While the legends of José Gaspar are full of alleged adventure and swashbuckling, history tells a different story.

Grab your beads, costumes, and eye patches, and get ready for the 2025 Gasparilla parades. The parades will affect parking ...

While the legends of José Gaspar are full of alleged adventure and swashbuckling, history tells a different story.

Instead, history shows that Florida’s 20th governor, Albert W. Gilchrist owned a hotel on Gasparilla Island. He bought land at Boca Grande in 1897, an outpost, and wanted to develop it into a town.

Instead, history shows that Florida’s 20th governor, Albert W. Gilchrist owned a hotel on Gasparilla Island. He bought land at Boca Grande in 1897, an outpost, and wanted to develop it into a town.