Port Tampa Historical Trail

Instructions:

1. Print this file.

2. At its end, click on "rules", print it, and then click where indicated at the end of the
page "rules and patch order form" to get back to the list of Florida trails.

3. If you want a hand-drawn map showing the locations of all of sites, send a self-
addressed stamped envelope to Steve Rajtar, 1614 Bimini Dr., Orlando, FL 32806.

4. Hike the trail and order whatever patches you like (optional).

WARNING - This trail may pass through one or more neighborhoods which, although
full of history, may now be unsafe for individuals on foot, or which may make you feel
unsafe there. Hikers have been approached by individuals who have asked for
handouts or who have inquired (not always in a friendly manner) why the hikers are in
their neighborhood. Drugs and other inappropriate items have been found by hikers in
some neighborhoods. It is suggested that you drive the hike routes first to see if you will
feel comfortable walking them and, if you don't think it's a good place for you walk, you
might want to consider (1) traveling with a large group, (2) doing the route on bicycles,
or (3) choosing another hike route. The degree of comfort will vary with the individual
and with the time and season of the hike, so you need to make the determination using
your best judgment. If you hike the trail, you accept all risks involved.

Port Tampa Historical Trail

Copyright 1999 by Steve Rajtar

 
(From Interstate 275, drive south on Dale Mabry Hwy., southwest and west on Interbay Blvd.,
southwest and west on Commerce St., and south on Picnic Island Rd. Park at Picnic Island Park.)
(0.0 miles so far)

South end of Picnic Island Rd.

1....Picnic Island

On July 4, 1888, this area was opened as a beach amusement resort by Col. S.G.
Harvey. It originally was an island, but was later made a part of the mainland. One could
ride the Yellow Gal commuter train from the Polk St. station in Tampa for 40 cents one
way, 45 cents round trip. It made nine trips daily.

(Walk north on Picnic Island Rd. and east on Commerce St. to the intersection with the railroad
tracks.)(1.4)

Intersection of Commerce St. and the railroad tracks

2.... Railroad Spur Line

Because this area known as Black Point was closer to the entrance to Tampa Bay and
the Gulf of Mexico than was downtown Tampa at the mouth of the Hillsborough River,
Henry B. Plant built a nine-mile spur line to this location. A 19-foot channel was dredged
and soon built were a freight and passenger station, railroad yards, a railroad car repair
shop, worker's homes, a pier, and a brick power plant.

The railroad spur line opened on February 5, 1888. By June of 1888, the Plant
Steamship Company was providing service to Havana on the 1676-ton Olivette and the
884-ton Mascotte. Local boats connected Port Tampa to St. Petersburg, Egmont Key
and Green Springs.

These facilities were expanded after the phosphate industry became the largest export
industry at the port. In 1892, two large wooden phosphate elevators were constructed,
followed by a steam-operated wooden elevator in 1903, a larger one in 1906, and a
steel elevator in 1925. The warehouses were dismantled in 1951 and the elevators were
torn down in January of 1971.

(Continue northeast on Commerce St. to the intersection with Port Tampa Dr., and look to the
south.)(1.6) 

South side of wharf

3.... Site of Hotels

The Inn was a large hotel built on pilings adjacent to the wharf. It was three stories tall
and accommodated 85 guests. An annex, the 14-guest St. Elmo Inn, sought northern
visitors and was a social center for Tampa residents.

On March 28, 1898, the survivors of the sinking of the battleship Maine arrived here on
the steamship Olivette. Through June of that year, this was the embarkation point for
troops and dignitaries headed to Cuba, including Theodore Roosevelt. William Jennings
Bryan and Clara Barton also visited the facilities here. On June 14, 1898, an invasion
force of 16,000 left here for Cuba.

The world's largest electrical sign was first lighted here on October 30, 1953. It spelled
out "Atlantic Coast Line Port Tampa Terminals" with letters 19 feet tall and up to 13 feet
wide. The whole sign was 76 feet tall and 387.5 feet wide, and used 4,000 feet of red
neon tubing.

(Continue east on Commerce St. to the intersection with Germer St.)(1.9)

Intersection of Commerce and Germer Sts.

4.... Western Boundary

This was the western boundary of the original 1885 purchase of the townsite of Port
Tampa by C.W. Prescott and James W. Fitzgerald. It extended eastward from Germer
to Wall Sts., and from Commerce St. on the north, southward to Montana St.

(Walk south on Germer St., east on Ingraham St. and south 500 feet on Sherill St.)(2.2)

West side of Sherill St., between Ingraham and Idaho Sts. (7218 S. Sherill St.)

5.... St. Marks Missionary Baptist Church

This church organized in 1892 with first pastor Rev. Dukes. The first sanctuary was
remodeled in 1905 and rebuilt in 1961.

(Walk north on Sherill St. and east on Ingraham St. to the intersection with Juniata St.)(2.3)

Northwest corner of Ingraham and Juniata Sts.

6.... Site of Bank

The First Bank of Port Tampa City opened here in 1924, and two years later James C.
Yeats moved it to the corner of Commerce and Mascotte Sts.

(Continue east on Ingraham St., then walk south on Kissimmee St. to the intersection with Idaho
St.)(2.6)

Southwest corner of Idaho and Kissimmee Sts. (4910 Idaho St.)

7.... Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church

This church was founded in 1889, and its first sanctuary opened in 1907 at the corner of
Kissimmee and Richardson Sts. Its first pastor was Rev. J.H. Johnson. The present
church building opened here in 1942.

(Cross to the southeast corner.)(2.6)

Block formed by Idaho, Kissimmee, Richardson and Mascotte Sts.

8.... Site of Advent Christian Church

Gospel boat captain Rev. J.T. Johnson formed the Advent Christian Church on April 10,
1898. He opened a wooden frame church on this block for the soldiers awaiting
departure for the Spanish-American War, who pitched their tents nearby.

(Continue east on Idaho St., then walk north on West Shore Blvd. to the intersection with Bradley
St.)(2.8)

Southeast corner of West Shore Blvd. and Bradley St. (7300 West Shore Blvd.)

9.... Site of Tiffany Tile Plant

A ceramic tile business opened here in 1952. It was one of the largest commercial
businesses in the city not related to the railroad or shipping.

(Walk east on Bradley St., south on Sparkman Ave., and east on Richardson Ave. until it ends at
the chain link fence, and look to the east.)(3.5)

Southeast of Port Tampa

10.... MacDill Air Force Base

This base opened in 1939, creating economic opportunities for Port Tampa. It was
named after Col. Leslie MacDill who, on November 9, 1938, died in an airplane crash at
Anacostia Base in Washington, DC.

(Walk north parallel to the fence (Manhattan Ave.) and west on Interbay Blvd. 150 feet past
Sparkman St.)(4.4)

Northeast corner of Interbay Blvd. and DeSoto Ave. (8407 Interbay Blvd.)

11.... Gambrell House

This home was built in 1900 and was the residence of the Gambrell family.

(Walk east on Interbay Blvd. 150 feet past Sparkman St.)(4.5)

South side of Interbay Blvd., between Sparkman and Shamrock Sts.

12.... First Baptist Church

This church formed on November 28, 1901, and temporarily used the Methodist church
building. Rev. J.E. McIntosh served as the first pastor. The Baptists built their first
santuary in 1905. It was followed by another in 1959. The old church building was given
to a black congregation, who moved it to another location.

(Continue east on Interbay Blvd., then walk north 125 feet on Shamrock St.)(4.6)

West side of Shamrock St., between Interbay Blvd. and Prescott St. (6835 S.
Shamrock St.)

13.... Faul House

Faul St. is named after the family who owned this house, which was built in about 1890.

(Continue north on Shamrock St. to the intersection with Prescott St.)(4.6)

Southwest corner of Shamrock and Prescott Sts. (6821 S. Shamrock St.)

14.... Silveus House

This house dates to about 1890, and was the Silveus residence.

The earliest lot purchasers after development began in the 1880s were Egmont Key
ship pilots and Spanish merchants from Havana. Prescott and Fitzgerald were joined by
H.G. Warner to form the Port Tampa Building and Loan Association, and lots sold from
$100 to $1,000.

(Continue north on Shamrock St., then walk east on Lancaster St., north on Trask St., and west on
McCoy St. to the intersection with West Shore Blvd.)(5.1)

West side of West Shore Blvd., between McCoy and Staunton Sts. (6601 S. West
Shore Blvd.)

15.... Site of Shady Pines Mobile Home Park

This residential area was established in 1938 and was owned by the city until it was
sold to private ownership in 1951.

(Walk south on West Shore Blvd. and west on Prescott St. until it ends at the bay.)(5.9)

West end of Prescott St.

16.... Port Tampa Pier

The first pier located here was constructed during the 1890s. It and the surrounding
area were used by local residents to swim, fish, picnic, and sail. On June 14, 1911, the
city opened a public bathhouse on the pier. Prescott St. was paved to the pier in 1923
and is named for C.W. Prescott, a wealthy merchant from Erie, Pennsylvania.

A Boy Scout clubhouse was constructed near the pier in about 1927.

(Walk east on Prescott St. to the intersection with West Shore Blvd. and cross to the southeast
corner.)(6.6)

Triangular lot bounded by West Shore Blvd. and Commerce and Prescott Sts.

17.... Port Tampa Park

This park was established on August 5, 1930, when the city leased the land from the
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad for $1 per year.
(Continue east on Prescott St. to the intersection with Commerce St., and look to the south.)(6.6)

Southwest corner of Commerce and Fitzgerald Sts.

18.... Masonic Temple

Masonic Lodge #153, F.& A.M., was chartered on April 23, 1896. Early meetings were
held in the Opera Lodge Hall and then in the Knights of Pythias Building. The present
building opened in 1946.

(Continue east on Prescott St. 150 feet past the intersection with Fitzgerald St.)(6.6)

North side of Prescott St., between Commerce and DeSoto Sts. (4719 Prescott St.)

19.... Site of Calumet Club

A club was founded on November 30, 1897, by 37 ships' captains and their wives. A
clubhouse was built on Interbay Blvd. with a billiard room, dance floor and social areas.
It was the city hall from 1923 until 1947, and was then moved here to serve as a
community social center. It was razed in 1975.

(Continue east on Prescott St., then walk south 150 feet on DeSoto St.)(6.7)

West side of DeSoto St., between Prescott St. and Interbay Blvd. (6823 S. DeSoto
St.)

20.... Johnson-Wolff House

This Masonry Vernacular home was built in 1885 with a Spanish style, second-story
balcony and a flat roof. The Plant Steamship Lines built this and other one-story 50 x 16
foot homes for workers with front and back porches. The owner of this home beginning
in 1893, Norwegian seaman Capt. Henry L. Johnson, remodeled it by removing the
balcony and adding a New England style hipped roof and front and side balustraded
porch.

Johnson had the first automobile in Port Tampa in 1901, and used it to take malaria
patients to Tampa during a major outbreak. He caught the disease and died.

This house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 24, 1974.
(Continue south 75 feet on DeSoto St.)(6.7)

West side of DeSoto St., between Prescott St. and Interbay Blvd. (6825 S. DeSoto
St.)

21.... Lowery House

This brick home of the Lowery family was built in about 1910.

(Continue south on DeSoto St. to the intersection with Chisholm St.)(6.8)

Northeast corner of DeSoto and Chisholm Sts. (6914 S. DeSoto St.)

22.... Port Tampa United Methodist Church

This church was organized in a home in 1889. A sanctuary was open here by 1902.

(Cross to the southwest corner and continue south 150 feet on DeSoto St.)(6.9)

West side of DeSoto St., between Chisholm and Loughman Sts. (7005 S. DeSoto
St.)

23.... Hinricks House

This house was built in about 1910 for the Hinricks family.

(Continue south on DeSoto St., then walk west on Loughman St. and north on Fitzgerald St. to the
intersection with Chisholm St.)(7.1)

Southeast corner of Fitzgerald and Chisholm Sts. (7002 S. Fitzgerald St.)

24.... Site of St. Ignatius Catholic Church

The first Catholic mass in Port Tampa was held by Father Daniel O'Sullivan from Tampa
on June 19, 1898, in the home of Manuela Garcia at the corner of Fitzgerald and
Prescott Sts. Bishop John Moore of the Diocese of St. Augustine dedicated a new
church here on May 14, 1899.
The church was built by Henry Levick, a contractor who lived in Tampa Heights.

(Continue north on Fitzgerald St. 125 feet past Chisholm St.)(7.1)

East side of Fitzgerald St., between Chisholm St. and Interbay Blvd. (6912 S.
Fitzgerald St.)

25.... Carranza House

This house was built as the residence of the Carranza family.

Fitzgerald St. is named for Capt. James W. Fitzgerald, the superintendent of the Plant
Steamship Lines. When the first white child was born in Port Tampa on November 17,
1891, to Syrena Alford, she named him Luther Fitzgerald Alford after the town's founder.

(Continue north 100 feet on Fitzgerald St.)(7.1)

East side of Fitzgerald St., between Chisholm St. and Interbay Blvd.

26.... Site of First House

The first house built in Port Tampa was located near here. It was a one-story frame
home which the Bell Telephone Company used as an early home for its telephone
exchange.

(Continue north 50 feet on Fitzgerald St.)(7.1)

East side of Fitzgerald St., between Chisholm St. and Interbay Blvd. (6904 S.
Fitzgerald St.)

27.... Richardson House

This house was built in 1900 as the residence of the Richardson family.

(Continue north 50 feet on Fitzgerald St.)(7.1)

100 block of Fitzgerald St. (about 6900)

28.... Site of Fitzgerald House

Capt. Fitzgerald, as did many of the Egmont Key pilots, preferred two-story frame
homes with high ceilings and extensive porches upstairs and downstairs. He had one
which fit that description near here, but it burned down in 1931.

(Continue north on Fitzgerald St., then walk west 100 feet on Interbay Blvd., and look north across
the street.)(7.2)

North side of Interbay Blvd., between Fitzgerald St. and West Shore Blvd.

29.... Port Tampa Library

This building was erected in 1947-48 and served as the city hall, replacing the Calumet
Club building. Port Tampa was annexed by Tampa on May 11, 1961.

(Continue west on Interbay Blvd. to the intersection with West Shore Blvd.)(7.2)

Southeast corner of West Shore and Interbay Blvds. (8612-16 Interbay Blvd. and
6902-08 West Shore Blvd.)

30.... Hanks' Corner

In about 1920, this brick building was erected by H.J. Hanks to replace the Warner
Building on this corner. This included a store and a filling station at the corner, and was
called Hanks' Corner. It later housed Keeton's Drug Store, which opened on September
15, 1939.

The filling station was enclosed in about 1945 and converted to a restaurant, then
became a beauty parlor and barber shop. The building was purchased by V.T. Clark in
1956 or 1957.

(Walk south on West Shore Blvd. 200 feet past Loughman St.)(7.4)

Southeast corner of Ingraham and Loughman Sts. (7110 S. West Shore Blvd.)

31.... West Shore High School

This began in 1926 as West Shore High School. Later, it became a junior high school
and then an elementary school.
Before the school was built here, on the site was the Old Printery, also known as the
Graham Lottery Building. Built in 1893 for $48,000, it housed the country's largest
manufacturer of lottery tickets. The lottery had moved here after it was chased out of
Louisiana. The winning numbers were drawn in Honduras, then printed here.

It was closed by the federal government in January on 1895, and the town leased the
building to the St. Louis Catholic Benevolent Association of New Orleans for use as a
Catholic school. During the Spanish-American War, it was used as a supply base and
then was returned to use as a private school until 1906. The building was then used as
a public school until 1926, when it was razed to make room for the present school
building.

(Continue south 130 feet on West Shore Blvd.)(7.4)

West side of West Shore Blvd., between Loughman and Ingraham Sts. (7115 S.
West Shore Blvd.)

32.... Site of Newspaper Office

In 1935, F. Ralph Gervers started publishing the Port Tampa Beacon here.

(Continue south on West Shore Blvd., then walk west on Ingraham St. and north 100 feet on
Mascotte St.)(7.5)

East side of Mascotte St., between Loughman and Ingraham Sts. (7114 Mascotte
St.)

33.... Baker House

This was the residence of the Baker family.

(Continue north on Mascotte St. to the intersection with Commerce St.)(7.6)

Southwest corner of Commerce and Mascotte Sts. (4902 Commerce St.)

34.... First Bank of Port Tampa City

In 1926, the bank moved into this new home, built by bank president James G. Yeats. It
is constructed of imported Italian marble and cost $125,000. The bank closed on July
17, 1929, reopened on August 24, 1929, was robbed on February 26, 1932, and closed
for good in 1933.
The building was bought by the Toffaleti brothers, who operated the Toffaleti Brothers
Grocery and General Merchandise Store in it until 1954. The bank vault was converted
to a refrigerator. The business was sold in 1954 to Ernie Toffaleti and V.T. Clark. Clark
later moved the business to Hanks' Corner.

(Walk southwest on Commerce St. and south on Kissimmee St. to the intersection with Loughman
St.)(7.7)

Northeast corner of Kissimmee and Loughman Sts.

35.... Site of Ice Cream Parlor

On this corner was a three-cornered building in which Laura Switzer operated an ice
cream parlor. The ladies who formed the literary club in 1910-11 held their early
meetings there.

(Cross to the southwest corner.)(7.7)

Southwest corner of Kissimmee and Loughman Sts. (7101 Kissimmee St.)

36.... Fitzgerald Building

This two-story building was one of only two business buildings, along with the Brick
Corner, to survive fires in 1908-10. For a time, this was the home of the post office.

It was a small store when Albert F. Delbaugh bought it from G.O. Buie. Delbaugh
enlarged it and moved the Keystone Market here from Davis' Corner. The store closed
in 1940.

Across the street on the southeast corner was the Willis Building, erected in 1900.

(Continue south on Kissimmee St. to the intersection with Ingraham St.)(7.8)

Northeast corner of Kissimmee and Ingraham Sts. (7108 Kissimmee St.)

37.... Site of Knights of Pythias Building

Previously on this site was the Opera Lodge Hall, followed by the Pythias building in
about 1910. In 1955, Ray A. Parrish and Arthur Stetzel opened the Port Tampa Auto
Parts store on the ground floor. Another occupant here was Munn's Ceramics.
The Knights of Pythias, Gulf Lodge #48, had been chartered on March 20, 1896. They
met in the Opera Lodge Hall until it burned down in 1908 or 1910.

(Cross to the northwest corner.)(7.8)

Northwest corner of Ingraham and Kissimmee Sts.

38.... Site of Brick Corner

On this corner was located the Davis Building, the site of the first city council meeting on
June 30, 1893. In the building was the office of C.E. Hoadly and R. Bowen Daniel, who
was chosen to be the first mayor.

This was early Port Tampa's main business district, known as the Brick Corner. Nearby
was the Cuesta & Rey cigar factory founded by Angel La Madrid Cuesta in 1893, but he
later moved his business to West Tampa.

This and the Fitzgerald Building at the corner of Fitzgerald and Loughman Sts. were the
two business buildings that survived the major fire of 1908.

Roy Davis bought the building to be used as a dry goods store, then renamed as Davis'
Corner. In it was Risley Drug Store, then a restaurant operated by Thomas Gomez.
Beginning in about 1927, the Gomez family operated Tommy's Place for about 25
years.

(Look across to the southwest corner.)(7.8)

Southwest corner of Ingraham and Kissimmee Sts. (4916 Ingraham St.)

39.... Fire Station

This fire station was built in 1961 at a cost of $16,862.50. It replaced one built on
Kissimmee St. in 1894 for $50. That wooden one was sold in 1961 for $25.

(Walk west on Ingraham and Commerce Sts., and south on Picnic Island Rd. to the point of
beginning.)(10.0)

Bibliography

A Guide to National Register Sites in Florida, (Florida Department of State 1984)

A History of the City of Port Tampa 1888-1961, by Port Tampa City Woman's Club
(1972)

Florida Historical Markers & Sites, by Floyd E. Boone (Gulf Publishing Company 1988)

Florida's History Through Its Places: Properties in the National Register of Historic
Places, by Morton D. Winsberg (Florida State University 1988)

Guide to Florida's Historic Architecture, (University of Florida Press 1989)

Historic Overview of Port Tampa, by M.C. Leonard (Hillsborough Community College

1978)

Historic Overview of Tampa Heights, by M.C. Leonard (Hillsborough Community

College 1978)

Plant's Place: Henry B. Plant and the Tampa Bay Hotel, by Dr. James W. Covington
(Harmony House 1990)
All that you see here, known as "The Wharf" no
longer exists. It indeed was once there, but
exactly where, no one seems to know.

A description written in the Port Tampa

Historical Trail states that if you go to the
intersection of the Port Tampa Dr. and West
Commerce Streets and look due south, you will
see the location of the "Wharf".

But exactly where, in the photographs,  is North,

 
South, East and West?  Where was that man-
made pier, its railroad tracks, train station, and
hotels, positioned in the Picnic Island area?
Check it out. Do you know?  If you do know,
please contact this website and let us know...
Your input will be appreciated!

Webmaster: Click to email

VentoTechnology
 
 PORT TAMPA HOTEL

U.S. Troops Embarkation to Cuba in Spanish American War 1898

 
 Notice Sailing Ships were Still in Use

 
 Notice Sailing Ships were Still in Use

 
Spanish-American War - Port Tampa 1898 - Teddy Roosevelt's Rough-riders awaiting embarkation to fight in Cuba
Port Tampa, which was also known as Passage Point or Black Point, was
established in 1887 as the end of the Henry Plant Railroad line. Plant wanted more
control of his passengers for his steamboat line. Here, about 1888, the train
would pull right out on the dock where Plant had built two hotels (now gone) the
St. Elmo and the larger Port Tampa Inn. Guests would step off the steamship right
on the pier (also gone) and either go to the hotel or the train. I know that some
feel this does not qualify as a ghost town however the little city was a nine mile
trolley ride down the Interbay peninsula from Tampa where by 1891, 205 ships
brought 136,000 tons of goods in to port. Cigar factories and stores as well as the
homes for port workers, railroad employees, and hotel staff. Most homes are still
there today. By 1910 the port was no longer a prime location since most were
traveling by boat on up to Tampa. The town stopped growing and ceased to have
a legitimate function as a RR and steamship company town for Henry Plant. The
area of the port is totally industrial now. In the 40's the City of Tampa took the
area over and Port Tampa City ceased to exist as a town. This was over much
opposition by the proud residents of Port Tampa. This port also was made
famous by being the selection as the debarkation point for the Spanish-American
War invasion of Cuba. The soldiers were quartered in the area of the adjacent
park and Teddy Roosevelt and his staff stayed at several homes here.
 Submitted by: Mike Woodfin

Notice how the train went out on the pier

next to the two hotels.
(No Longer Exists)
Picture courtesy Florida State Achives
[Click picture for enlarged view.]
Port Tampa - Port of Embarkation to Cuba
[Click picture for enlarged view.]

St. Elmo Hotel, Port Tampa - 14 rooms

(No Longer Exists)

 
Warner House built in 1885 was owned by a sea
captain, John Warner.
Courtesy Michael Woodfin

Above is the Johnson/Wolff House. built in

1885 it was one of the homes that Teddy
Roosevelt slept in. H.J. Johnson died of
yellow fever taking fever victims to Tampa
for treatment. He was Chief Harbormaster
at the time. This house is listed on the
National Historic Register.
Courtesy Michael Woodfin
Downtown Port Tampa was along
Kissimmee Street in the old days. Now all
deserted and boarded up.
Courtesy Michael Woodfin

Another view
of Downtown
Port Tampa
on
Kissimmee.
Courtesy
Michael
Woodfin

This is the last Port Tampa City Hall

(circa1947) now renovated into a library.
Courtesy  Michael Woodfin

The Port Tampa Episcopal Church 1898.

Now a residence.
Courtesy Michael Woodfin

 
The Port Tampa Methodist Church circa
1894.
Courtesy Michael Woodfin

Dallmer House circa 1896.

Courtesy Michael Woodfin
Harrison House once was owned by a
tugboat captain. The house (1898) had a
"widows walk" on top at one time.
Courtesy Michael Woodfin

circa 1890 this home once owned by

 Dr.  W.H.Mudge was said to be an
unofficial Rough Riders headquarters.
Courtesy Michael Woodfin
[Recent construction - turn of 19th.-20th.
century architecture. (webmasters note)]
Courtesy Michael Woodfin

Key West Style, Scott House 1896.

Courtesy Michael Woodfin
Two Story Victorian Frame Smith House
1893.
Courtesy Michael Woodfin