THE THOMS SUNDAY TRAVEL SECTION.
What do you know about Tampa?
It has sun, and you can find a rum punch. But there is much more to it than that.
Depending on traffic, it is just over an hour southwest of Orlando and even closer to the beaches of St Petersburg and Clearwater.
This is a city with exciting history. First Natives, railroads, and cigars all play a part in Tampa’s history.
Tampa has more than 150 historical sites appearing on the National Register of Historic Places (N.R.O.H.P), but Tampa also has a new side.
Visit the Tampa area for its sun and fun, but leave time to see Tampa, the city as well.
Come, let’s visit Tampa.
Visit Tampa Downtown.
Tampa Riverwalk.
This 2.6-mile pedestrian walkway along the Hillsborough River has open spaces and parks. There are also several boat trips you can take departing from here.
Tampa Bay History Center.
The History Center is a museum for kids of all ages. It covers over 12,000 years of local history, from the Tocobaga Indians, conquistadors, pirates, and more. It is on the River Walk.
The Florida Aquarium.
This non-profit organization teaches conservation and educates through exhibits and experiences. There are more than 20,000 sea creatures to see and touch tanks to get up close with some.
TECO Line Streetcar System.
Streetcars were an important part of Tampa from 1892 until 1946 when people began buying automobiles. The streetcars in Tampa began service again in 2003 with replicas of the original cars. Car #163, The Birney, is the only original car on the system.
Florida Avenue.
Tampa City Hall.
This classical “layer cake” building is on the National Register of Historic Places N.R.O.H.P. Dating from 1915, the building still has many original components intact.
Tampa U.S. Courthouse.
Dating from 1905, the Old Federal Courthouse is a Beaux Arts-style building. It will also serve as a United States Post Office, courthouse, and custom house.
Today, this building on the N.R.O.H.P is a Le Meridien Hotel.
Floridan Hotel.
Three blocks further north is this N.R.O.H.P. property dating from 1927. In its heyday, it was the place to stay downtown. After a major renovation, the hotel opens again circa 2012.
Tampa Theatre and Office Building.
A block west of the Le Meridien on Franklin St is this movie palace from 1926. This N.R.O.H.P is now a non-profit organization, hosting first-run and classic films, special events, concerts, and more. They also offer tours.
Tampa Firefighters Museum.
Dating from 1911, the historic structure is the original main headquarters for the Tampa Fire Department. This is when horses are pulling the equipment. The museum covers the Tampa fire department’s history from those early days.
Jackson Rooming House.
Three blocks east of the museum on Zack St is this N.R.O.H.P. dating from 1901. It is one of the only places in Tampa where black travelers could find lodging. Its guest list includes Cab Calloway, Count Basie, James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, and Ray Charles. It makes me sad that Tampa does not embrace this piece of its history.
Tampa Union Station.
Across the street from the rooming house is the 1912 train station. After an extensive restoration, the station reopens in 1998 for Amtrak service. Florida’s new high-speed railroad should be arriving at a platform here circa 2024?
Oaklawn and St. Louis Cemeteries Historic District.
Beginning in 1850, the Oaklawn Cemetary is for rich and poor, whites and slaves alike.
For historians, you may find the markers for many of Tampa’s founding fathers and other officers. For military fans, graves are dating back to the Seminole Wars.
Visit Ybor City.
Civil unrest in Cuba circa 1868 prompts Vicente Martinez Ybor to move his cigar production to Key West Florida. When he outgrows Key West and needs better transportation, he moves his operations to a spot just northeast of Tampa.
About the same time, Sanchez Y Haya moves his cigar plant from Brooklyn to be near Ybor. The perfect (hot) weather for producing cigars, plentiful (cheap) labor, and no import taxes create a winning combination.
Tampa would have more than 150 cigar factories turning out close to 500 million cigars in its heyday. The center of this industry was Ybor City. But eventually, it runs out of space. So it spreads north, south, and west. Tampa is, to this day, the Cigar Capital of the World.
El Pasaje, Cherokee Club.
This red brick structure dates from 1886. It serves as the offices for Vicente Martinez Ybor’s companies. He will plan Ybor City here and later use it as the offices for his cigar factory and other businesses.
The Ybor Factory Building.
At the same time, Ybor builds his factory across the street. It is the first brick cigar factory in Tampa and, at the time, the largest cigar factory in the world.
El Circulo Cubano de Tampa.
Behind the Cherokee Club, The Cuban Club dates from 1917 as a gathering place for Cuban immigrants. At some point, the club will include a theater, bowling alley, pharmacy, ballroom, library, and more.
Centro Ybor Museum.
The museum resides in the former 1923 Ferlita Bakery, the Mediterranean-style garden, and the “casita,” a recreated cigar worker’s house. It is not open daily, so click the link to check their website.
Ybor City’s 7th Avenue.
Now one of the larger and popular entertainment hubs, many of the buildings along 7th Avenue have some tie to the cigar industry.
Columbia Restaurant and Museum.
Dating from 1905, this family-owned restaurant is now on the fifth generation of family members. It is Florida’s oldest restaurant. The original small cafe could hold no more than 60 guests.
In the beginning, they serve Cuban coffee and sandwiches for the cigar workers. Any trip to Tampa should include a stop here. It’s part of your history assignment.
Just Outside Ybor City.
J.C. Newman Cigar Company.
Four blocks north of Ybor is the oldest family-owned premium cigar maker in America, dating from 1895. Inside the building, which is only a few years younger, they still hand-roll cigars.
Ferlita Macaroni Company Building.
Circa 1925, Sicilian Giuseppe Rosario Ferlita opens the Ferlita Macaroni Co. on N. 22nd Street. At first, it is the home and factory of this immigrant from Santo Stefano Quisquina, Sicily. Today, it is home to a Sicilian restaurant.
Corina Cigar Factory.
Dating from 1893 as the Vicente Guerra Cigar company, by 1910, the Jose Escalante and Company were making Corina cigars.
Currently, it is a private office space. Let’s hope Tampa will save the other remaining 24 cigar factories left. Unfortunately, several are in questionable condition.
As you can see, when you visit Tampa, there is a lot to see. Downtown can easily take a day, and Ybor City another. And we are still not done.
Visit Tampa’s Other Sites.
In addition to cigar factories, Tampa has numerous historical districts.
Davis Islands.
Southwest of downtown, this island neighborhood is a wishbook for home lovers. D.P. Davis is responsible for this upscale development, one of the non-shady Florida land deals from the 1920s.
Villa de Leon Apartments (Spanish)
Dating from 1925, this iconic apartment building was part of Davis’s vision. Consisting of 22 units, the building was recently a boutique hotel.
Palace of Florence Apartments.
Dating from 1925. this Mediterranean Revival architecture gives this apartment building the air of an Italian palazzo. The four-story battlement tower is loosely based on Florence, Italy’s Palazzo Vecchio.
Palmerin Hotel.
Dating from 1926, this Moorish-themed hotel is one of the first on the island. Today, it acts as an assisted living facility.
All of these buildings are on the N.R.O.H.P., and you can find them on E. Davis Blvd.
North of Tampa.
Seminole Heights Residential District.
This historic area is predominantly private homes, many in Gothic Revival and American Craftsman bungalows.
William E Curtis House.
Dating from 1906, this Dutch Colonial Revival is one of the first residential structures in Seminole Heights. Curtis, a nurseryman, will be responsible for developing much of Seminole Heights.
Captain William Parker Jackson House.
This farmhouse from 1870 is on the N.R.O.H.P. Many believe it is one of the first homes in the Tampa “wilderness” to have an Anglo-American family.
West Tampa.
Tampa Bay Hotel – Henry B. Plant Museum.
The jewel of the Henry Plant train, steamship, hotel empire is the Tampa Bay Hotel. Just across the river from downtown, it was the winter address for many northerners.
At the cost of $2,500,000 from his own pocket (a lot of money in the 1880s), he builds this palace. With more than 500 rooms, it has the latest amenities, including electricity and telephones, in every guest room.
Today, it is the campus of the University of Tampa.
The grounds would cover 150 acres with golf, tennis courts, boathouse, stables, hunting and fishing grounds, and more.
During the Spanish-American War, Plant convinces the United States military to use the hotel as a base of operations. The soldiers would camp on the grounds. High-ranking officers would have a hotel room. As a colonel, Teddy Roosevelt rates a room. His rough riders, only tents.
The Flagler Museum takes up the southeast wing of the building. It remains as it was in 1930. You can arrange a private tour or explore the museum.
Visit Tampa’s Hyde Park Historic District.
Just south of the hotel is this district with structures dating from 1886-1933. Here you can see Queen Anne, Frame and Masonry Vernacular, English Romantic Revival, Classical Revival, Bungalow, and more.
T.C. Taliaferro House.
Dating from 1890, this historic home on S Hyde Park is in the Classical Revival style. Once the home of a prominent banker, today, it is a center for women.
Anderson–Frank House.
Dating from 1901, this N.R.O.H.P. house is Colonial Revival with a little Queen Ann-style architecture. Originally the home of a banker, today, it is an event space.
Hutchinson House.
Two blocks from the Anderson-Frank house, also on S Plant Avenue, is this Second Empire masterpiece dating from 1908. Currently, it houses a law office.
Visit Tampa Summary.
As you can see, Tampa is more than sunshine and sand.
You could spend a day just exploring cigar factories before seeing Ybor.
Downtown has numerous award-winning museums and architecture.
Tampa has an abundance of historic districts, each one worth your time.
And then there’s the cuisine. Spanish, Cuban, Italian, and more all coming together with a Florida twist.
Come, it’s time to visit Tampa. It’s a great city.
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