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

The Tobacco War

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, June 21, 2021

1. The Tobacco War Marker

Inscription. On May 16, 1896, during Cuba's 1895 Revolution against Spanish rule, the Captain General of Cuba, Valeriano Weyler, enacted an embargo against Cuban tobacco to the United States. He was enraged by the revolutionary activities of the Ybor City tobacco workers, who donated a day's wages from every work week (El Dia De La Patria) for the cause of "Cuba Libre." Though a tremendous amount of tobacco was brought from Cuba just before the embargo took effect, it still caused a blow to Tampa's cigar industry.

On this site, along a stream known as "Two Mile Branch," the Neyland family established a tobacco plantation under glass producing 350 bales yearly. The Neylands helped save the cigar industry, and "tabaqueros" continued to contribute El Dia De La Patria through the end of the war.

Erected 2020 by The Hillsborough County Historical Advisory Council. Originally erected to the memory of Salvatore M. Italiano by the The Tampa Historical Society, 1995 Replacement marker funded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Hispanic Americans • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the William G. Pomeroy Foundation series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 16, 1896.

Location.

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27° 57.618′ N, 82° 25.671′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. It is in Ybor City. It is on East 7th Avenue (Florida Route 574) 0.1 miles west of I-4 Connector to the Leroy Selmon Expressway, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2900 E 7th Ave, Tampa FL 33605, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds 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 marker: Most Holy Name (approx. 0.3 miles away); Gary (approx. 0.3 miles away); Giunta Homestead and Farm (approx. 0.3 miles away); Columbia Restaurant (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Rough Riders Rode By Here (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Krewe of the Knights of Sant' Yago (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Coming of the Italians (approx. half a mile away); The 1937 Antifascist Women's March (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Tobacco War (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); First Citizen (was approx. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing).

The Tobacco War Marker looking east. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, June 21, 2021

2. The Tobacco War Marker looking east.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 431 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 1, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.