Downtown in Tampa in Hillsborough County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Captain Joseph Fry

Tampa's First Native Son Died for Cuban Liberty

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, January 28, 2016

1. Captain Joseph Fry Marker

Inscription. Captain Joseph Fry was born in Tampa (Fort Brooke) June 14, 1826. As a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he served with the Navy throughout the world. When the Civil War broke out, Fry fought with courage and capacity for the South in the Confederate Navy.

During the Ten Years' War, the first Cuban insurrection, Fry was captain of the S.S. Virginius, a blockade runner. Sailing with guns and 300 rebels, Tampa's hero headed for Cuba. The Virginius was captured by the Spaniards, and Capt. Fry with 53 freedom fighters were executed before a firing squad at Santiago De Cuba, Nov. 7, 1873. History honors Capt. Fry as "The Cuban Martyr."

Erected by Ybor City Rotary Club with the cooperation of the Tampa Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil • Wars, Non-US. In addition, it is included in the Rotary International series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 7, 1873.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 27° 56.523′ N, 82° 27.453′ W. Marker was in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough

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County. It was in Downtown. It was at the intersection of South Ashley Drive and Channelside Drive, on the right when traveling north on South Ashley Drive. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Tampa FL 33602, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was on Florida’s Tampa Bay.

It was also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Site of Mirabella Fish Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Fort Brooke (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Bayshore Boulevard (about 600 feet away); World's First Scheduled Commercial Airline (about 600 feet away); Jose Gasparilla (approx. 0.2 miles away); Florida's First Catholic Martyrs

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Officers Quarters Fort Brooke (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tampa Salutes MacDill AFB (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.

Other markers no longer nearby. Timuquan Indian Mound (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); Fort Brooke-Confederate Battery (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed); Dominican Proto-Martyrs of America (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 13, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 865 times since then and 47 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on February 13, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.