Tampa

Description

Tampa began as the small outpost of Fort Brooke, established by the US Army in 1824 on the coast of Tampa bay to help protect the strategically important harbor.

It stayed an small isolated settlement until 1884 when the Florida railroad magnate Henry B Plant organised the construction of a railroad with stops at Tampa at Port Tampa - sitting on the Interbay Peninsula.

On completion of the railway, Henry B Plant went on to establish a ferry taking passengers, goods and mail to Havana, Cuba.

Furthermore Plant also constructed a series of grand hotels in the region, among them the St Elmo Inn and Port Tampa Inn in Port Tampa, and the Tampa Bay Hotel on the banks of the Hillsbrough River.

The businessman Don Vincente Ybor was the next man to have a large influence on the rise of Tampa, when in the late 19th century, looking to profit from the Tampa- Havana ferry connections, set up a cigar-making plant in the city.

The factory owner built a model village to house the worlkers.

Tampa benefited from a second round of great commercial fortune when geological surveys revealed vast phosphate deposits, a vital constituent of fertilizer, to the east of the city.

Today the city has risen to become one of the major conurbations in Florida, hosting major businesses, and boasting a thriving port.

As a tourist to the city, a visit can cover the following. Visit the Florida Aquarium to see an amazing variety of sea-life. Board the SS American Victory to inspect a cargo vessel which made several hazardous trans- Atlantic runs in WWII. Stroll along Tampa's new Riverwalk to enjoy the atmosphere of the waterfront. Spend time at the Henry B Plant museum at the Tampa Bay Hotel to learn about Tampa's rich past. Or pass a day at the world famous Busch Gardens, guaranteed to provide lots of thrills!