Ybor City Historic District facts for kids
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Ybor City Historic District
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Western entrance gate into Ybor City
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Tampa, Florida |
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| Area | 369 acres (149 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000641 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 28, 1974 |
| Designated NHLD | December 14, 1990 |
The Ybor City Historic District (pronounced EE-bor) is a special place in Tampa, Florida. It's recognized as a National Historic Landmark District by the U.S. government. This means it's a very important historical area. The district was officially named a landmark on December 14, 1990.
Ybor City is known for its unique buildings. Many of them show a mix of Spanish and Cuban styles. You can also see old cigar factories and other buildings from when the area was first built. A businessman named Vicente Martinez Ybor started developing this area in 1886. For a while, Ybor City was the world's top producer of cigars!
Exploring Ybor City's Past
What is the Ybor City Museum State Park?
The Ybor City Museum State Park is a great place to learn about the area's history. It's located in an old bakery building called the Ferlita Bakery. This building was originally named La Joven Francesca. You can find it on 9th Avenue.
What can you do at the museum?
At the museum, park rangers offer tours of the beautiful gardens. They also show visitors the "casitas," which were small homes where cigar factory workers lived. Inside the museum, you can see exhibits, old photos, and a video. These all tell the story of how Ybor City began and how the cigar-making industry grew there.
Who helps protect Ybor City's history?
The Latino Barrio Commission is a group that helps protect Ybor City. This committee includes people from the community, business leaders, architects, and local residents. Their main job is to make sure the historic buildings and the overall look of the district stay the same. They work to keep its special architectural style safe for the future.
Understanding the District Boundaries
How big is the Ybor City Historic District?
The original Ybor City area was quite large. It stretched roughly from 21st Avenue in the north to 22nd Street in the east. To the west, it reached Nebraska Avenue, and to the south, Adamo Drive.
How did the historic district grow?
In 1974, the main business area of Ybor City, especially around 7th Avenue, was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This was an important step in recognizing its history. Then, in 1990, the landmark district was made much bigger. This new area included many more of the old buildings that were still standing.
Why are there separate sections?
The Ybor City Historic District is actually made up of three separate parts. This happened because of two big changes. First, Interstate 4 was built, which cut through the area. Second, in 1965, a project called urban renewal took place. During this project, about 70 acres of historic buildings were taken down. The Nick Nuccio Parkway was also built at that time. These changes divided the historic district into its current separate sections.
Images for kids
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Western entrance gate into Ybor City
