'East Ybor Gateway' monument marks return of lost neighborhood

A new monument being called "East Ybor Gateway" marks the return of a neighborhood that some thought would be lost forever. A long time resident helped rediscover it.

Famous beer brewed in Tampa more than a century ago makes comeback

Manny Portuondo, the CEO of Cerveceria La Tropical, fought to get the international trademarks of the beer that was first brewed in Cuba in the 1880s on land originally owned by his ancestors. The beer was a top seller in Cuba and Tampa for decades until larger beers squeezed it out in Tampa and the Communist Revolution came to Cuba.

'Enjoying their legacy': Sunken Gardens opens history center to public

Sunken Gardens’ History Center is now officially open to the public. City leaders in St. Petersburg, along with the family that founded the Gardens more than a century ago cut the ribbon Monday morning.

Compromise allows new high-rise condo tower to replace historic building in downtown Tampa

The developer, Kolter Urban, will be allowed to demolish the Tarr building, but design elements from the building will be incorporated into the street-level facade of the new “One Tampa” tower.

Gas Plant District in St. Pete: One of the oldest Black neighborhoods razed for baseball

Before the Tampa Bay Rays, there was the Gas Plant neighborhood, where hundreds of Black residents once worked, played, and lived until the city decided to pursue an MLB team and build a stadium. Their story, while complex, isn't just about baseball and broken promises.

St. Pete and baseball: A relationship that spans over a century

St. Pete's relationship with baseball starts in 1914, near Coffee Pot Bayou. Within a century, seven major league teams held spring training in the city and a total of 193 Hall of Famers played ball in the city.

From Gas Plant resident to St. Pete mayor, Ken Welch's life comes full circle

In the 1980s, St. Pete began its pursuit of baseball and had to find a place to build a stadium. They ultimately decided to build it in the Gas Plant District, dislocating hundreds of Black residents in the segregated, but thriving community. One of those residents was St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch.

Historic Hacienda Hotel opens its doors to the public again following major renovations

One of Tampa Bay's grand, pink hotels is set to reopen this week. No, not the Don Cesar or The Vinoy. It's The Hacienda in New Port Richey – a lesser-known hot spot for the rich and famous in the early 20th century.

Nearly 200 acres of Old Miakka land to be preserved as developments push East in Sarasota County

Cow pastures and the rural way of life are slowly disappearing in Sarasota County as developments continue to push East. Now, nearly 200 acres of land will remain untouched and forever preserved in Old Miakka. 

'His life matters': Marker for Tampa lynching victim set up along Riverwalk

Tampa's Riverwalk is lined with markers and busts that tell the city's rich history and share the stories of some of its most-well known residents. On Monday, a little-known name was added among the past mayors and movers and shakers that left their marks on the city.

'Piece of Tampa history': Perfectly preserved Tampa cigars return more than 100 years later

The J.C. Newman Cigar Factory in Ybor City recently received something they'd never seen before in more than 100 years of cigar making. It was a wooden box with 20 perfectly preserved cigars inside that were made in Tampa 116 years ago.

Some residents push to add 'Dobyville' to Hyde Park's historic district

Some residents in the Hyde Park area of Tampa want to expand local historic district designation and protection to include where a formerly thriving Black neighborhood once existed.

Downtown Lakeland's historic Kress Building will no longer be home to Explorations V Children's Museum

The museum will move to the new Bonnet Springs Park development. As for the Kress, the soon-to-be owner says it will maintain the building's historic façade while possibly converting it to an event venue and office space.

City of Tampa celebrates 135th birthday with Archives Awareness Week

To celebrate Tampa's 135th birthday, the Hillsborough County Public Library and Tampa Bay History Center is offering courses during Archive Awareness Week on preserving old photos, heirlooms and how to peruse archives.

'It revolutionized the city': Tampa, cigar industry's growth woven through history

The City of Tampa turns 135 years old on July 15, and part of its birthday celebration includes Archives Awareness Week. Local archivists will present collections and hold discussions at various historic Tampa institutions.

40-year-old son recently discovers dad was one of the famous smokejumpers of WWII

Jerome Corbett was forty years old before he figured out that his dad was one of the famous smokejumpers, a member of the Triple Nickels in World War II.

Tampa Bay history: Fort De Soto Park and its 45-star flag

Fort De Soto Park and the 45-star flag that's in front of the Battery Laidley represents a particular part of Tampa Bay history.

Local author writes books about the history of Tampa's mafias

If you could turn back time in Tampa, you’d see the Cigar City has a thousand stories, including the ones in the book Cigar City Mafia by Scott Deitche.