A little while back I featured the city I live in now, New York, but let me take you all for a stroll on down to Tampa, where my heart will always be. Tampa is a city of rich history and culture. Growing up I heard stories of the cigar factory where my Grandmother worked, the streetcar my Dad rode to the other side of town to meet my Mom. My Dad lived in West Tampa, a predominently Spanish area, my Mom lived in Sulphur Springs or North Tampa, where few Spanish people even dared to visit back then. There was just an unwritten rule that Spanish boys would date only Spanish girls, thank God my Dad never liked rules. Like Father like Daughter. Here is my home town, I hope you enjoy the stroll..... The 16th Century was the the first time Europeans explored, what is now known today as, Hillsborough County. Spanish conquistadors, Panfilo de Narvaez and Hernando DeSoto, came in search of gold. What they did find were the Tocobagan Indians. Many battles were fought and finally, it took its toll on Panfilo de Narvaez. Hernando DeSoto extensively explored the region and met with resistance from the Seminole Indians. The Americans took possession of Hillsborough County in 1821. Fort Brooke, being a central point of the area, evolved into Tampa. Much trading went on in the area and, soon, Tampa became one of the largest cities in Tampa Bay. It's a wonder it even existed considering there were two Seminole wars, A Civil War, plagues and many hurricanes. ( still too many hurricanes!) When the railroad passed through the county in 1885, Spanish and Cuban cigar workers moved their families and businesses toTampa. This was the start of one of the largest industries in the area. Tampa has long been renowned for its cigar industry. The people, their neighborhoods, their workplaces and social clubs, as well as the factories that so many cigar aficionados recognize, are all a part of the area's rich history. Ybor City and West Tampa have come a long way since Sanchez and Haya craftsmen rolled their first cigar in 1886. Cigarmakers constituted a special breed, and the workers inherited a special ethos. In 1898, The American Army was highly involved in the Spanish-American War. Led by Teddy Roosevelt, what was know as "The Rough Riders" passed through Tampa on their way to invade Cuba. Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders calvary unit were stationed in Tampa during the Spanish-American War, 1898. You could almost say it was a grand little war ? popular, and its outcome very advantageous to the United States and Florida; the fighting in Cuba lasted just ten weeks. In the Spring of 1898, Tampa and the Tampa Bay area served as a main staging grounds and embarkation point for the American military forces invading Cuba. 30,000 troops changed Tampa forever ? Tampa became a "big city" practically overnight. Hillsborough County started to grow, rapidly in population and industry. Foreigners and tourists started to visit the county on a regular basis. The counties's resources, primarily made up of cigars, cattle, citrus, and phosphate fertilizer started being widely distributed. When the "Roaring "20's" came along, Tampa became a boom town and ended up crashing, like the rest of Florida. Davis Island, in Tampa, still shows signs of that period. Tampa had a very stable economy during that period and were better able to handle the crash. Tampa achieved a rapid recovery. Some notables from Tampa: Al Lopez Hulk Hogan Joe Lala Mike Pinera Steven Stills Lauren Hutton We have another staff member from Tampa, Jacki, and several members too, I would like to dedicate this to them and to a town that has much to be proud of... Tampa Florida Flor D'luna (Moon Flower) Until we meet at Christmas.. Enjoy the scenery while you're "Strolling" If you'd like to return to the Main Page, Just click below. Thank You Pam for the TFF Animation!! Taggin' For Fun Information & FUN I'd Love To Join Taggin' For Fun My Compliments to Candy on Tampa Do A Stroll About..... I Have A Question or Concern Learn More About Taggin' For Fun
A little while back I featured the city I live in now, New York, but let me take you all for a stroll on down to Tampa, where my heart will always be. Tampa is a city of rich history and culture. Growing up I heard stories of the cigar factory where my Grandmother worked, the streetcar my Dad rode to the other side of town to meet my Mom.
Here is my home town, I hope you enjoy the stroll.....
Tampa has long been renowned for its cigar industry. The people, their neighborhoods, their workplaces and social clubs, as well as the factories that so many cigar aficionados recognize, are all a part of the area's rich history.
Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders calvary unit were stationed in Tampa during the Spanish-American War, 1898. You could almost say it was a grand little war ? popular, and its outcome very advantageous to the United States and Florida; the fighting in Cuba lasted just ten weeks. In the Spring of 1898, Tampa and the Tampa Bay area served as a main staging grounds and embarkation point for the American military forces invading Cuba. 30,000 troops changed Tampa forever ? Tampa became a "big city" practically overnight.
Some notables from Tampa:
We have another staff member from Tampa, Jacki, and several members too, I would like to dedicate this to them and to a town that has much to be proud of...
Until we meet at Christmas..
If you'd like to return to the Main Page, Just click below.
Taggin' For Fun Information & FUN
I'd Love To Join Taggin' For Fun My Compliments to Candy on Tampa Do A Stroll About..... I Have A Question or Concern Learn More About Taggin' For Fun
