Johns Pass, which connects Boca Ciega Bay to the Gulf of Mexico, was created by a hurricane in 1848. This hurricane, as ledgend has it, likely affect one person more than any other at the time – John Levique. Everyone talks of John Levique (or Leveque) and his stature as a Floridian folk hero. It is a fact he was French by birth but it’s questionable if he was a pirate. Supposedly Levique buried a chest of pieces of eight and doubloons (possibly ill gotten) around Madeira Beach prior to the Hurricane of 1848.
While trading Green Turtles for gold in New Orleans, Levique and his partner, a Spaniard named Silva, made their way back to Madeira Beach. When they arrived they found that the Gale of 1848 had cut Madeira Beach in half. Levique’s gold was no where to be found with this drastic change in the landscape. Johns Pass or “The Pass” is named after Levique and there’s even a John Levique Pirate Day. The lore goes on to say that Levique continued to live here here in Johns Pass for the remainder of his life…searching for his treasure chest. Maybe you’ll be the one to find Levique’s treasure while on your watersports adventure in John Pass!
