Lakeland bungalow moved as part of man's mission to preserve history

You may have moved into a new house, but a Lakeland man is known for actually moving houses -- old ones that are historically torn down -- to save them from demolition.

Ca’ d’Zan restorations should carry historic mansion well into its second century

If John Ringling was the king of Sarasota in the early 20th Century, his home, Ca’ d’Zan, was his crown jewel. As it nears its 100th birthday, the historic mansion has been undergoing a few upgrades.

Scholarship fund established for descendants of Ocoee Massacre victims

It is a dark and often-overlooked chapter in Florida’s past; 100 years ago, the largest incident of voting day violence in U.S. history took place not far from Tampa Bay.  

Tampa aims for return of 'Honor to the Mothers of the World'

Outside a Tampa city warehouse, strapped in a crate, is an odd place to find a statue with a long history. Decades ago, families would come to the statue on Mother’s Day and lay flowers at her feet. 

Time flies: Tampa International Airport celebrates 50 years in the Bay Area

There was a time where TPA (TIA?) would have ended up where the University of South Florida is located today, or even in Pinellas County. But it "made sense" to use the old WWII base Drew Field, and residents have been loving their airport ever since.

Historic cigar factory gets modern makeover, keeps heart and soul of Tampa tradition intact 

The JC Newman Cigar Company is the only cigar factory in Ybor City that still hand-rolls cigars and it recently opened its doors to show off renovations to the 125-year-old building.

After 90 years, lectors return to Ybor cigar factory -- at least for one day

To mark the 111th anniversary of 'El Reloj,' the last working cigar factory in Tampa, Eric Newman and his family invited special guests to be lectors, the first to fill that role since the Tampa cigar factories did away with them in 1931. 

Weedon Island’s prehistoric past gives glimpse into Native American culture

At approximately 3700 acres, Weedon Island Preserve is an ecological jewel within an urban landscape on the shores of Old Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg, but few people know about its prehistoric past.

Tampa developer seeks historic designation for old cigar factory

At the height of the cigar industry in Tampa, there were more than 200 factories operating in our area.  Today, only 24 of those brick buildings remain.

History mystery surrounds pink Lakeland home

Christopher Satterfield is in the process of renovating a more-than-100-year-old historic pink Victorian-style home in the Dixieland neighborhood of Lakeland. He says there's evidence it was built by none other than Henry B. Plant.

Exhibit showcases Booker T. Washington's little-known visit to Tampa

Charles McGraw Grough, an associate professor of history at the University of Tampa, took a look at an important era in Tampa. His research is now a new exhibit on Booker T. Washington at the Henry B. Plant Museum. 

Past, present and future: Streetcar remains a staple in Tampa’s identity

If you want to get to Ybor City or to the new Water Street District, an automobile isn't the only way to go. There are HART's TECO Line streetcars, which are a common sight in downtown Tampa with a history in the city that dates back to 1885.

Owner of historic Derby Lane hopes luck hasn't run out yet

Ninety-five years after his great-grandfather found fortune with dog racing, the owner of Derby Lane in St. Petersburg hopes the site's second century is just as lucky.

Historic Shell Dash Cottage to be rebuilt in new location

For more than a century, history was hidden in plain sight on the cottage on 2nd Ave. North In St. Petersburg. The history is in the stucco that coats the 1909 structure, whose builders used coquina shells to form the texture, millions of shells.

How the Buccaneers helped define 'Tampa Bay'

The Bucs' worst-to-first story has become part of the fabric of the Tampa Bay Area. In fact, the effort to get the NFL to award the franchise helped lead to the name “Tampa Bay.”

Remembering Disney's 1991 Super Bowl halftime show

You have to go back a few years to remember this. It’s the Super Bowl halftime show from 30 years ago. You may even know some of the performers. Three decades later, it’s still remembered as a magical night.

Getting ready for the 1991 Super Bowl halftime show
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When Tampa Stadium hosted Super Bowl XXV in 1991, the Gulf War was underway. 2,000 Tampa-area kids were part of the show, along with The New Kids on the Block and Walt Disney stars like Mickey Mouse. Here?s Alan Wendt?s original report from 1991.