuge for isolated pioneers and real-life outlaws, though these were land-based criminals in hiding, not sea-going buccaneers. Local folklore

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4368-466: The Gasparilla Inn and the Charlotte Harbor area in general. It was freely distributed to guests at the Inn and northern markets to draw attention to the recently opened tourist destination. The cover of the brochure featured a blood-dripping color illustration of Gaspar, and the introduction claimed that the tale of the pirate contained therein was gleaned from stories told by the recently deceased John Gómez, who

4472-602: The Sanibel Historical Village and a variety of other museums, including the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum . Sanibel and Captiva formed as one island about 6,000 years ago. The first known humans in the area were the Calusa , who arrived about 2,500 years ago. The Calusa were a powerful Indian nation who came to dominate most of Southwest Florida through trade via their elaborate system of canals and waterways. Sanibel remained an important Calusa settlement until

4576-512: The Sanibel causeway that are great for fishing and windsurfing . Beach parking is very limited, and in high season finding a convenient parking space can be a challenge. Lighthouse Beach is named after Sanibel Lighthouse , which includes a popular fishing pier and nature trails. The island's most secluded beach is Bowman's Beach; no hotels are in sight and the beach has a "pristine and quiet" atmosphere. A new three-section causeway bridge to Sanibel

4680-521: The Tampa business elite staged a surprise pirate "invasion" during the city's previously sedate May Day celebration. Under the guise of "Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla" (YMKG), an organization modeled after the New Orleans Mardi Gras krewes , the "invaders" donned pirate costumes and rode through the streets on horseback encouraging residents to follow them to the festivities. The event was a hit, and

4784-399: The age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 2.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.92 and the average family size was 2.28. Among the population in 2010, 8.5% under

4888-404: The age of 19, 1.1% from 20 to 24, 7.5% from 25 to 44, 32.7% from 45 to 64, and those aged 65 or older represented 50.1%. The median age was 65 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males age 18 and over. In 2010, the median income for a household in the city was $ 97,788, and the median income for a family was $ 138,194. Males had

4992-504: The area in Congress from 1989 until his appointment as CIA Director in 2004. Other notable people who reside or used to reside on Sanibel include: Sanibel Island is the main setting for crime novels by local author Randy Wayne White. Popular locales are referenced throughout his novels. White's main fictional character is Doc Ford and due to his popularity, White opened a restaurant called Doc Ford's Sanibel Rum Bar & Grill. Sanibel Island

5096-484: The area was sometimes used a refuge for those hiding from the authorities, but it was not a convenient base for active buccaneers. Several historians and other interested parties have attempted to find records proving Gaspar's existence but have failed. While the original version of the story claims that he stole the "crown jewels" of Spain and then fled with the "prized vessel" of the Spanish fleet, research in Spanish archives has turned up no mention of Gaspar's presence in

5200-423: The authors of which also took Gaspar's authenticity for granted. Over the next few decades, several more books about pirates or Florida history erroneously included José Gaspar / Gasparilla as a real historical figure, leading to continuing confusion about his historical authenticity and repeated attempts to find his lost treasure. In 1904, officials in Tampa decided to enliven the city's May Day festival by adding

5304-429: The beginning of the 21st century, yet no trace of Gaspar's "pirate kingdom" has ever been uncovered. Over the years, the persistent belief that Gaspar was real has led to unsubstantiated rumors about mysterious maps and caches of gold coins, prompting professional and amateur treasure hunters to search for his lost loot across southwest Florida. But while there has been no documented recovery of any part of his treasure or

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5408-570: The bulk of the buccaneer's vast cache of buried treasure "still lies unmoved" nearby, in the vicinity of the Gasparilla Inn. Though the brochure presents its "romantic" history of Gaspar as a well-established truth, it is entirely fictional. Local place names mentioned were established long before the pirate's supposed arrival, and despite lurid tales regarding the uncovering of gold and human remains, no such artifacts or any other physical evidence of Gaspar's "regal" home base, victims, or treasure has ever been found on Gasparilla Island or anywhere else in

5512-553: The collapse of their empire, soon after the arrival of the Europeans . During the 1700s, Cuban fishermen seasonally traveled from their homes and set up fishing camps along the Gulf Coast, called ranchos , including on Sanibel Island. In 1765, the first known appearance of a harbor on Sanibel is shown on a map as Puerto de S. Nibel (the "v" and "b" being interchangeable); thus, the name may have evolved from "San Nibel". Alternatively,

5616-479: The distribution process, a lookout spotted what appeared to be a vulnerable merchant ship sailing nearby. Gaspar could not resist taking one last prize, so he led his crew aboard the Floriblanca to pursue their prey. However, when the pirates closed on their quarry and fired a warning shot, their intended victim raised an American flag to reveal that it was the United States Navy pirate hunting schooner USS Enterprise in disguise. A fierce battle ensued in which

5720-418: The early 20th century, during the time when the state became a travel and vacation destination. The inn is a two-and-a-half-story hotel building. Its first section was built in 1911; it was expanded in 1912 and in 1915. Its Classical Revival -style portico was added around 1931. Its original beach club was destroyed in a hurricane in 1921; the new beach club was added in 1928, and an 18-hole golf course

5824-586: The entire Florida territory to the United States for $ 5 million that same year. There is little evidence that pirates of any era based their operations in southwest Florida. The vast majority of loot taken by real-life pirates consisted not of Aztec gold or Inca silver plundered from massive Spanish galleons but of easily liquidated trade goods such as food, tobacco, and lumber taken from small merchant vessels. Since there were no towns along Florida's west coast where stolen cargo could be sold during Gaspar's heyday,

5928-546: The entire city. It is a barrier island —a collection of sand on the leeward side of the more solid coral-rock of Pine Island . Most of the city proper is at the island's eastern end. After the Sanibel causeway was built to replace the ferry in 1963, the city was incorporated in 1974, and the residents asserted control over development by establishing the Sanibel Comprehensive Land Use Plan, helping maintain

6032-528: The festivities over the years, becoming one of the United States' largest parades. An average of over 300,000 people attend the event, which contributes over $ 20 million to the local economy. Gasparilla Inn The Gasparilla Inn & Club is a historic hotel at 500 Palm Avenue on Gasparilla Island in Boca Grande, Florida . The Gasparilla Inn is one of the largest surviving resort hotels in Florida, constructed originally for wealthy northerners in

6136-480: The following year, the Krewe organized a parade in which all 60 of Tampa's cars rode through downtown. The first seaborne "invasion" came in 1911, and YMKG has organized a theatrical pirate invasion and parade almost every year since. Tampa now hosts many community events during its "Gasparilla Season" from approximately January to March. The focal point is still an "invasion" by José Gaspar and his crew, which takes place on

6240-680: The grounds at the rear of the Inn." It includes, as non-contributing resources, the Mallet Club Croquet House and croquet courts to the northeast of the Inn and north of holes five and six of the golf course. The Croquet House incorporates a section of what was originally the Fletcher House, moved in the 1980s from Gilchrist Avenue in Boca Grande. The hotel is a member of the Historic Hotels of America . This article about

6344-411: The information. His book repeated claims that a "burying ground" containing the "bleached bones" of Gaspar's many victims had recently been discovered on Gasparilla Island, that a tall "burial mound" built by a "prehistoric race" had been excavated and found to be full of gold and silver artifacts along with "hundreds of human skeletons", and that a dying John Gómez had confessed to witnessing the murder of

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6448-491: The integrity of the legend. In the 1930s, construction worker Ernesto Lopez showed his family a mysterious box he claimed to have found while working with a repair crew on the Cass Street Bridge in downtown Tampa . According to family stories, the wooden box contained a pile of Spanish and Portuguese coins, a severed hand wearing a ring engraved with the name "Gaspar", and a "treasure map" indicating that Gaspar's treasure

6552-421: The island except for two that were there before the laws were enacted. A new causeway was completed in 2007; it replaced the worn-out 1963 spans, which were not designed to carry heavy loads or large numbers of vehicles. The new bridge features a "flyover" span tall enough for sailboats to pass under, replacing the old bridge's bascule drawbridge span. The original bridge was demolished and its remains were sunk into

6656-427: The island is gifted with great sandy beaches and an abundance of shells." People lucky enough to find the elegant brown-spotted shell of a Junonia on a Sanibel beach often get their picture in the local newspapers. Junonia volutes are reasonably common living in deep water but only rarely wash up; a beach find of a whole shell is greatly prized. Junonia shells can be purchased at local shell shops and are displayed at

6760-442: The island is the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Covering more than 5,200 acres (21 km ) of land, the refuge strives to ensure that these lands are "preserved, restored and maintained as a haven for indigenous and migratory wildlife as part of a nation-wide network of Refuges administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service" The lands also serve to provide a home for many endangered and threatened species. Currently

6864-548: The island or nearby Captiva, Florida . As of the 2020 United States census , there were 6,382 people, 3,919 households, and 2,766 families residing in the city. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 6,469 people, 3,526 households, and 2,322 families residing in the city. In 2010, the population density was 375.9 inhabitants per square mile (145.1/km ). There were 7,821 dwelling units at an average density of 454.6 per square mile (175.5/km ). In 2010, there were 3,526 households, out of which 8.5% had children under

6968-515: The island were built during that period. A short bridge over Blind Pass links Sanibel to Captiva Island . More than half of the two islands are preserved in its natural state as wildlife refuges. Visitors can drive, walk, bike, or kayak through the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge The island's most famous landmark, the Sanibel Lighthouse , is at its eastern end, adjacent to the fishing pier. The main thoroughfare, Periwinkle Way,

7072-464: The island's name evolved. However, no evidence has been found to support this claim. Similarly, Sanibel Island is said to have been named by Gaspar's first mate, Rodrigo Lopez, after his lover whom he had left back in Spain. Empathizing with his friend's plight, Gaspar eventually allowed Lopez to return home. Some versions of the legend claim that Gaspar entrusted Lopez with his log or his diary, both which have been cited as sources for information about

7176-509: The island's rainfall. June is when the Island gets most of its rain. The area is prone to being hit by tropical cyclones and hurricanes; the hurricane season starts in June, but most of the activity occurs in September and October. Local communities have "adapted to cope with these occasional storm threats." Southwest Florida rarely suffers direct strikes by hurricanes, but every 20 or so years it takes

7280-451: The island) have the coolest temperatures, ranging from 75 °F (24 °C) during the day to a cool 55 °F (13 °C) at night, and there is very little rainfall on the island during those months. The island's summer heat and humidity, which has been recorded as high as 100 °F (38 °C), is cooled by the seabreezes from the Gulf of Mexico, and by almost daily afternoon and evening rain showers, which are responsible for much of

7384-517: The islands, including critical wildlife habitats, rare and unique subtropical plant communities, tidal wetlands, and freshwater wetlands along the Sanibel River. The Wall Street Journal selected Sanibel and Captiva Islands as one of the 10 Best Places for Second Homes in 2010. Sanibel is located at 26°26′23″N 82°4′50″W  /  26.43972°N 82.08056°W  / 26.43972; -82.08056 (26.439608, –82.080456). According to

7488-431: The lack of potable water and sanitary sewerage. A temporary city hall for Sanibel was set up in a Fort Myers hotel until utilities and transport could be restored to the island. On September 28, 2022, the island suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Ian , which made landfall just to the north of the island as a strong category 4 storm. The Sanibel Causeway partially collapsed during the storm, leaving no road access to

7592-556: The last Saturday in January. Members of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, accompanied by a flotilla of hundreds of private boats, sail across Tampa Bay to downtown Tampa on the José Gasparilla , a 165' long "pirate" ship which was specially built for this purpose in 1954. The mayor of Tampa then surrenders the key of the city to the "pirate captain", and a "victory parade" ensues down Bayshore Boulevard . Dozens of other Krewes have joined

7696-428: The late 1800s, Gómez lived in a shack with his wife on otherwise uninhabited Panther Key, a small spit of land near Marco Island in the Ten Thousand Islands region of Southwest Florida. He was well known along Florida's Gulf coast as an expert hunting and fishing guide , boat pilot , and an eccentric teller of tall tales , mostly about himself. His self-reported age and birthplace varied, even on official documents. In

7800-400: The late John Gómez was the primary source of its tale of the pirate Gasparilla. Since then, many elaborate and often conflicting stories have been told regarding Gómez's alleged exploits alongside José Gaspar. Some claim that Gómez was the pirate's cabin boy, others that he was Gaspar's brother-in-law and first mate, and still others that Gómez was Gaspar's first mate. At the same time, his son

7904-417: The lore surrounding Gasparilla, this story is apocryphal, as the above references to recognizable variants of the name predate the buccaneer's supposed reign. Sanibel is not the only island in the area to figure prominently in the legends of Gaspar; Captiva, Useppa , and Gasparilla are also connected. Sanibel also appears in another tale, involving Gaspar's ally-turned-rival Black Caesar , said to have been

8008-401: The manner of the buccaneers!" Beater published several additional books about southwest Florida; some marketed as fiction, some as non-fiction, and some as guidebooks for tourists, all including tongue-in-cheek dramatic tales about Gaspar and other pirates. His works and the writings of other local authors with similar themes expanded the story of Gaspar further while also sowing confusion about

8112-715: The many well-documented piracy trials of the era. While the USS Enterprise was assigned to the West Indies Squadron tasked with suppressing piracy in the Caribbean, it is documented to have been in Cuba in December 1821, not in Charlotte Harbor , where Gaspar supposedly jumped to his death in battle. There is also no evidence to support the claim that several local place names in southwest Florida originated with Gaspar, as many appeared on maps drawn long before his supposed arrival in

8216-581: The name may derive, as many believe, from "(Santa) Ybel", which survives in the old placename "Point Ybel", where the Sanibel Island Light is. How it would have gotten this name, however, is a matter of conjecture. One story says it was named by Juan Ponce de León for Queen Isabella I of Castile or the saint whose name she shares . Another attributes the name to Roderigo Lopez, the first mate of José Gaspar (Gasparilla), after his beautiful lover Sanibel whom he had left behind in Spain. But like most of

8320-589: The nests of birds and sea turtles were destroyed. The Sanibel Lighthouse suffered little damage, the Sanibel Causeway suffered relatively minor damage except for a tollbooth being tilted partly over, and a small seawall was eroded. Blind Pass was again cut through, but it refilled less than a month later. Residents who left before the August 13 storm were not allowed back by the city government until August 18, due to hundreds of downed trees and electric power lines, and

8424-439: The newly independent United States were actively patrolling nearby waters, making it improbable that any pirate could successfully harass shipping for decades at the enormous scale claimed by most accounts of Jose Gaspar. The original published Gasparilla story and many subsequent tales claim that the pirate had amassed about $ 30 million in stolen booty by the time of his death in 1821. To put that figure in context, Spain transferred

8528-461: The oldest people in the world in 1900, when he died in a boating accident. Gómez's uncertain birth was said to be just the beginning of an exceedingly long and adventure-filled life. He claimed to have seen Napoleon as a youth in France (or was drafted into Napoleon's army), sailed the world as a cabin boy on a merchant ship, served as a scout for the U.S. Army during the Seminole Wars , served as

8632-435: The organization. Along with a factual history of the krewe and the Gasparilla festival up to that point, the volume included a version of the legend of José Gaspar in which he was depicted as a "respectable" and "courtly" pirate who only resorted to violence when necessary. Lambright claimed that his biography of Gaspar was supported by "unquestionable records", including a diary written by the pirate himself and taken to Spain by

8736-620: The pirate although they have yet to be produced. Gaspar has been associated with various other pirates, both historical and not. Some versions of Gaspar's story claim that he often partnered with the real pirate Pierre Lafitte and that Lafitte barely escaped the battle in which Gaspar was killed. This is unlikely, as there is no record of Lafitte spending time on the southwest Florida coast, and he died in Mexico before Gaspar's supposed demise. Gaspar has also been associated with Henri Caesar and "Old King John", other semi-legendary pirates for whom there

8840-465: The pirate, actually existed or not is a moot point. The legend exists, and that's what matters. The story of Gasparilla and his pirates has lent a certain flair of mystery and adventure to Florida's West Coast since the late 1800s. And on that legend, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla was founded 100 years ago. In 1949, Fort Myers author Jack Beater published a mass-market paperback version of the Gaspar legend called The Gasparilla Story . Though written in

8944-402: The refuge provides a home for over 220 species of birds native to the island. Visitors to the refuge can walk, bike, drive, or kayak though the wildlife drive which takes you through five miles (8.0 kilometres) of mangrove tree forests and tidal flats, this drive is perfect for watching the island's wildlife and looking at the island's native vegetation. To show that preserving the wildlife really

9048-474: The remains of his many alleged victims, unauthorized gold seekers have repeatedly disrupted archeological sites, often in violation of Florida law. As explained by the Boca Grande Historical Society, Calusa and other Native American sites in the Charlotte Harbor region have suffered "unimaginable damage" at the hands of "looters in search of a non-pirate's non-treasure." The original roots of

9152-428: The royal court, his career in the Spanish navy, or his spectacular crimes. Despite claims that he was the most feared pirate in the Gulf of Mexico for several decades, searches of contemporaneous American newspapers have found no mention of the name "Gaspar" or "Gasparilla" or of a pirate ship called Floriblanca , and searches of U.S. Navy archives have found no mention of Gaspar in ships' logs or official court records of

9256-523: The soil's pH and prevents new native growth. The ground is very soft under these pines. The local form of the marsh rice rat has been recognized in some classifications as a separate subspecies , Oryzomys palustris sanibeli . Preserving the island's natural ecology has always been important to its citizens and visitors alike. A driving force in the preservation of the island is the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation which

9360-572: The style of a light adventure novel, the narrator claimed that it was a true tale gleaned from a "mouse-eaten Cuban manuscript" supposedly written by José Gaspar's cousin Leon and corroborated with an old map found at a used bookstore, neither of which were made public. The book also included advertisements for hotels and real estate firms in the Fort Myers and Charlotte Harbor area and invited readers to "Make [their] conquest of Sanibel and Captiva Islands . . . in

9464-439: The various versions differ greatly with regards to his origins and his personal character. In some versions of the story, Gaspar began life as a poverty-stricken Spanish youth who kidnapped a young girl for ransom. Captured and given a choice between prison and joining the navy, he chose to go to sea, where he served with distinction for several years before leading a mutiny against a tyrannical captain and fleeing to Florida with

9568-446: The water to create artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. The main town is on the island's eastern end. The city was formed in 1974, as a direct result of the main causeway being built in 1963 to replace the ferry, and the rampant construction and development that followed. Developers sued over the new restrictions, but the city and citizens prevailed in their quest to protect the island. The only buildings above two to three stories on

9672-457: The world, partly because of the large quantities of seashells that wash up there. Many sand dollars can be found as well. One of the reasons for these large accumulations of shells is that Sanibel is a barrier island that is "part of a large plateau that extends out into the Gulf of Mexico for miles. It is this plateau that acts like a shelf for seashells to gather." Sanibel also has an "east-west orientation when most islands are north-south. Hence,

9776-497: Was a cabin boy. Some even suggest that Gómez was the extraordinarily long-lived José Gaspar himself living under a false name. Most versions of the legend also claim that Gómez knew the whereabouts of Gaspar's vast treasure cache, which seems unlikely given that he petitioned the Lee County Commission for a $ 8 per month stipend due to destitution. The first written account of José Gaspar comes from an early 1900s brochure for

9880-457: Was a passenger on a captured ship. The noblewoman rejected the pirate's advances until he killed her in a rage (or alternately, because his crew demanded her death for refusing their captain). Gaspar instantly regretted the deed and buried her body on a nearby island which he named Useppa in her memory. Some versions identify the lady with Josefa de Mayorga, daughter of Martín de Mayorga , viceroy of New Spain from 1779 to 1782, and contend that

9984-504: Was a short biography included in an early 1900s promotional brochure for the Gasparilla Inn on Gasparilla Island at Charlotte Harbor , the author of which freely admitted that the dramatic tale was a work of fiction "without a true fact in it". Subsequent retellings of the Gaspar legend are based upon this fanciful account, including the accidental inclusion of José Gaspar in a 1923 book on real pirates that has caused ongoing confusion about his historical authenticity. José Gaspar's legend

10088-510: Was added next. The Gasparilla Inn Historic District is a 25 acres (10 ha) historic district which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. It includes the inn, ten guest cottages built between 1915 and 1933, "two housekeeping maintenance sheds, also constructed in 1933, and two historic sites, a croquet court, and holes five and six of the historic 18-hole golf course both of which were constructed c. 1930 on

10192-417: Was completed in 1884, but the community remained small. In May 1963, a causeway linking Sanibel and Captiva to the mainland opened, resulting in an explosion of growth. The City of Sanibel passed new restrictions on development after it was incorporated; developers challenged them to no avail. The island's only buildings taller than two stories predate 1974, and no fast food or chain restaurants are allowed on

10296-445: Was completed in 2007, with a high-span section replacing the original drawbridge. Many sections of the causeway were destroyed in September 2022 by Hurricane Ian , rendering it unusable. Sanibel Public Library was built in 1994 and expanded in 2004. It has more than 60,000 titles. The city's best-known resident is former CIA Director Porter Goss , who spearheaded the island's incorporation, became its first mayor, and represented

10400-415: Was described as the longest-lived member of the crew. Several episodes in Gaspar's career first mentioned in the brochure have been repeated and expanded upon in later retellings, including the tale of the "little Spanish princess" and the details of his dramatic demise. It also sought to connect Gaspar to Charlotte Harbor by claiming that his sprawling home base had encompassed several islands. Captiva Island

10504-532: Was founded in 1967 with a mission to "preserve natural resources and wildlife habitat on and around the islands of Sanibel and Captiva." 1,300 acres (5.3 km ) of land on Sanibel are under the supervision of the Foundation; included in this land there is a "Marine Laboratory which actively conducts research in areas including seagrasses , mangroves , harmful algal blooms , fish populations and shellfish restoration." Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation also has

10608-476: Was hidden near the Hillsborough River in Tampa. In 2015, Lopez's great-grandchildren found a box in their late grandfather's attic containing the items Ernesto Lopez found along with his wedding photo. The family brought the box to the attention of a local reporter, whose TV news report on the strange find was picked up by several national and international news outlets. However, upon examination, experts at

10712-519: Was said to be where his captives were held, Sanibel Island was named after Gaspar's love interest, and his home was on Gasparilla Island - "Taking the best of everything when a capture was made, he chose the best of the islands in Charlotte Harbor for his own secret haunts," it declared. Finally, it claimed that a burial mound "forty feet high and four hundred feet in circumference" near Gasparilla Island had been found to contain "ornaments of gold and silver" along with "hundreds of human skeletons", but that

10816-408: Was spread informally , and little written documentation of these stories survive. One theory is that various pirate-related campfire stories and tall tales coalesced locally into the legend of Jose Gaspar, which was so obscure as to be undocumented into the 20th century. John Gómez (also known as Juan Gómez and Panther John) was a real person who became entangled with the legend of José Gaspar. In

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