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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
More than 200 collectables up for auction from North Tampa's vintage village 'Gallopsville'
More than 200 collectables from a vintage village in North Tampa will hit the auction block over the weekend.
More than 200 collectables from a vintage village in North Tampa will hit the auction block over the weekend.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tampa Bay forensic anthropologist's new book details torture, abuse uncovered at Dozier School
A forensic anthropologist who led a University of South Florida team that uncovered decades of torture and abuse at the Dozier School is revealing the details and emotions in a new book.
A forensic anthropologist who led a University of South Florida team that uncovered decades of torture and abuse at the Dozier School is revealing the details and emotions in a new book.
Tampa Rough Riders open museum to commemorate historic heroes
Tampa’s Rough Riders are a staple throughout the Bay Area, keeping the legacy of Teddy Roosevelt and the members of the 1st US Volunteer Cavalry Regiment alive. Now a museum exhibit is dedicated to educating the next generation about this historical era.
Tampa’s Rough Riders are a staple throughout the Bay Area, keeping the legacy of Teddy Roosevelt and the members of the 1st US Volunteer Cavalry Regiment alive. Now a museum exhibit is dedicated to educating the next generation about this historical era.
Historic Leonard Reid home relocated to new location in Sarasota to preserve history
History was literally on the move in Sarasota during the overnight hours as crews drove the Leonard Reid house from its original spot in Newtown to a new location to be part of the African American Cultural Arts Center.
History was literally on the move in Sarasota during the overnight hours as crews drove the Leonard Reid house from its original spot in Newtown to a new location to be part of the African American Cultural Arts Center.
Kelly Ring reflects on interview with convicted murderer Oba Chandler on death row
For locals who have been around long enough, the name "Oba Chandler" can still send shivers down their spines. For Kelly Ring, it was the most fear she ever felt in an interview during her 37-year career at FOX 13.
For locals who have been around long enough, the name "Oba Chandler" can still send shivers down their spines. For Kelly Ring, it was the most fear she ever felt in an interview during her 37-year career at FOX 13.
City of Tampa employee joins Florida's Emancipation Day celebration with special family connection
A City of Tampa employee joined the celebrations for Florida’s Emancipation Day in Tallahassee Friday, with a personal connection to the day in history.
A City of Tampa employee joined the celebrations for Florida’s Emancipation Day in Tallahassee Friday, with a personal connection to the day in history.
Local news goes global: Kelly Ring in Saudi Arabia for troop buildup before Desert Storm
In 1990, Kelly Ring traveled with a team of journalists from the Tampa Bay area and MacDill Air Force Base's Central Command to tell the story of the troop buildup before Desert Storm.
In 1990, Kelly Ring traveled with a team of journalists from the Tampa Bay area and MacDill Air Force Base's Central Command to tell the story of the troop buildup before Desert Storm.
The Ray brothers: Kelly Ring talks with Florida family years after children's deaths from AIDS
In the late 1980s, little was known about HIV and AIDS. A Central Florida family may have moved public awareness forward after their small children contracted the disease from blood transfusions. They're looking back on their tragedy and the hope they gained for others.
In the late 1980s, little was known about HIV and AIDS. A Central Florida family may have moved public awareness forward after their small children contracted the disease from blood transfusions. They're looking back on their tragedy and the hope they gained for others.