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

Old Government Spring

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, 2001

1. Old Government Spring Marker

Inscription. For centuries, Tocobaga Indians drew water from this deep natural spring. When U.S. Army troops arrived in 1824, they quickly discovered this natural resource. Twice a day, government wagons hauled water to Fort Brooke. Despite a strong taste of iron and sulfur, the waters of "Old Government Spring" provided supplies for Fort Brooke, Tampa and Ybor City for more than a century.

In 1882, the U.S. government deeded the property to Martha Brown, who sold this spring to her son-in-law, Capt. John T. Lesley. In 1886, Cyrus Snodgrass purchased the spring property and built the Ybor City Ice Works on this site.

In 1895, the spring served as a swimming and health resort, called the Ybor City Natatorium. In 1896, Florida's first brewery was erected here. The Florida Brewing Company produced La Tropical Beer and Ale until it closed in the early 1960s.

Erected 1998 by Hillsborough County Historical Advisory Council.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1824.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

It was located near 27° 57.522′ N, 82° 26.701′ W. Marker was in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. It was in Ybor City. It was at the intersection of North 13th Street and East 5th Avenue, on the left when traveling south on North 13th Street. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Tampa FL 33605, 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: A different marker also named Old Government Spring (within shouting distance of this marker); Cradle of Cuban Liberty (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rough Riders (about 600 feet

Paid Advertisement

away); Sociedad La Union Marti-Maceo (about 700 feet away); Ybor City Historic District (about 700 feet away); Jose Marti (about 700 feet away); Antonio Maceo Grajales (about 700 feet away); Sweet Taste of Ybor City (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Tampa's Oldest Restaurant (was about 800 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Regarding Old Government Spring. There is some debate on the exact location of the spring though it is within the general vicinity where this marker was located.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Marker At This Location also titled "Old Government Spring".

Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 952 times since then and 56 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on February 26, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.