Bowlegs Pirate: Billy

When you hear the name "Billy Bowlegs," a specific image probably comes to mind: a peg-legged swashbuckler with a cutlass in his teeth, burying treasure on a sandy Florida beach. He is the star of festivals, the namesake of sandbars, and a staple of Gulf Coast folklore.

In fact, he wasn't even a European. The real "Billy Bowlegs" was a famous Native American chief. So, how did a Seminole warrior become one of the most famous "pirates" in Florida history? billy bowlegs pirate

But here is the plot twist that surprises most people: When you hear the name "Billy Bowlegs," a