Port Tampa (1900)
Railroad tycoon Henry Plant developed Port Tampa as part of his Plant System, which included a liner shipping service to Cuba. His investment proved well timed, as Tampa played a key role in shipping troops and equipment to Cuba when the Spanish-American War broke out in 1898. Of note is the passenger depot, with the larger of the two buildings being a hotel for railway passengers heading overseas. Other business handled by Port Tampa were shipments of Florida citrus fruit while a major import was leaf tobacco for Tampa and Ybor City’s many cigar factories.
Nothing survives today from this view. Port Tampa was located south of the city. Later port developments occurred to the east, in the Channelside area.
Port Tampa (1900)
Railroad tycoon Henry Plant developed Port Tampa as part of his Plant System, which included a liner shipping service to Cuba. His investment proved well timed, as Tampa played a key role in shipping troops and equipment to Cuba when the Spanish-American War broke out in 1898. Of note is the passenger depot, with the larger of the two buildings being a hotel for railway passengers heading overseas. Other business handled by Port Tampa were shipments of Florida citrus fruit while a major import was leaf tobacco for Tampa and Ybor City’s many cigar factories.
Nothing survives today from this view. Port Tampa was located south of the city. Later port developments occurred to the east, in the Channelside area.