With a handful of other historical markers in this part of downtown Tampa near City Hall, this one…read moreremembers one of the early founders of Tampa's pioneer era. The marker is in a small garden area and reads: Captain James McKay, I (1808-1876) On this site, after the devastating hurricane of 1848, McKay, a native of Scotland, built his first permanent home of finished lumber from Mobile, Ala. Here, with his wife Matilda, they raised their children. McKay was a dominant factor in the upbuilding of Tampa in pioneer times. His shipping lines established the first commercial connection with the outside world. In 1848, he built a courthouse; in 1858, opened the first cattle trade with Cuba, and in 1859, was elected mayor. During the Civil War, with his sidewheeler, the Scottish Chief, he became one of Florida's most active blockade-runners; also formed the "Cowboy Calvary" to protect cattle drivers headed for the war-front.

A lot of people know Tampa for Cuban cigars, but fewer realize just how deep and early the…read moreconnection between Tampa and Cuba really runs, and this marker does a nice job grounding you in that history. Standing here in Ybor City, it's easy to picture the moment when the cigar industry was just beginning to take shape, long before the factories multiplied and the neighborhood became the center of Tampa's identity. It reads, "The first Tampa cigars produced with "Clear Havana" tobacco were rolled at this site in the Sanchez y Haya Co. cigar factory on April 13, 1886. The factory, owned by Ignacio Haya and Serafin Sanchez, was licensed through the state of Florida as Factory No. 1. At the end of the first year, workers at the Sanchez y Haya factory rolled 500,000 cigars per month." The marker was erected in 2020 by the Hillsborough County Historical Advisory Council. It stands as a reminder that Ybor's story isn't just about nightlife or old brick buildings. It's about the people who crossed the water, the factories that shaped the city's growth, and the way Tampa and Cuba became intertwined through tobacco, labor, and culture. Walking past it, you get a sense of how much began right here, on a patch of ground that helped launch an industry and a neighborhood that would define Tampa for generations. [Review 149 of 2026 - 2256 in Florida - 25339 overall]

This is a nice Communuty Center building in Hyde Park Vilkage adjacent to the park, playground, and…read morebasketball courts. It's new and clean. Spacious. Architecture is in keeping with the bungalow style. The center offers a schedge of activities and is used for functiins such as voting. There's a historical marker on the side street.

Carrying Laurel Street over the Hillsborough River in the Riverwalk district of Tampa, this is…read moreknown as both the Laurel Street Bridge and the Fortune Street Bridge. It is a Strauss overhead counterweight trunnion bascule bridge. The bridge was originally named after Madame Fortune Taylor, a former slave who became a successful landowner and entrepreneur in Tampa. She owned land on the east side of the Hillsborough River, which the city needed for bridge construction in 1892. The original bridge was replaced in 1927 with the current trunnion bascule bridge. In the late 1960s, road realignments led to the renaming of the bridge as Laurel Street Bridge, but in 2017 the City Council restored its original name to honor Fortune Taylor. A nearby historical marker provides a biography of Madame Taylor and her efforts that turned Tampa into the metropolis we see today. The Riverwalk continues underneath the bridge where you'll find an interesting artwork. [Review 333 of 2025 - 1988 in Florida - 23895 overall]

This is a nice lil drawbridge to take by car or on foot from one side of Hillsborough River to the…read moreother. On the west side it begins by Julian B. Lane Park near its dog park and River Center where there is ample parking. On the other side it reaches between the Straz and Armature Works for a nice walk on the River Walk to either. Nice river views. Also called the Fortune Taylor Bridge there is some history and markers in the area as well asnbusts of historic figures in Tamoa history. Well worth visiting lovely new Julian B. Park and crossing over the river on foot. Free parking at park too. Water views. Riverside trail for biking on both sides of the river.

The Harbour Island Lighthouse in Tampa sits inside a gated residential section of Harbour Island,…read morewhich means there is no public access unless you live in that community. No public paths lead to the lighthouse itself. The good news is that it is fully visible from Channel Drive, where you can park easily and admire it from across the water. As a visual accent on the shoreline, the lighthouse works well. From Garrison Channel or from the public walkways near the Harbour Island Bridge, you can see it rising above the waterfront homes. It adds a bit of charm to the island's profile, especially at sunset when the light softens and the water reflects the color. Up close, it's clear that this is not a traditional lighthouse and was never meant to function as one. Instead, it is an architectural flourish for the neighborhood rather than a navigational aid. It was built as a decorative landmark in the late 1980s or early 1990s, during the period when the island was being redeveloped into residential homes. [Review 28 of 2026 - 2219 in Florida - 25219 overall]

I love calling Tampa home! There's so much to enjoy--from the beautiful Riverwalk and waterfront…read moresunsets to great restaurants, outdoor activities, sporting events, and growing neighborhoods. I especially love being able to walk along the water and enjoy the energy of the city. Tampa continues to grow, but it still has that warm, welcoming Florida feel. Dinah Speck, REALTOR® LPT Realty, LLC Tampa Bay, Florida 727-741-1990 dinah@fittolivewell.com DinahSellsTampaBay.com Helping You Find More Than a Home--Helping You Live Your Best Life.

Didn't realize I could review this incredible city. Champa…read moreBay- the Rays, the Bucs, the Bolts, the Rowdies. Big enough without being too, babe. Lots of water, perfect for boat parades! Lots of amazing food and even roosters run free here! Great restaurants, outstanding law enforcement and super airport TPA. Proud to be living in the Tampa Bay area!

Just stopped in to grab some cigars. The cigar tender couldn't have been nicer. He was super…read morehelpful and helped me find some cigars that i had been searching for. Loved the building and the vibe, wished i could have stayed for a smoke!

Great staff! Great drinks! Great cigars! And the vibes are crazy…read more I love it here so much.

Another pretty space in downtown Tampa near City Hall, this pedestrian plaza is a nice spot with…read moreplenty of shade from trees and taller buildings. It is named after Tampa's mayor from 1974 to 1979 who passed away in 2014. There's a marker here which reads: William F. Poe Plaza is named in honor of William F. Poe, Sr. in recognition of the many significant improvements he initiated in downtown Tampa during his five years of service as Mayor of Tampa from October 1974 to October 1979. For many years, the Poe family's generosity assisted educational and charitable projects with an emphasis on ethics. Bill Poe's successes in business positively affected the image and reputation of the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County. In recognition of these many contributions to our community, William F. Poe Plaza is dedicated to the ideals embodied by Bill Poe and the Poe family. Bill Poe loved being Mayor of Tampa. Dedication Ceremony May 17, 2005