Port Tampa-Interbay (Tampa), Florida
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Port Tampa is a neighborhood in the southwesternmost portion within the city limits of Tampa, Florida on the western end of the Interbay Peninsula. Within this neighborhood is Picnic Island Park as well as several public schools including Westshore Elementary, Monroe Middle School, and Robinson High School.
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[edit] History
- See also: History of Tampa, Florida
Port Tampa City was established in 1885, a town built around the end of the Henry B. Plant railroad line. Port Tampa was the primary port of embarkation for the Spanish-American War in Cuba. In June of 1898 Port Tampa and the city of Tampa hosted more than 33,000 visitors including military officers, enlisted men, nurses, civilian clerks, teamsters, packers, stevedores, war correspondents, tourists, and a host of foreign military observers. Wartime notables who passed through Port Tampa included Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders, the Buffalo Soldiers, Clara Barton of the American Red Cross, Richard Harding Davis, Stephen Crane, and Frederic Remington.
Though the city of Port Tampa was annexed by the City of Tampa in 1961, community members still recognize the neighborhood's heritage. A centennial celebration was held in 1993, complete with home tours, and a large block party in the Spanish-American War Memorial Park at the corner of Interbay Blvd. and Westshore Blvd.
A large neoclassical style building with marble base and glazed terracotta tile above, formerly used as a bank, was saved from demolition through a community effort spearheaded by the Port Tampa City Woman's Club and the Civic Association of Port Tampa. The renovated grand building was converted into the neighborhood's public library in 1998.
[edit] Boundaries
The exact boundaries for the current Port Tampa neighborhood are in question. Traditionally, the community has included all areas that are North of MacDill Air Force Base, East of Old Tampa Bay, South of Everett St. and West of Manhattan Ave., though many locals also include the areas between Manhattan Ave. and Dale Mabry Hwy., which is more commonly referred to as the "Interbay" neighborhoods. Another term commonly used to describe the Port Tampa/Interbay areas is the simple phrase, "South of Gandy" (or SOG, as used in local advertising).
The Port Tampa neighborhood is culturally, ethnically, and socio-economically diverse.
[edit] Claims to Fame
Hulk Hogan (real name Terry Bollea) grew up in the area and attended Robinson High School.[1]
[edit] References
Port Tampa City Women's Club. Port Tampa City: A History of Change. 2003.
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