The Legend of Gasparilla Island, Florida

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

OK, raise your hand if you have ever heard of Gasparilla Island or the legend that surrounds the island's fascinating history.  Well, you won't find this story in any of your history books because the legend of Gasparilla Island was passed down from generations by word of mouth.  Historians are not certain how the island was named.  It could have been named after an early Spanish missionary, or, it could have been named after a blood thirsty pirate named Jose Gaspar, who had a lusty appetite for gold, silver, and women.

Jose Gaspa 1756-1821

 More about this legend in just a moment.  But, first let me bring you update on our travels.  Kitty and I are on an island hoping adventure with our neighbors, Ted and Pat.  We are camped at WP Franklin Corp of Engineers Campground located north east of Fort Myers and west of Alva, Florida.  Gasparilla Island is the first stop of our island adventure, and we are all anxious to get started.

We woke up this morning to a beautiful sun rise at our campground.  Here's what we saw...

Gasparilla Island is located along Florida's west coast just a few miles north of Captive Island. You'll hear how Captiva Island was named and how it ties into the legend of Gasparilla Island in just a moment.  Gasparilla Island is a quaint little island with no gas station, several local restaurants, hotels,  a state park, the town of Boca Grande, a light house and range light.

It was cool and blustery during our visit, and the surf was hammering the shore.

Not many folks are on the beach on a day like today!

This range light was originally erected in Delaware in 1891.  The 105 foot steel-skeleton tower was dismantled piece by piece and shipped to Gasparilla Island in 1931.

This active light house was built in 1890 and is located on the southern tip of Gasparilla Island.  It was abandoned by the Coast Guard in 1967.  The station was rebuilt and returned to service in 1986. 

This light house also houses a museum depicting the history of the Island.  But, there is no mention of Jose Gaspar and his evil ways in this museum.

Jose Gaspar and his band of evil pirates ruled the Gulf waters around Gasparilla Island for nearly 30 years.  They would raid merchant ships taking their gold and silver treasures.  The men that they captured were either executed or joined the band of pirates.  The women were held as captives on a nearby island later named Captiva Island for "captive women."

According to the legend, one of Gaspar's captives was a Spanish Princes named Josefa.  Gaspar fell in love with Josefa and asked her to marry him.  She refused his offer by cursing him and spat in his eye.  In a fit of rage, Gaspar drew his sword and beheaded her.  It is said that he felt so badly about killing his beloved Josefa, that he buried her body near the location where the above light house stands today, and put her head in a jar and kept it on his boat.  Some say the decapitated ghost still roams the island looking for her head.

In 1821, Gaspar was planning to retire.  While dividing up their treasures, the pirates spotted another merchant ship and couldn't resist the temptation for one last exploitation.  It turns out the merchant ship was actually the USS Enterprise.  In the ensuing battle, the Enterprise blasted Gaspar's pirate ship with canon fire and it began to sink.  Rather than surrender, Gaspar wrapped the anchor chain around his waist and jumped off the ships bow.  He was last heard yelling, "Gasparilla dies by his own hand."  Most of the pirates were either killed during the battle, or later hanged.  The few that managed to escape kept the legend alive by telling others about their adventures.  And now you know the legend of Gasparilla Island!