Here's what's NEW at TampaPix.com Scroll down or click to see links for all pages

Tampa Pix is on Facebook as of 8/3/2013 - News about updates to existing pages and new features will be announced there. Links to new features here at TampaPix.com will continue to be added to the list of links to features here. Read about what's new at TampaPix.com and what's in the works by visiting Tampa Pix on Facebook. Comment about existing features and photos. Tampa Pix on Facebook is a place where you can learn more about the people, places and photos featured here at the TampaPix.com website and express your thoughts. Tampa Pix on Facebook

Join in with other Tampa natives and residents, past and present, to reminisce about days gone by and share old photos. Do you remember Tampa, the way it used to be? Join our Facebook group "Save Fairyland" and share your memories of Fairyland at Lowry Park! We have the best collection of Fairyland, Safety Village and Fantasia Golf photos on the web! Are you SICK AND TIRED of the abuse the name of our fair city takes because the news media and the tourist industry insists on calling our home town "Tampa Bay?" Are you going to put up with this any longer? Like us on Facebook and join in the fun. Visit We Are TAMPA, not Tampa BAY

WHY ALL THE FUSS? GO THERE AND FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF. YOU CAN STILL GO TO THE OLD PLACE--BUT ONLY HERE AT TAMPAPIX.COM NEW AT TAMPAPIX!

July 22, 2018 The late Kyle S. VanLandingham, noted biographer of James T. Magbee, wrote:



Magbee’s alcoholism and his role in Radical Reconstruction made him an easy target. D. B. McKay once described him as probably the most widely and intensely hated man who ever lived in Tampa. Before Tampa's beautiful Waterworks Park and Ulele Spring was so named, it was known in Tampa as "the Magbee Spring" because much of that area belonged to James T. Magbee.

Don't miss this MEGA-FEATURE over a year in the making! THE signature event of Magbee's life is probably his passing out drunk on the sandy streets of Tampa, being covered with molasses and corn by his enemies, and having his clothes ripped off by the roaming hogs that feasted on the sweet mixture.



BUT DID THAT REALLY HAPPEN? Or maybe you've heard of his preposterous yet ingenious "Habeas Corpus stunt" when His Honor was jailed again for drunk & disorderly conduct. He issued a Writ of Habeas Corpus demanding the body of James T. Magbee be produced before his Hon. James T. Magbee. He had it served on sheriff Deshong and mayor Lipscomb who could do nothing but release him from jail. DID THAT REALLY HAPPEN? Or perhaps you've heard of the infamous "Courtroom Shotgun Incident" during the following Spring term of the Court in 1874. In order to exact revenge on the mayor, Magbee had mayor Lipscomb and the marshal O. H. Dishong arrested and charged with contempt of court and on hearing day, as the mayor approached the bench, he produced a shotgun and shouting out "If I'm going to jail it will be for blowing out your infernal brains, you old scoundrel!" he fired at Magbee. But a split second intervention by a bystander who pushed the weapon upward caused the shot to fire into the ceiling. Where did the shotgun come from? DID THAT REALLY HAPPEN? In the context of the life of James T. Magbee are the events that shaped Tampa, from its beginnings at Fort Brooke in the late 1840s to the decade of the 1890s which spring-boarded Tampa into the 20th Century. The Civil War as it played out in Tampa, the growth of Tampa from a village to a city, and the events that eventually made the coming of the railroad to Tampa possible, all in this feature. Also included are extra features: The life of Tampa's Civil War blockade-running hero, James McKay, Sr. and his involvement in the Civil War, as well as his confrontations with Magbee. Learn the history of Tampa straight from James Sr.'s son, James McKay, Jr., and D. B. McKay, grandson, who lived during those times and knew Magbee personally. Compare and contrast how they and some of Tampa's most notable historians describe the same events differently and draw your own conclusions! ALL HERE AT THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JAMES T. MAGBEE.

2017-July 20 The Fairyland storybook & nursery rhyme figures have begun to be displayed in their beautiful new home at the Ulele Restaurant by Tampa's Riverwalk and the Ulele Spring!

See Page 6 of Saving Fairyland to stay updated as more figures are added! 2017-April 16 - It's here! The new feature "Saving Fairyland" has been added to TampaPix.com, along with another new feature, "Herman, King of the Zoo." Saving Fairyland! is a chronological history of our campaign from its inception, covering the discovery of the storybook character figures by Mario Nuñez, the campaign to rescue them, their acquisition, and restoration. It will be an ongoing feature covering the restoration progress and any related stories, on through the ultimate accomplishment--their display for all to enjoy!



Save Fairyland! is a local effort of concerned Tampa natives and friends who worked to retrieve, restore and relocate the beloved storybook characters of Fairyland which were formerly located at Lowry Park. Saving Fairyland! Lowry Park/Fairyland History Herman, King of the Zoo Safety Village Fantasia Golf

New for December 2016

NEW FEATURE - F84 fighter jet crash near MacDill AFB, Jan. 24, 1963

UPDATED - Fairyland at Lowry Park - photo of the LIVE Three Little Pigs 1958 attraction and seal pool 1965 have been added.

UPDATED - Al Lopez Park and Field - photo of Al Lopez in his boat 1961 and Reds Land concept sketch at Al Lopez field 1968.

UPDATED - Tampa International Airport history - photo of 1952 dedication ceremony with Eddie Rickenbacker added.

UPDATED - George Gandy and his Bridge - photo added showing original span and Tampa city limit sign, 1953.

UPDATED - Howard Frankland, the Man and the Bridge - photo added showing ca. 1962 bridge without safety divider wall

between opposing lanes of traffic.

UPDATED - Tampa Stadium history - photo added showing stadium construction with St. Joseph's hospital in background, 1967.

UPDATED - Tampa Bay Center Mall - photo added showing the glass elevator, 1976.





Nov. 12, 2016 - Ft. Homer Hesterly Armory at TampaPix.com has been improved and updated with larger versions of existing photos and new photos added, including more old Burgert Bros & Robertson & Fresh photos, as well as photos showing progress on the renovation as the Bryan Glaser Family Jewish Community Center. Nov. 12, 2016 - Ft. Homer Hesterly Armory at TampaPix.com has been improved and updated with larger versions of existing photos and new photos added, including more old Burgert Bros & Robertson & Fresh photos, as well as photos showing progress on the renovation as the Bryan Glaser Family Jewish Community Center. See it at Ft. Homer Hesterly Armory History

CLARA BARTON UPDATE Oct. 9, 2016 UPDATE - Page 2 - Clara Barton and the Spanish American War feature at TampaPix.com has been updated with newly found information about another trip she made through Tampa. See where she stayed this time! Also, more images have been added, including some of her journal, and various other images such as a map of Cuba showing her early travels there, an image of the telegram the captain of the USS Maine sent to the secretary of the Navy the night the Maine exploded, and various interesting newspaper clippings from Clara's scrapbooks. May 3, 2016 Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross Did you know? Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, was in Tampa several times in 1898 during the Spanish American War and was on board the USS Maine just two days before it exploded in Havana Harbor. Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross



NEW! TAMPAPIX EXCLUSIVE!

at " THE EIGHT HOMES OF HILLSBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL" - Jun. 4, 2016 Up until June of 1949, the HHS clock tower had no clock. By spring of 1949, HHS students and alumni had collected enough funds to purchase one and dedicate it in honor of Hillsborough's veteran casualties of World War II. The 139 names of Hillsborough High alumni who were killed in action during the war were placed on a plaque inside the tower. A dedication ceremony was held sixty-seven years ago, yesterday, June 3, 1949. Now see an 8mm movie and original program from the dedication ceremony!

NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED, this rare home movie footage of the dedication ceremony was recently found by HHS Alumni Association Board Member Jeannette Harper Noble in the attic of her parents' Ybor City home. She has graciously shared it with us so that generations of Big Red alumni and friends can enjoy it. Also see an original program from the ceremony, in mint condition, provided by Charles Harkness, President of the Hillsborough High School Alumni Association. Scans provided by Rex Gordon, Hilsborean Historian. ALL HERE:

The 8th Location of Hillsborough High School - Central Avenue - 1949 Clock & Plaque Dedication Ceremony

NEW at "Did you Know?" May 24, 2016 "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, drag racing legend, is a Tampa Native and Class of 1950 Hillsborough High School graduate. His father was a Westinghouse engineer credited with designing the first electric iron and later was a pioneer in health food before it was "in." His mother was Tampa's "Orchid Lady," a founder of the Tampa Orchid Society. Read about Don's legendary accomplishments and his roots, here at this new feature at TampaPix.com. "Big Daddy" Don Garlits - Tampa Native



NEW! The history of Goody Goody during the Stayer years (1929-1980) has been updated with family photos and stories provided by Glenda Stayer Wood, granddaughter of William "Papa" Bechtel Stayer. Read about the circumstances that led up to William B. Stayer buying Goody Goody from Ralph Stephens, Goody Goody feeding the Cincinnati Reds, Goody Goody's MLB manager, Carl Stayer's advertising campaign, memories of Goody Goody by Stayer's children and grandchildren, and more! A larger version of the Goody Goody Dining room in 1941 has been added, along with close up portions of various parts of the photo. Also, don't miss this wonderful photo of the "Goody Goody Girls" in the mid 1940s provided by E. Marie DeArmas Barnhill. It may be gone, but you can still visit it here at TampaPix!

Jan. 25, 2015 GOODY GOODY IS COMING BACK! REVIVED BY RICHARD GONZMART AND HIS COLUMBIA RESTAURANT GROUP!



STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS AT

GOODY GOODY ON FACEBOOK.





CHARLES E. CUSHING WW II MEMORABILIA COLLECTION New content has been added to The World War II collection of Lt. Charles E. Cushing

Feb 9, 2015. Club & I.D. cards, photos, dog tags, leather pilot's helmet, officer's cap, foreign currency, and handbook "Fighting on Guadalcanal."



Pittsburgh native Charles Edward "Bud" Cushing served in the U.S. Army Air Force as a B-17 bomber pilot. After his training, he was stationed at MacDill Field, Tampa, from Dec. 1943 through March, 1944. Afterward, he flew on 35 bombing sorties into enemy occupied territory in Germany and France from Thurleigh Air Field, England, from June 1943 through Jan. 1945, as a 2nd Lt./co-pilot, and 1st Lt./pilot in the 8th AAF, 1st Div., 306th Bomb Group, 367 Squadron "The Clay Pigeons."

Special thanks to Barbara Cushing Mistretta, Mr. Cushing's daughter, and Ed Page, Mr. Cushing's nephew, for providing the records and items for this feature. It contains numerous items such as medals, awards, pins, buttons, objects, magazines, personal photos, and documents. Many photos were taken during actual bombing missions. See the collection here at TampaPix.

The photo montage above was created from images submitted to the Tampa Natives Facebook page by fans and admins or are topics of discussion. Mouse over each image or click it to see more. TampaPix.com is proud to team up with the Tampa Natives on Facebook to bring you a list of photos & discussion topics located on that site. See over 2,000 photos and over 350 discussion topics posted by fans & members, listed on this searchable index! The index provides easy and direct link access to each photo and discussion topic, as well as the photo caption and comments posted by our fans.

Tampa Natives Photo and Discussion Index at TampaPix



B rowse and search an index of photos posted by members of the "West Tampa, A Pictorial Walk Down Memory Lane"

Facebook group! Each description is a link to the photo on the FB page. See it here at TampaPix



It's been 11 years since Macfarlane Park was added to TampaPix. Visit again to see the improved feature with much larger versions of the Jan. 2004 photos, and some that weren't previously used. Historic photos of the original pavilion and the ceremony in 1924 for the dedication of the current one have also been added, as well as a corrected history of the park and the current pavilion. Larger versions of the Guida house photos have also been added, as well as five beautiful photos of George "Mr. West Tampa" Guida and his family provided by Marilyn Favata Messina. Portraits of George as a young boy with his parents and sisters to photos of him with his wife, children, and grandchildren. And finally, experience Tampa's own Mike Baluja's new music video, a tribute to Macfarlane Park, featuring a song he composed and performs. Mike is the composer and performer of the Tampa Natives Show opening and closing theme--the TampaPix theme music you hear on this page, "I Remember Tampa." All here at TampaPix

I PICKED A FINE TIME TO LEAVE YOU LUCILLE...

Who was Lucille Zehring, where was she from, and where did she go?



She was the last person to see Davis Islands developer D. P. Davis alive, before he disappeared through a porthole of the R.M.S Majestic in the Atlantic Ocean on the way to the French Riviera on Oct. 12, 1926. Described as a "former Mack Sennett Bathing Beauty", she told her version of the story to the authorities on how Davis came to fall into the ocean. This on-again off-again mistress of D.P. Davis later revealed Davis' letters to her before that fateful night, adding more mystery to the mystery. Read more about her, and how she became a Duchess, at the updated feature here at TampaPix, Stories and Theories on the Disappearance of D. P. Davis; Who Was Lucille Zehring? Oct. 2, 2013



THE EIGHT HOMES OF HILLSBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL

From its start in 1882 on Franklin Street north of the county courthouse, to the present magnificent location on Central Avenue which opened in 1928, HHS has occupied eight locations. The history of Hillsborough High School at TampaPix has been updated with more detailed information about the school's locations, including a history of its first 6 locations from 1882 to 1911, found in cornerstone of the school's 7th home, maps, and the people that helped make it what it is today. Here at TampaPix. Sept. 2013 THE 1st THOMAS JEFFERSON JR. & HIGH & GEORGE WASHINGTON JR. HIGH

When Hillsborough High moved out of their 7th home, a structure built in 1911 on Highland Avenue, Jefferson moved in. After Jefferson closed, George Washington Jr. High moved in. This new page at TampaPix features photos and info about those years, including Jefferson's first principal, D. W. Waters. Here at TampaPix. Sept. 2013 THE D. W. WATERS CAREER CENTER

When George Washington Jr. High on Highland Avenue closed, the building was later named the D. W. Waters Career Center in the mid 1990s, through the efforts of the Jefferson High School Alumni Association. The Association also spearheaded a campaign that led to a $14 million renovation to restore the dilapidated old building to its original pristine beauty and put the building on the National Historic Register. This new feature at TampaPix spotlights the Association's efforts, and this historic Tampa gem, with photos and info about this beautiful building. Here at TampaPix. Sept. 2013 THE JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI MUSEUM

Again, through the efforts of the Jefferson High School Alumni Association along with generous alumni donors, a museum was established in the D. W. Waters Career Center to preserve Jefferson's history. This new page at TampaPix features photos and information about the museum, and honors Tampa native Rick Casares , a class of 1950 Jefferson High graduate. Casares was an outstanding, multi-talented athlete who went on to success with the Florida Gators and the Chicago Bears of the NFL, setting numerous records with the Bears as a fullback. Here at TampaPix . Sept. 2013

A NEW photo has been added 8/3/2013

International Bank employees enjoying yellow rice & chicken dinner , c.1942



Formerly the great competitor to the Columbia Restaurant in the 40s, 50s and 60s, Las Novedades Restaurant's ownership history had connections to the Columbia, along with family ties to another great Tampa restaurant--Spanish Park. At Las Novedades, Chef Jose Martinez and his Pompano Papillote set a standard of excellence. Visit Las Novedades

TWO new features at TampaPix! July 26, 2013 When Ralph Stephens first went into the restaurant business in Oklahoma City in 1921, he set in motion a chain of events that would lead to the creation of restaurants in Missouri, Florida, Ohio, Oklahoma, and California, for the Stephens and Reid families and those who followed them. These famous restaurants, Goody-Goody and Dolores, were independent operations that shared some common roots, traditions, and menu items. To those who patronized them, these names still evoke memories of delicious food--a delicious hamburger with secret sauce, and homemade pies--and happy times. "The Goody-Goody Family Tree" is a multimedia feature that gives a history of the Stephens and Reid families and their restaurant ventures in three states. Read about the origin of the famous Goody-Goody Secret Sauce, the recipe of which remained a closely-guarded proprietary secret for all the years it was used in Tampa, and was true to the original 1925 recipe to the final day of the Tampa Goody-Goody. Also, now you can go "behind the scenes" at the downtown Tampa Goody-Goody! See a layout of the restaurant as it appeared in its final years, along with a history of how the building evolved over the years, at "Behind the Scenes at Goody-Goody, Tampa." Goody-Goody Family Tree Behind the Scenes at Goody-Goody, Tampa



The Burgerts were a family of photographers who moved to Florida from Ohio in the 1880s and established a remarkable record in various phases of the photography business, primarily in Tampa. They were six sons and one daughter-in-law of the original photographic progenitor of the family, Samuel Burgert. Three generations of Burgert photographers worked productively from around the 1860s until the 1960s and at various times took, sold or marketed supplies for hundreds of thousands of photographic images. In the process, they coincidentally documented Tampa's development from a little more than a scrubby port village to a major urban center of international importance.

NEW! A larger, higher resolution version of all the brothers together in Plant Park, July, 1911, has replaced the smaller image. Sept. 1, 2012. Photo courtesy of JoAn Bednarek Rodriquez. This feature has been updated extensively with an in-depth look at the Burgert family members themselves, including exclusive photos of the Burgerts provided by Burgert descendants Diane Heflin Dowling and Harold "Hal" Chesney Burgert, III, great grandchildren of Samuel P. Burgert. Also, many more of the Burgert's photos have been added, thanks to the efforts of the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library, the University of South Florida Digital Collections, the University of Florida Digital Collections, The State of Florida Memory Project, LIFE Magazine, and other sources. April 4, 2013

The Burgert Brothers at TampaPix

Gunn Highway was built with convict labor and completed in 1925 from Tampa through Odessa and Elfers to New Port Richey. The road was maintained by the people who lived along it and was considered to be one of the finest roads in the state at the time.



Read about John Thomas Gunn, the Englishman for whom this highway was named, here at Tampapix "What's in a Name." 10-28-2012



Photos have been added to Downtown at Tampapix, including a porcelain plate depicting the iconic "Tampa" mural at Florida Ave. and Royal St., along with a photo of the same building in 1957 and one of the artist, Carl Cowden, III.

10-19-2012 Visit Downtown 1

What does U.S. Army Brigadier General William H. Bisbee have to do with legendary pirate José Gaspar? They both had a three-masted schooner named after them, in fact, the same ship. The schooner William Bisbee was built in 1902 in Maine, and after over 30 years of service as a cargo ship in the Atlantic, she was sold in 1936 to a Tampa freight broker in the interest of the Gasparilla Festival. Read about the José Gaspar's previous life as the William Bisbee, and see images of the Bisbee, and a beautiful photo of her as she sailed up the Hillsborough River in 1938. NEW: Four photos of the Bisbee in drydock in Tampa, in preparation to become the Jose Gaspar, have been added. A large photo of the C.H. Hackley, a schooner used as the Gaspar in the early 1920s, has also been added. 10/10/2012

A correction has been made to the photo caption describing the bronze sculpture of a manatee and its calf at the Lowry Park Zoo. The feature had incorrectly identified the artist. Read about the correct artist here. 10/9/2012

Read about the history of Lowry Park Zoo and see many old photos here.

The Favata family heritage dates back to the family’s olive farms in Sicily in the 1800s. They immigrated to America at the turn of the 20th century and like many other Italian families, headed to the fast-growing port city of Tampa where a prosperous future awaited them. Giuseppe (Joe) "Pepito" Favata dreamed of having his own market and raising a family in America. Read about Joe, his family, and his dream come true, at Joe & Son Food Market , here at Tampapix. 9/26/2012

Photo added to Tampa Stadium history - A rare view of the stadium before the end zones were closed in - Tampa Stadium from across Himes, early 70s 9/18/2012

T ampa Stadium was the bay area's first large football facility. With an initial seating capacity of 46,477, it was built for the University of Tampa Spartans football team with an eye towards a potential NFL expansion team in the future. It was host to numerous pro football exhibition games in the late 60s and early 70s. B Read about Plant Field, Phillips Field, Tampa Stadium and the teams that played there, all here at Tampa Stadium.

Every day, thousands of motorists travel Adamo Drive, a busy 7-mile stretch of State Road 60 between downtown Tampa and South Falkenburg Road in Brandon. Few remember for whom the street was named; even fewer pronounce the name ah-DAHM-o, as Dr. Adamo would have. A World War II prisoner of war hailed by Life Magazine as "Bataan's medical hero," he earned a huge welcome when he finally came home in 1945. Tampa celebrated Frank Adamo Day with a parade and the renaming of 1st Ave. in Ybor City in his honor. Adamo's courage and sacrifice as a prison-camp physician, and the many lives he saved with his innovative treatment for gangrene, earned him a Legion of Merit medal. See the newly edited article, including an exclusive portrait of Dr. Adamo, here at Tampapix.

The "Roaring Twenties" brought Florida a land boom, prosperity, and an invasion of new kind of pioneer. Facilitated by affordable automobiles and improved roads, the invasion consisted of tourists from the North and Midwest, in the form of "Tin Can Tourists." Read about the Tin Can Tourists of the World club, founded in 1919 in Tampa's De Soto Park, and about Tampa's Municipal Trailer Park, built in 1938 on the west bank of the Hillsborough River just south of Columbus Drive, to lure the Tin canners back to Tampa for their winter conventions. All here at Tampa's Tin Can Tourists.

Tampa Mayor Perry G. Wall, II, was born to a distinguished Florida pioneer family in 1867 near Brooksville, FL. In 1884 he established a hardware business in Tampa with his brother-in-law, Henry Laurens Knight. Knight & Wall would become one of Tampa's most prominent and enduring businesses, lasting for nearly 80 years. Family members became prominent Tampa businessmen, mayors, judges, state representatives, a distinguished doctor and an infamous underworld figure. Read about K&W here at TampaPix

The Lafayette Street Bridge

Did you know? Three bridges were built across the

Hillsborough River at what is now Kennedy Blvd.



Read how these three bridges tell the story of the growing pains of the

city of Tampa and the events of the times, including Tampa during reconstruction

after the Civil War, ferries across the river, the influence of H.B. Plant's railroad and Tampa Bay Hotel, Tibbets Corner, the McKay family of Tampa, the oldest house in existence in Tampa; the Stringer/Stalnaker house, the history of Ballast Point, the role of Tampa Electric Co. in the bridge development, Tampa during the Spanish-American War of 1898, Tampa civic leader Robert Mugge, the temporary bridge built at Jackson Street., and the Kennedy Blvd. bridge today. All here at TampaPix!

Read about Tampa from the onset of the Great Depression in 1929, Tampa's recovery and involvement in World War II through the 1940s, Tampa's Hollywood actress Mary Hatcher, Warner Bros. filming of their movie "Air Force" at Drew Field, and a page you just can't refuse...the darker side of Tampa--from the Prohibition years to organized crime of the 1940s. Turn on your speakers and get ready to swing! All at Tampa in the 1940s

Did You Know? Tampa's international airport had its beginnings at Drew Field. In the 1920s, a dreary damp marshy land with stretches of sand covered over with a sparse growth of palmetto scrub was purchased from John H. Drew by the city as an air field. The Federal government turned it into a military base in 1941. In 1946 it became the site of Tampa's municipal airport and in 1950, Tampa International Airport. Then in 1952, a brand new terminal was built on the south side of the east-west runway.

Read about the history of Drew Field and Tampa's first airport, along with wartime images of Drew Field's weekly newspaper, "Drew Field Echoes". See the very first issue, the 1-year anniversary issue, and rarely seen photos from the Christmas 1942 issue featuring photo montages of war-era Tampa, life at Drew and MacDill Fields, including commanding officers, and the top brass of the 3rd Air Force Headquarters. Also photos of Tampa's gleaming new international airport terminal in 1952. All this at Drew Field Echoes

The First Scheduled Airline Passenger Service, Jan 1, 1914 Photos have been added, as well as a link to an audio recording, of President John F. Kennedy's speech and visit to Tampa in 1963, when he appeared at Al Lopez Field to commemorate the 50th anniversary of this historic flight. Here at TampaPix Read all about Tony Jannus (he was no rookie when he made his flight), his brother Roger, P.E. Fansler, the driving force behind the airline, Abram Pheil, the first passenger and the cost of his ticket, Tom Benoist, owner of the company who built the airboat, and many others involved. JFK photo by Tony Zappone

In Tampa, the term "Roaring 20s" took on literal meaning when on Oct. 25, 1921, a major hurricane swept through the Tampa Bay area causing major destruction from storm surge. Known as the "Tarpon Springs Hurricane", it caused major property damage and the loss of 8 lives. 2011 marks the 90th anniversary of this disaster, and though the area has changed dramatically in terms of population and development, it still remains just as vulnerable. Read about this historic storm and see photos of the damage here at TampaPix.

Eight new photos featuring Mirabella's chef Rudy Romero have been added to Mirabella's at TampaPix! The photos were provided by Mr. Romero's daughter, Sandra Romero Deck. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the fame of Tampa Bay as a great fishing ground and the coming of many Italians, attracted fishermen who soon made Tampa a major Italian fishing community. Their names are well known to Tampans today: Mirabella, Felicione, Matassini, Boromei, La Bruzza and Agliano. Many of them went into the seafood restaurant business with much success.

NEW - A mall directory showing a list of all the businesses in the mall around 1998 has been added! Opened in August of 1976, the Tampa Bay Center mall was Tampa's unique shopping experience. With its interior bathed in sunlight, a glass elevator and teeming with live trees, it was Tampa's first 2-level mall. Read about Tampa Bay Center mall, see photos and video, all here at Tampa Bay Center Mall

W HAT'S IN A NAME?

Brorein Street and the bridge downtown were named for one of Tampa's outstanding businessmen and citizens who, among holding many leading civic and business positions, served as president of Tampa's Peninsular Telephone Company. Peninsular was founded by his uncle in 1901, who was also one of Tampa's most popular, successful and outstanding businessmen and citizens. Read about the Broreins, their contribution to the early development of Tampa's telephone system, and the Peninsular Telephone Company, here at the new TampaPix feature , What's In A Name - Brorein .

In 1985, President Gerald Ford hit a golf ball across Garrison Channel in Tampa. But why?He also was on board the inaugural ride of the Harbour Island People Mover , an automated guideway transit service that carried visitors between downtown Tampa and Harbour Island across the Garrison Channel from 1985 to 1999. Read about the People Mover, the birth of Harbour Island, and the early history of the Hillsborough Bay grassy islands that became Seddon Island and later, Harbour Island.

All here at TampaPix

A NEW page has been added to Downtown at TampaPix

Downtown as seen from Plant Park, University of Tampa

Two photos have been added to Maas Brothers History at TampaPix. A family portrait of Henrietta Maas Waterman, sister of Abe & Isaac Maas, which shows her husband and children, including son Jerome Waterman. Also a photo of Jerome in 1965. Solomon and Jacob Maas came to the US from Germany in 1870 and opened a general store in Cochran, Georgia. They were soon joined by brothers Abraham, Isaac and Julius in the business. In the 1880s, the brothers went their own ways. Abe came to Tampa and opened his dry goods Palace on Franklin St. in 1886. He was soon joined by Isaac, and together they became "Maas Brothers".

See Maas Brothers History

The Final Battle For Fort Brooke The final battle for Fort Brooke lasted over 20 years, but it was not fought with cannon, gun or sword. It was fought with mightier weapons--the pen, the word, capital and the law. When Tampa found out that the military was about to abandon Fort Brooke, in late 1882 many Tampans desired that this land should not be developed for commerce or industry, but instead set aside as a public park for its great natural beauty. Read about the plan that Tampa citizens came up with to gain title to the land, and the legal battles that ensued. Learn about the players, the plan, the fort and the land, and see many photos related to the fort, including two cannon from the fort placed in Plant Park,

here at TampaPix.

The Cinchett Neon Sign company operated in Tampa for 50 years. New at TampaPix--Read about Frank & John F. Cinchett's legacy in Tampa and see 2 newly discovered photos of John F. Cinchett's last neon sign which is still around today. NEW: See an amazing video showing color footage shot by Frank Cinchett, showing dozens of their signs in action at night!

Tampa in the 1950s, in LIVING C O L O R with the sounds of the 50s!



See some beautiful color photos of Tampa scenes in the mid to late 1950s, scanned from color slides. Scenes include Franklin Street ablaze in neon, two night views of Ayres Diner in Seminole Heights, the US Navy submarine SS Spikefish on display at the Port of Tampa, the SS Ybor sailing down Ybor Channel, the Gandy Bridge, and Fairyland at Lowry Park. All photos courtesy of Tampa native Yvonne Colado. See it here

Attention TampaPix visitors:

Your assistance is requested in identifying the students in a photo of the Helen Hill School kindergarten class, taken May 31, 1951.

See the full size photo here or click on the photo at right.

Fernando Figueredo was a hero of Cuba's Ten Years' War, a Florida State Representative and leader of the Cuban Revolutionary Party BEFORE becoming the first mayor of West Tampa in 1895. Figueredo was married THREE times, each time to the same woman, and is honored on 3 postage stamps.

The order to start the revolution in Cuba against Spain in 1895 was hidden in a cigar made in West Tampa, carried on the H.B. Plant steamer "Mascotte" to Key West, and from there smuggled in to Cuba and the leaders of the revolution by the hands and mouth of no less than 3 different men.

The O'Halloran Bros. cigar factory sat in a square right in the middle of present-day Howard Avenue between Main St. and Union St. in 1895. All these facts are closely tied together...Read the amazing story of "The Cigar That Sparked a Revolution"

In the 1940s, Ybor City's Cuscaden Park was THE place to go on a Sunday afternoon or Thursday evening to catch a baseball game between teams of the Inter-Social league. The result of one of Roosevelt's WPA projects in Tampa, Cuscaden was home field for many baseball players from Tampa who went on to the major leagues. For many West Tampa and Ybor City youths, the public pool at Cuscaden was where they first learned to swim. Boxing on Florida's west coast had its revival at the Cuscaden boxing arena in the 40s. The park was the focus of athletic social interaction during the war years, and served as a respite from the solemn news that WW2 brought to the forefront in those days. Read about the ballpark, pool, Arthur W. Cuscaden, the events and event-makers of Ybor's Cuscaden Park



JOSEPH ROBLES - The Robles are an old and important family in the history of Tampa beginning with Joseph Robles, an immigrant from Madrid, Spain who came to the United States in the nineteenth century. Robles was born in 1817 and migrated as a stowaway at the age of 15 from his native Spain. He is said to have jumped ship in 1832 in Georgia and headed to Florida after marrying in Georgia. Read about the Robles and see original land surveys of Tampa that show where the Robles properties were located. If you work in downtown Tampa, chances are you drive through it every day. The Robles Family at TampaPix NEW: Photos of Judge Francis Robles

Blanche Armwood was a Tampa native and the first African-American woman from Florida to graduate from an accredited law school--Howard University. Armwood High School in Seffner, which opened in 1984, was named after her.



An early 20th-century Renaissance woman, Ms. Armwood steadfastly held the values of hard work, religious morality, and judicial equality before the American consciousness. She used diplomacy to present these ideals to the American public. Called a "Female Booker T. Washington," Armwood served as liaison between the black and white races. She was administrator, educator, innovator, writer, and poet. Read about Blanche Armwood at TampaPix

95-YEAR-OLD STILL WORKS AT TAMPA'S CITY HALL! See interior photos added Oct. 6, 2010



Hortense recently turned 95-years-young and yet SHE sets the pace for City Hall's employees and downtown visitors. She performs her job with pride, on the 10th floor where she's worked ever since she started there in the early 1900s. She's always punctual and doesn't plan on slowing down or retiring any time soon! READ a bout and see photos of "Hortense the beautiful" as she's known to many. Also learn about the city hall building, its history and design.

SNAKES ON A PLANE! - Dec. 9, 1969 A NEW Photo has been added on 9-27-2010 from "The Reading Eagle", a Pennsylvania newspaper.

On the above date, a C-46 cargo plane made a forced landing in the parking area of Al Lopez field. It came to rest against a utility pole, just 500 feet from a house which was across Himes Ave. Stories circulated amongst the locals that it carried reptiles and that snakes escaped to roam the neighborhood until they were rounded up. Part of this is true; read on!

B-17 "Fortress" Bomber Makes Crash Landing in West Tampa - May 19, 1944 Shortly before 7 a.m. on May 19, 1944, a four-engine B-17 bomber crashed on Abdella Street in West Tampa just east of Drew Field, the giant wartime base where today's Tampa International Airport is located. Read about the heroic efforts of neighborhood residents to rescue the 9-man crew from the flaming wreckage.