Tampa’s origins stem from the Spanish
explorers Juan Ponce de Leon & Hernando De Soto trying to settle
the Tampa Bay area. In the early 1800’s, Tampa saw a series of
wars from the Seminole Indians to the civil war. Thanks to the
Florida Central and Peninsula railroad and a steamship line
traveling between the Port of Tampa and Cuba brought progress to
Tampa.
With the completion of the Lafayette Street
Bridge (Kennedy Blvd) in 1898, “South Tampa” started its
movement across the Hillsborough River into neighboring area. A
Platt Street Bridge named for one of the local developers was
constructed identically to the Cass Street Bridge in 1924 to
relieve a build up of congestion. Before the 7 mile esplanade
along Bayshore Blvd. was constructed the area was commonly known
as the mud flats of Tampa Bay. Charming houses and large mansion
can be found along the waterside.
South Tampa’s neighborhoods include Ballast
Point, Palma Ceia, Bayshore Beautiful, Bayshore Gardens, Davis
Islands, Harbour Island, Westshore, Beach Park, Golfview,
Virginia Park, Bel Mar, Bel Mar Shores, New Suburb Beautiful
and, the famous Hyde Park area. South Tampa is proud of their
heritage with the seven mile sidewalk used for physical fitness
and, thriving businesses with an upscale nightlife.
