Sunland Tribune
Volume 34 Article 2
2017
A Perspective on Preservation in Tampa: The Anglo Side of Town
L. Glenn Westfall
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Recommended Citation Westfall, L. Glenn (2017) "A Perspective on Preservation in Tampa: The Anglo Side of Town," Sunland Tribune: Vol. 34 , Article 2. https://www.doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5038/2575-2472.34.1 Available at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/sunlandtribune/vol34/iss1/2
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A Perspective on Preservation in Tampa: The Anglo Side of Town
L. Glenn Westfall
Today, the only reminders of an Ybor City and West Tampa. But the city was 1892 landmark Hillsborough Courthouse are on the verge of change. stenciled on the side of County vehicles. Locals still reminisced about the Designed and built in 1892 by nationally warehouses demolished along the renowned architect J. A. Wood in a Moorish Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa, architectural revival style, it was built sending hundreds of river rats running over simultaneously along with Henry B. Plant’s the feet of frightened downtowners on magnificent Tampa Bay Hotel on the other lunch break. The city skyline was side of the Hillsborough River. silhouetted with a water tower on top of In 1953, a valiant but unsuccessful the Knight and Wall building, disguised as effort to save the Courthouse from an “Early Times” whiskey bottle. It too was demolition was led by Mrs. William Hunter, soon demolished. member of the Tampa branch of the Just between Tampa and the new Daughters of the American Revolution. University of South Florida, opened in 1960, Unfortunately, this was a time in American is a suburb known as Sulphur Springs. The history when cities did not fully appreciate Maves Hotel and Arcade was a focal point, the significance of landmark structures. In situated at the corners of Nebraska Avenue the following decades, many historic and Bird Street. With classical white arches structures were demolished, found today on the front façade, it was one of Florida’s only in archival records. first indoor shopping centers on the first After moving from San Francisco to floor, with 39 rooms and apartments on the Tampa Bay in 1968, I witnessed Tampa’s second level. The Sulphur Springs Tourist loss of several unique historic buildings. It Club on the Hillsborough River had a forty- was apparent there was a need to broadly foot water slide and a gator farm. expand public knowledge of history and Constructed in the mid-1920s, these architectural preservation. City blocks of buildings acquired a national reputation as cigar casitas, factories or family owned popular tourist attractions. Locals and businesses were demolished when tourists enjoyed swimming in the mineral Interstates I-4 and I- 75 cut through the water of the springs, but the peculiar heart and soul of its Latino communities, combination of sulphur with orange
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blossoms in the springtime were often information on railroad tycoon Henry B. described on postcards. Plant. There was an imposing vista of Dr. Covington made me an Tampa on a balcony on top of the white aficionado of Tampa History by introducing 214-foot Sulphur Springs water tower. Built me to local “movers and shakers.” They over an artesian well, it supplied water to included Leland Hawes, Herbert McKay, local residents who didn’t seem to mind the Hampton Dunn, Theodore Lesley, John D. malodorous water. In 1951, the Tower Ware, Margaret Chapman, E. J. Salcines, Drive-In Theater was added as yet another Roland Manteiga, Jim and Martha Ferman, attraction. and Tony Pizzo. Sulphur Springs was a unique In 1970, when I was invited to community unto itself, only a few miles present a lecture discussing my research on from downtown. But by the early 1970s, in Tampa’s Latino Communities, Dr. Covington spite of efforts to save the Arcade from introduced me to a Tampa Historical Society demolition for a parking lot, only the water (THS) founder, Nonita Cuesta Henson, tower, the Springs Theater, and the springs whose grandfather Angel L. Cuesta was a remain. The ambiance of Sulphur Springs legend in Tampa’s cigar trade. After the was all but forgotten to urban sprawl. Other lecture Nonita invited me to her home to than the still-imposing tower, Sulphur view her private collection of cobalt blue, Springs is now a blighted, neglected corner gold lettering Cuesta Rey stock certificates. of town. A cigar band label collection included rare Coca-Cola bands from the late 1920s, The most memorable individual I originally placed on a limited edition of first met in Tampa was Dr. James Cuesta Rey cigars. Nonita was a morale Covington, Professor of History at the booster and financial supporter in University of Tampa. After arriving in the establishing an historical organization, 1950s, he was involved in one of Tampa’s encouraging me to become further first historical organizations, the involved. Hillsborough County Historical Commission. But by the 1970s, it was nearly defunct, Prior to the actual incorporation of serving primarily as a repository for a few THS, there were several months of artifacts stored in the Courthouse. organizational discussions held at Nonita’s home to establish an official non-profit My first visit with Dr. Covington organization. In 1970 I gave Nonita and Dr. sparked his interest when I told him about Covington copies of the Articles of my father’s life with the Florida Seminoles Incorporation for the Florida Historical in the early 1920s, one of the few white Society. They copied it verbatim, submitting men to witness the sacred Green Corn it to the State of Florida, and on May 26, Dance. Dr. Covington, a noted authority on 1971, Tampa Historical Society was officially the Seminoles, was also a wealth of registered as a non-profit organization.
https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/sunlandtribune/vol34/iss1/2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5038/2575-2472.34.1 7 Westfall: A Perspective on Preservation in Tampa
In the ensuing years, lectures and community to record personal observations events were periodically held in various city and memories in an official journal. The locations. Temporary headquarters were Sunland Tribune, an annual highlight for established in room 434 at the University of members, was sent out each fall to their Tampa, compliments of Dr. Covington. homes. It continued recording significant Formative meetings were an opportunity to stories and aspects of Tampa History that meet board members. Hampton Dunn otherwise would have otherwise been invited me to join him on a number of his forgotten to time. speaking trips throughout Florida. E. J. The University of South Florida soon Salcines and Anthony Pizzo gave me initiated its own historical journal, Tampa invaluable insights to the Latino Bay History, which primarily published communities while Theodore Lesley invited articles by USF professors. (It is currently me to go through his file cabinets published jointly by the USF Libraries and overflowing with local historical papers and the Tampa Bay History Center.) documents regarding the sale of family land to V. M. Ybor. By 1977, I was appointed to the THS Board as an ongoing search was The need to preserve a disappearing underway to acquire appropriate history was evident at the death of headquarters. Out of a long list of possible Theodore Lesley. After heirs took what they locations, the most affordable and wanted, the remaining historical files were historically relevant was 245 South Hyde placed in a garage sale. Papers were Park, the original 1890 honeymoon cottage scattered across the floor as a viable local of Col. Peter O. Knight. collection was destroyed. This unfortunate loss further catalyzed the need to preserve In the late 1880s, the Lafayette Tampa History. Bridge built over the Hillsborough River gave access to a new Hyde Park residential In 1974, Tony Pizzo brought to the community. By 1890, a honeymoon cottage Board’s attention an 1882 article in the was constructed at 245 South Hyde Park Sunland Tribune, reporting: “Tampa should Avenue for Peter O. Knight and his new have a Historical Society without delay.” bride. The newlyweds lived at this address Ninety-two years later, the first issue of the until a larger, more commodious home was new, revived Sunland Tribune was built. Col. Knight soon became a prominent published, supported by local businesses figure in Tampa, serving as a public servant, and member contributions. Col. George lawyer, and President of the Tampa Electric Mercer Brook was portrayed on the front Company. cover of the first edition with an article about his impact on early Tampa. The yearly Symbolically, two love birds were publication expanded through the 1990s, carved and placed above the front porch of offering publishing access for local residents the honeymoon cottage. It contained 5 as well as scholars. This was the first rooms with an apartment connected to the opportunity for members of the Tampa back though a hallway in what is now the
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Board Room. An outhouse stood along the The interior floors of the cottage, driveway, functional until an indoor constructed with durable termite-proof restroom was added. The driveway and Dade County pine, were sanded and sidewalks were multi-colored hexagonal refinished while extensive shelving was blocks typical of the original Hyde Park installed in the designated Board Room. neighborhood. Walls were refurbished with Victorian wallpaper donated by interior designer In the 1950s and early 1960s, Hyde Stapleton Gooch. While interior renovation Park declined as new suburbs became more was taking place I restored the apartment attractive. Houses could be purchased for while assisting in the cottage’s interior and affordable prices. 1977 was the ideal time exterior renovation. to acquire the honeymoon cottage at $25,000. The cottage was accepted by the The exterior badly needed painting: Board and an additional $20,000 was the roof was leaking and the front porch collected and donated for renovation by the had serious wood rot and termite damage. Junior League of Tampa and anonymous Front and backyards were frequented by individuals. transients as a place to sleep. Soon after I moved into the apartment, one transient Tampa Historical Society now had attempted to build a fire on the front porch its long awaited home. The first official to keep warm in the winter until I drove him meeting at the Knight House to discuss off. Garden landscaping was added along interior renovation was in fall, 1977. The with a sprinkling system serving a dual interior was badly in need of repair. Stained purpose: it watered newly installed plants wall paper was peeling off the walls, dust and went off at night to discourage was everywhere and an abandoned transients. As an added security, a wrought mattress was the only piece of furniture. iron fence was installed in the front yard Among members present were myself, with a gate in the driveway. An existing Martha Ferman, and Lisa Barrow, Junior chain link fence on three sides of the League representative. Martha, lovingly property offered badly needed privacy and referred to as “the Godmother of THS” security. joked that sitting on a mattress in a house with no furniture was an unexpected A barren back yard was gradually adventure for a Southern Lady. When I converted into a lovely Victorian garden mentioned I was soon planning to move, with support from the Tampa Garden Club Martha said, in her charming Southern and THS volunteers. Ninety-year-old mango, accent, “Well honey, why don’t you just mulberry and alligator pear trees supplied move into the apartment and make yourself bonanzas of fruit until a hard frost severely at home?” That’s when Tampa Historical damaged them. The rear flower garden Society became my home for a decade often served as an informal meeting place while serving as a volunteer, Board or for serving refreshments during in-house member, President, and Executive Director. events.
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Thanks again to the Junior League’s creating a camaraderie previously lacking in outreach, Tampans generously donated Tampa. With her continued exposure of THS period furniture to create a Victorian parlor to the public, we increased membership to and office in the front rooms with a board over 300--a larger number when you room and designated display room. The consider most memberships included back room originally served as a dining couples. Her promotional articles were room with a small kitchen. mainstays for THS, expanding its influence, prestige, and awareness throughout the The “Golden Years” of THS began community. with a unique opportunity to promote Tampa’s historical and cultural legacies. I met and befriended members and a When I gave a lecture in the early succession of Presidents, an experience 1980s to discuss research on the impact of which tapped into the heart and soul of the cigar industry in Key West and Florida, I Tampa. THS was filling a void in the used slides of Tampa cigar labels and community: no other local organization factories from the archives of the Tobacco successfully promoted local history by Merchants Association in New York City. (I engaging directly with members of the later arranged to have their monumental community while offering a sense of pride collection of weekly tobacco newspapers to Tampa’s diverse residents. Our historical from the 1870s to the 1950s donated to the reputation was enhanced when I served as Special Collections department at the a liaison with the University of South Florida University of South Florida. During my and Hillsborough Community College presentation, I described one image on a History Departments, who periodically Tampa label as a “uniquely portrayed buck- supported and promoted educational toothed woman from a 1890s cigar label for lectures presented by THS by offering free the Emilio Pons cigar factory.” After the lecture space. lecture, a woman with a striking By far, our most influential member resemblance to the “uniquely portrayed and early supporter was Betty Phipps, woman” came up to me and said, “You editor for the society page of the Tampa know that woman you showed in that slide, Tribune, a contributor to articles in the that was my mutha!” Sunland Tribune, and a lifelong supporter of This is when I met Carmen Toney local history. Betty graduated from Florida and her brother, Emilio Pons, Jr. They later State when it was still a school for girls. She invited me to their home and complained loved attending THS events while the historical marker in front of their eloquently describing them to her father’s Ybor City cigar factory was incorrect enthusiastic readers. This free publicity was since it claimed their father was a native invaluable, helping increase membership as Tampan. Together we corrected this error Tampans with an historical flair avidly read by documenting that: “Emilio Sr. moved her articles. Betty singlehandedly acquired from Cuba to Key West where he was a more new members than anyone else,
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factory owner and officer in the Partido Frost spent 15 winters. Many participating Revolucionario Cubano. He migrated to members were decendants of Key Westers Tampa in 1887, following his Key West and shared their family connections to friend and mentor, Vicente Martinez Ybor.” Florida’s first major cigar city. They generously offered to donate a One of the most memorable events massive hand carved side-table given to was the visit of the tall ship The Western their father as a wedding gift from V. M. Union to Tampa. Originally built in 1939, it Ybor, but it was too large to fit in our was a “cable tender” connecting Florida rooms. It was later donated to the Ybor City cities, the Caribbean islands, and South State Museum. Carmen and Emilio were America. The magnificent sailing ship is the among our most supportive members. only surviving authentic working tall ship in As President, I edited a new Florida. The Western Union was newsletter, Tampa Historical Horizons, with permanently docked in Key West where I an elongated 1940s photo of downtown befriended the Captain. He was easily Tampa along that top front page. The four- convinced to stop by Tampa en route to the to six-page newsletter contained a monthly annual ship inspection in Tarpon Springs. It President’s Report, announcements of was a break for the crew and an experience upcoming events, reports on previous for our members. lectures or events, and periodic requests for An on-ship celebration ensued upon volunteers. THS member Joe B. Clay printed arrival to Davis Islands. THS members were it at cost, allowing our limited budget to given a detailed explanation of The Western increase our impact on the community, Union’s history. The following morning as while volunteers Kaki Parrish and Lois the ship left Tampa Bay, the crew witnessed Latimer were available each month to send the rare St. Elmo’s fire. Under rare and it out to members. proper conditions, this weather In addition to the newsletter and the phenomenon creates a bright glowing blue Sunland Tribune, THS periodically offered light enveloping a ship and is considered a lectures promoting Tampa’s historic good omen to sailors. connections to Florida, Cuba, Spain, and Another successful yearly event was Italy. Because of Tampa’s historical ties to the revival of the Old Timer’s Reunion. With fellow cigar city Key West, two tours were the support of Junior League volunteer arranged to the island city. Nancy Skemp (later THS President) a gala The first joined the annual Key West celebration was held at the grand ballroom tour of historic homes. A year later a second of the Tampa Bay Hotel at the University of Key West tour joined the “La Verbena,” Tampa. Harpsichordists offered delightful celebration and lecture at the San Carlos background music while an elegant dinner Club. It included a visit to the Porter was served. The oldest of the Old Timers Mansion and tea party in the tropical back were recognized. Interviews recorded their yard adjacent to a cottage where Robert histories and memories of the past. There
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was an amusing response to the event from the history of the bakery. Rats periodically supporters Lester and Yetive Olsen who skittered across the floor as occasional jokingly said, “The event was terrific, but we screams interrupted the lecture. This will hear enough harp music in heaven, no “before” experience was later followed by a need to play it now!” tour of the completed museum a year later. The Oaklawn Cemetery Ramble was Another project of THS was to revitalized under the presidency of Betty support and expand the Hillsborough Nelson. Betty devoted attention to reviving County Historic Marker program, a favorite the event with a request in the Tampa project promoted by Tony Pizzo. One of the Historical Horizons for members with family more memorable Marker events was when at Oaklawn to record stories for the tour. Billy Graham visited Tampa, honored with What at first sounded like a rather macabre an historical marker on Franklin Street event was an annual highlight. In where he began his lifelong crusade. preparation, a concerted effort to clean up A progressive dinner held in the abandoned cemetery grounds was cooperation with Tampa Preservation Inc. undertaken by THS members, the City of began with cocktails and appetizers at the Tampa, and Charlie Spicola’s community Knight House, followed by a stroll across the involved Rough Riders. Overturned grave street to the Hutchinson House for an stones were up-righted, ankle high grass elegant dinner, (headquarters of Tampa and weeds were cut, and broken gates were Preservation, Inc.,) followed with dessert repaired. The Oaklawn Cemetery Ramble and entertainment on the third floor helped restore and preserve a previously ballroom of a nearby mansion. abandoned Tampa landmark. After every tour, participants enjoyed refreshments and As THS matured, the annual D. B. favorite dessert recipes of Tampa families. McKay awards dinner was held at the As “The Ramble” continued over the years, Tampa Yacht and Country Club. Each year, a it collected new in-depth stories about person contributing to Florida History was Oaklawn residents. honored, the most colorful being Mel Fisher who discovered the Atocha and Santa Anna Betty Nelson also promoted the Maria galleons filled with silver, gold, and unveiling of the soon- to- be-opened Ybor emeralds. He surprised the audience by City State Museum, formerly the Ferlita wearing his famous “money chain,” a gold Bakery, selected as the new home for a looped necklace flowing to his knees. A local historical museum. The State of Florida notorious drinker, Mel downed quite a few hired me as a consultant to develop the drinks before offering a gold link to any themes and collection of artifacts for “interested” ladies. display. We arranged a THS kick-off “before” event held in the bakery prior to By the time I left THS in 1989, there renovation. Guests were seated amidst a were several problems limiting its growth. large dough mixer, cake pans, and piles of The organization did not have a large scattered bakery records for a lecture on meeting place, there were no computer
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capabilities, and no parking facilities. THS Another example of the microcosm- wanted to grow but it was unable to meet macrocosm approach to Tampa History was City building codes in order to expand when I discovered water-stained cigar facilities. As the Tampa Bay History Center labels found on the floors of deserted, evolved and grew, THS membership soon-to-be demolished cigar factories. This dwindled. resulted in studying stone lithographic printing of cigar labels. In New York City I After moving to Santa Fe, I was spent three summers de-assessing invited to the History Department of the hundreds of thousands of pre-1900 to post University of New Mexico (UNM) to discuss 1930s cigar labels once belonging to over my experiences in helping establish a local thirty nineteenth century New York historical organization, how it successfully lithographic firms. Rare Tampa labels, served the community, and its relationship previously unknown, were discovered in to the broader scope of history. As a result Master Reference Books and in one-of-a- of this symposium, UNM offers a course kind proof books. I arranged to have a referred to as the “Microcosm-Macrocosm” section of the collection, referred to as the approach to history. One example I offered Kane Greenberg Collection, donated to the of this local to international historical University of South Florida Special approach included my research on Tampa’s Collections Department. Latino enclave Ybor City, exemplified by studying local records then expanding to As I began researching Florida labels researching the name Ybor while printed in Europe, I contacted Klingenberg researching for my Doctoral degree at the Printers in Detmold, Germany and was University of Florida. I discovered the Ybor appointed Archivist to Europe’s second name dates back to an Eighth-century oldest printers. On my first visit I was taken Moorish “Ibor” family. The Ibor’s controlled to an old horse barn to see a massive an Iberian caliphate in what is now Eastern collection of cigar labels and proof books Portugal and Southwestern Spain, where stored there since World War 2. For the the towns, river and plains called “Ibor” still next six summers I organized and exist. Researching Ybor City was like established the Klingenberg Archives. In the collecting pieces of a jig saw puzzle, collection were undiscovered one-of-a kind eventually placing them into a larger pre-1900 lithographic cigar label treasures picture. (The family name “Ibor” was printed for Florida’s cigar centers Key West, changed to Ybor when Don Vicente Marti City, West Tampa, and Ybor City. Martinez Ibor fled a revolution in Cuba in Today, the UNM History 1868 to Key West. The Spanish “I” Department’s ongoing microcosm- (pronounced in Spanish as an “E”) was macrocosm program promotes history changed since the letter “Y” in English based on stories and events of local allowed the correct sound “E” in the family residents, connecting local history with name. Few individuals in Tampa today are national and international events, and aware of this significant fact.)
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works with local historical organizations in a and inspiration of newly-elected President cooperative manner. Angela Morgan Spicola, a new page was turned in Tampa History. This new After moving to Santa Fe, I kept in generation of leadership hopes to combine touch with Tampa friends and colleagues the best of THS’s past while developing who told me of the gradual demise of THS. innovative, interactive programs for the By 2016, there were only three THS future. members, while the honeymoon cottage and landscaping were in deplorable Fortunately, I was accidently in condition. The City of Tampa threatened Tampa to attend an April 27, 2017 event condemnation of the building and grounds reminiscent of the heydays at the Peter O. if they were not properly repaired, Knight cottage. Fifty-six years later, the restored, and maintained. Knight House was again filled with history enthusiasts and stimulating conversations. A new generation of historical It was an inspiration to participate in this aficionados responded. Once again, Charlie renaissance to restore what was once a Spicola and his Rough Riders came the viable organization for the community. I rescue of THS. A new board seeks to applaud the efforts of President Angela restore the once viable organization. The Morgan Spicola, the Board, the Rough Rough Riders and volunteers spent weeks Riders, and new members. Their new trimming and cutting bushes and trees in groundbreaking historical perspectives and the once beautiful back yard. They replaced leadership will renew THS for the benefit of rotted wood on the front porch while local residents and the city of Tampa. repainting the exterior. With the leadership
Dr. Loy Glenn Westfall lives in Santa Fe New Mexico where he is active in The Wheelwright Museum of Native American Arts, The Ralph. T. Coe Foundation for the Arts, The New Mexico History Museum, The International Folk Arts Museum and promotes authentic Native American art projects in Gallup, New Mexico for the annual Navajo Ceremonial. In October 2016 he opened an exhibit at the New Mexico History Museum entitled OUT OF THE BOX: THE ART OF THE CIGAR. It was recently promoted by U.S.A. TODAY as one of the top eleven “Must–See” museum exhibits in the United States. It will be on display until March, 2018. He is currently documenting his past preservation efforts in Ybor City and Key West.
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