My first visit to Plant City was just about 20 years ago, I was working in the northeast and doing…read morebusiness with a company located here, my first impression wasn't the best being it was mid summer. It was 95 degrees and at least that same percentage of humidity and the vendor I was visiting had no air conditioning in his shop, needless to say it was a very short visit, but I did have the chance to kick around the town a little and got a little history of the area. Originally, Plant City was a large cotton center, but after changing its primary crop to strawberries it gained recognition as the winter strawberry capital of the world and now that I live in Florida I can say without a doubt they grow some of the most succulent strawberries that will ever touch your lips. Plant City's original name was Ichepucksassa (also known as Idasukshed) after the Indian village that once occupied the territory. Its name caused so much confusion besides being difficult to pronounce that the city was renamed Cork, ( LOL) after the postmaster's Irish hometown. It was finally given the name Plant City in commemoration of Henry B. Plant and his railroad, which significantly boosted the commerce in this primarily agricultural community by incorporating it with the South Florida Railroad. I thought it was because of all the plants they grew here, oh well so much for assumptions. I'd say most people recognize the city's name because Plant City was also the spring training home of the Cincinnati Reds who played at Plant City Stadium from 1988 to 1997. In case you're wondering Pete Rose never played pre-season baseball here but he did manage here for two years before "agreeing to" and "accepting" a permanent ban from baseball for betting on games he participated in with no appeal, what was he thinking? It appears that "Charlie Hustle" got shang·haied by his legal counsel in to believing the truth will set you free. Well I respect the honesty of the man but can never agree that the punishment fit the crime. So it's okay to be convicted of drugs possession, domestic violent, rape, murder and child abuse and continue to participate, make millions of dollars and even be inducted into the Hall of Fame but don't bet on yourself to win because that's unforgivable. Pete Rose is alright by me as is Plant City....

This marker sits right along 7th Avenue in Ybor City, tucked into the flow of restaurants, bars,…read moreand late‑night foot traffic, and it stands out in a good way because it reminds you that this neighborhood isn't just about entertainment but also about the people who shaped it. Even with all the neon and music around you, the marker is easy to spot, and it adds a sense of continuity to a district that has always balanced celebration with community life. It tells the story of Molly Ferrara, someone whose influence reached far beyond the block where you're standing The marker has the same text on both sides. It reads, "Molly Ferrara. 1905-1979. Molly Ferrara, nee Antinori, daughter of Sicilian immigrants, was a native of Ybor City. In 1954, she was elected Alcaldesa of Ybor City, the only woman to hold this distinction. One of the Tampa's few successful businesswomen during her time, she founded, in 1937, Columbia Music and Appliances, a business she operated for over 40 years. Molly was honored with many awards and served on numerous committees promoting Ybor City locally, statewide, and internationally. Her accomplishments included: Founder of the Ybor City Girls Club, Woman of the Year Award, Elks Club Brotherhood Award for Service, and the Sertoma Service to Mankind Award. She served on many boards such as Hillsborough County Heart Association, Pan American Commission, Salvation Army, and International Trade Committee. She was Founding President of the Pilot's Club and Chairwoman of the International Relations of Business and Professional Women's Club of Tampa. She was also Tampa's first woman tax collector. An outstanding leader, Molly Ferrara was admired and loved for service and dedication to the community." The marker was erected in 2013 by the Hillsborough County Historical Advisory Council and The Antinomy-Ferrara-West Families. It is standing there on 7th Avenue doing exactly what a good historical marker should do: it pulls a remarkable life out of the background noise and gives it a place of honor right where it belongs. [Review 132 of 2026 - 2243 in Florida - 25322 overall]

I love discovering interesting public art pieces across the state but this is the first time I have…read morefound one dedicated to the unsung heroes of Florida, the linemen. You can find this art piece between Lake Mirror and the Lakeland Electric headquarters. Besides the subject matter another cool feature of this piece was that it was designed by three Lakeland High School students who won a competition sponsored by Platform Art, a Lakeland-based nonprofit group that links regional artists with public art projects. Six high schools and one middle school entered the contest. The idea for the sculpture was germinated after Hurricane Irma wrecked devastation through Polk County in 2017. Linemen from several power companies worked day and night in hazardous conditions to restore power to thousands of homes. First on the scene after a weather disaster, they often go unrecognized for their important service. The linemen are certainly deserving of this recognition and it is nice to see them get their due.

This is a BEAUTIFUL old cigar factory building on Howard Avenue just south of 275. Peeps think of…read moreYbor and cigars, but West Tampa was big time too with its own factories and social clubs. Argosy University renovated one just a block or two up the street even closer to I275 and there is another armory red brick turreted one visible a few blocks south from this site. More on Armenia.. This one is for sale and let's hope someone readapts it and brings it back to life! It has beautiful polychrome brickwork, arches above to windows, and other neat features. While Mayor Bob Buckhorn is pushing for a multi billion dollar boondoggle tolld road down the middle of 275 scheme, these historic and gorgeous buidlings at the historical heart of Tampa are deteriorating. We can do better.

I love to visit old cigar factories and I recently stopped by to check out this piece of history. I…read moresit back and try to imagine what it was like during that era!

Take a moment to stop here in downtown Tampa and appreciate the sacrifice of this Marine who is…read moreremembered downtown with this historical marker that was erected in 1981 by the citzens of Tampa to honor one of their own. The marker reads: "During the Inchon invasion in Korea, September 15, 1950, Marine 1st Lieutenant Lopez's platoon was engaging the enemy. Exposing himself to hostile fire he attempted to hurl a grenade into the pillbox whose fire was pinning them down. Wounded, he fell and dropped the grenade. Dragging his body forward, critically wounded and unable to grasp the grenade, he sacrificed himself rather than endanger the lives of his men. With his wounded right arm, he cradled the grenade under him absorbing the full impact of the explosion. With courage and devotion to duty, he gallantly gave his life for his men and his country." First Lieutenant Lopez was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. http://www.marinemedals.com/lopezbaldomero.htm [Review 10418 overall, 185 of 2019.]

I love old drawbridges and the best kind of old drawbridge is a "lift" bridge where the roadway is…read moreliterally lifted up, as opposed to a "swing" bridge where the roadway twists out of the way or a "bascule" bridge where the span lifts like a leaf ("bascule" is French for leaf). The Hillsborough Avenue Lift Bridge is also known as the T.N. Henderson Bridge (I have no idea why) and it carries State Route 600 and US Highway 92 over the Hillsborough River. It was built in 1939 by the Cone Brothers Construction Company and designed by J.H. Dowling of the State Road Department. What is particularly unique here is that there are two separate bridges at this crossing. The vertical lift bridge serves eastbound traffic and a neighboring bascule bridge serves westbound traffic. The lift bridge was originally part of a road expansion project connecting Tampa's northern suburbs and remains one of only two operable vertical lift bridges in Florida. The much larger Main Street Bridge (aka John T. Alsop Jr. Bridge) in Jacksonville is the other. Vertical lift highway bridges are quite rare. This one features a Warren pony truss lift span with the main span hoisted by cables from machinery housed in two steel towers containing concrete counterweights. In 1999, the bridge underwent rehabilitation to maintain its functionality which is when the bascule bridge was built. There is no toll to cross in either direction. There is a small park on the east bank to the south of the bridges or you can briefly park in the grocery store on the north side. Both bridges have a pedestrian walkway next to the outside lane. There is also a walkway under the bridge on the west bank but I wouldn't recommend going there after dark. I did hang around for a bit but did not get the opportunity to see either bridge lift today. [Review 328 of 2025 - 1983 in Florida - 23890 overall]

The old Sulphur Springs Bank building is a cool historical site. It's right behind the theater (now…read morea recording studio space) and a couple blocks from the Sulphur Springs pool complex (around a spring) and in sight of the River Tower and greyhound track where a shopping arcade was once located. The area developed rapidly as a tourist attraction around springs along the Hillsborough River. A flood along the river in 1933 and the Great Depression ended its run. Here's more info and a tour guide for the area: http://heritagelab.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/walkingtour.pdf

There are two bridges that provide access to and from Davis Islands. This is the one for getting…read moreback to Tampa, where the Columbia Drive Bridge is for getting onto the islands. Yes, the bridges are one way. The bridge's origins trace back to the early twentieth century, when the area around the Tampa Bay Hotel was transforming from a remote outpost into a connected urban district. Henry Plant had already insisted that Lafayette Street be extended and bridged to support his hotel, and that same logic of connectivity carried southward along the river. This bridge takes you directly past Tampa General Hospital. The design is restrained and businesslike, low concrete railings, rhythmic balusters, and a profile that sits lightly on the water. The structure's is on durability and continuity rather than spectacle and while it's been reinforced and updated in the decades since construction, the basic form remains consistent with the city's early twentieth century approach to river infrastructure, where even the quieter bridges were designed to harmonize with the riverfront rather than dominate it. There is no toll to cross the simple and steady link across the river. [Review 140 of 2026 - 2247 in Florida - 25330 overall]