A LITTLE BIT OF CUBA JUST DOWN I-4

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NO IT’S NOT MIAMI THAT’S I-95:  If you read regular you know that every week I feature a town in Florida that you might not know about and this week we’re doing Ybor City–which technically isn’t really a TOWN but in fact a small part of Tampa, but Ybor has had a long history

Oh almost forgot

Oooo!

JAMIE–OUTLANDER FIX FOR THE DAY

Ybor City is part of Tampa and yet it always remains a bit apart.
This is a nice summary from the Chamber of Commerce:  “Founded by Vicente Martinez-Ybor as a cigar-manufacturing center, Ybor City today is one of only two National Historic Landmark Districts in Florida.  Red brick buildings, wrought iron balconies and narrow brick streets give it an old-world charm that is a refreshing change of pace from the beach and the mall.”

Visitor Information Center:  1600 E. 8th Ave. Ste. 104B.

In the early 1880s, Tampa was an isolated village with a population of less than 1000 and a struggling economy.  However, its combination of a good port, Henry Plant’s new railroad line, and humid climate attracted the attention of Ybor, a prominent Spanish-born cigar manufacturer.had moved his cigar-making operation from Cuba to Key West…in 1869, due to political turmoil…But, labor unrest and the lack of room for expansion had him looking for another base of operations…”  

Centro Ybor complex with a TECO Line car passing in front

Cigar making was a specialized trade, and Tampa did not possess a workforce able to man the new factories. To attract employees, Ybor built hundreds of small houses for the coming influx of mainly Cuban and Spanish cigar workers, many of whom followed him from Key West and Cuba…. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ybor_City

 

POINTS OF INTEREST

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1.   7th Avenue

Today, a walk down 7th is truly a walk through the history of Ybor City. .. in the 1880s was a melting pot of immigrants from Spain, Cuba, Germany and Italy and home to some of the world’s most famous cigar factories. In the history of Ybor City, most early Ybor City residents made their living from cigar making, while the occupations of many other workers revolved around the cigar trade. Known for its unique collection of mutual-aid societies and multiethnic population, Ybor City remained the Cigar Capitol of the World until the 1930s.   http://www.yborcityonline.com/about-ybor-city/a-brief-history

7th Avenue in Ybor City

2.  COLUMBIA  RESTAURANT                                                                                    2117 East 7th Avenue      http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/ourstory.asp                                                                                Florida’s oldest & the largest Spanish restaurant in the world.  Founded in 1905 by a Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez Sr.  and is today a rambling structure with private rooms and a newly remodeled patio which should open soon., and a large bar.  Food is great.

1940s postcard of the cuban club
3.  THE CUBAN CLUB
2010 Avenida Republica de Cuba
http://thecubanclub.org/
Fire destroyed the first clubhouse in 1916, and soon afterward members initiated plans for its replacement.  The present 4-story, yellow brick building with Neoclassical design elements sits on the original site.   Constructed in 1917, the building contained a 2-story theater, pharmacy, library, ballroom and cantina.  Imported tile, stained glass windows and elaborately carved scraffito spandrells decorated the structure and the ballroom ceiling displayed elaborate murals.  It once housed a gymnasium, complete with lockers, a swimming pool, and two bowling lanes.
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4.  Ybor City Museum State Park
1818 Ninth Avenue
The Ybor City Museum State Park is an urban park and historical museum in the heart of Tampa’s National Historic Landmark District. The park consists of a main exhibit space, housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery building, as well as a lush Mediterranean-style garden and a recreated cigar worker’s house. Enjoy a guided tour through the park … or embark on a walking tour of the Ybor City Historic District to immerse yourself in the unique flavor of the area. However you decide to explore the park, you will experience an urban oasis and learn about the immigrants who settled, lived in and built the thriving community of Ybor City.
ANY YBOR CITY COLLECTIBLES?
1950 s Bering Admiral Cigar Tin

$60.00

Earthenware, Clay, Pottery Jar with YBOR Imprint

$22.50

Pope & Son Tobacconist Havana Cigars Sign

$65.00
AND THE STORE (SEE LISTING ABOVE) OF MY COLLECTABLES THAT BRINGS YOU THIS SIT
A111:  GOLD PNDANT 12" CHAIN AND EARRINGS TRIFARI SIGNED $45.00
Visit during the daytime and you’re sure to be pleased. As a National Historic Landmark District, exploring Ybor City exercises your body and mind. Soak in the eclectic architecture and learn how the buildings were used and who lived there. Experience one of the many festivals held in Ybor City or check out the Ybor City Saturday Market.  http://www.yborcityonline.com/faq/frequently-asked-questions#faq13
(I have heard that the area can be spooky at night and that most of the clubs are for the younger crowd but I have not been there so can’t say…you may want to research that further)
#A132 1" SMALL PIN WITH RHINESTONES CORA SIGNED  $5.00

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