Centro Español de Tampa

Chartered on September 7, 1891, El Centro Español was the first Latin club organized in Ybor City. As a mutual aid society, it provided early Spanish immigrants with a framework by which they maintained their identity and culture while supplying ...

Tampa's Oldest Restaurant

1890

Las Novedades was founded on this site when Ybor Citywas a tiny village. Its proprietor was Manuel (Canuto) Menendez. The coffee shop was a favorite rendezvous for the pioneer cigarmakers of Sanchez y Haya Cigar Factory located across the street. ...

Founding of the Cigar Industry in Tampa

In 1886 two cigar factories were completed at Tampa signaling the founding of the industry in the area. Pioneer manufacturer was Vincente Martinez Ybor, a native of Spain, who had made cigars at Havana and Key West. Ybor's move to ...

Tampa Bay Hotel

On June 14, 1898, Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt

and the First United States Volunteer Cavalry,

known as the Rough Riders, embarked from Port

Tampa for victory in the Spanish-American War.

The Tampa Bay Hotel was used as headquarters

for general officers who ...

Tampa Bay Hotel, 1891

The University of Tampa, 1933

This former grand old resort hotel, a seat of

culture and education, has been the proud

symbol of Tampa since 1891. Erected by The

University of Tampa Class of 1991, on the

occasion of the ...

Tampa Bay Hotel

Henry B. Plant built this ornate Moorish structure at a cost of $3 million. Opened in 1891, it became the social and cultural center of early Tampa. During the Spanish American War it was headquarters for troops going to Cuba ...