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

Tampa Bay Hotel

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, July 28, 2022

1. Tampa Bay Hotel Marker

After restoration.

Inscription. Henry B. Plant built this ornate Moorish structure at a cost of $3 million. Opened in 1891, it became the social and cultural center of early Tampa. During the Spanish American War it was headquarters for troops going to Cuba and housed such visitors as Col. Theodore Roosevelt, Clara Barton, Richard Harding Davis and Gen. Nelson Miles. Purchased by the City of Tampa in 1905, it has served as the main building of the University of Tampa since 1933.

Erected 1961 by Florida Board of Parks and Historic Memorials. (Marker Number F-31.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, Spanish-American. In addition, it is included in the Clara Barton, the Former U.S. Presidents: #26 Theodore Roosevelt, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 27° 56.751′ N, 82° 27.807′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. Marker is on West Kennedy Boulevard near University Drive, on the right when traveling west. Just after crossing Hillsborough River,at University of Tampa Campus. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tampa FL 33606, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. De Soto (within shouting distance of this marker); a different

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marker also named Tampa Bay Hotel (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tampa Bay Hotel, 1891 (about 400 feet away); Fort Brooke Battery (about 400 feet away); United Spanish War Veterans (about 400 feet away); The Spanish Fort (about 400 feet away); 400th Anniversary of the Landing of Panfilo de Narvaez (about 500 feet away); Babe's Longest Homer (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.

Also see . . .
1. Tampa Bay Hotel. The Henry B. Plant Museum is located in the south wing of Plant Hall (formerly the Tampa Bay Hotel). The Tampa Bay Hotel was built by railroad magnate Henry B. Plant at a cost of over 2.5 million dollars. (Submitted on June 17, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

2. Henry Bradley Plant , From Wikipedia. He owned the Plant System of railroads which became part of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. (Submitted on June 17, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009

2. Tampa Bay Hotel Marker

Tampa Bay Hotel Marker, as seen from W. Kennedy Blvd. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 6, 2009

3. Tampa Bay Hotel Marker, as seen from W. Kennedy Blvd.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 6, 2009

4. Tampa Bay Hotel Marker

the Tampa Bay Hotel and was famous for its fanciful Moorish and Victorian architecture. Example in distant background

Tampa Bay Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 6, 2009

5. Tampa Bay Hotel

The entire building (under the title of Tampa Bay Hotel) is a U.S. National Historic Landmark, designated as such on December 5, 1972.

Tampa Bay Hotel with the JFK Memorial at right. as seen from W. Kennedy Blvd. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009

6. Tampa Bay Hotel with the JFK Memorial at right. as seen from W. Kennedy Blvd.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 6, 2009

7. Tampa Bay Hotel

Henry Bradley Plant image. Click for full size.

Florida Photographic Collection

8. Henry Bradley Plant

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division , LC-D4-5846

9. Tampa Bay Hotel

Tampa Bay Hotel , National Historic Landmark image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 6, 2009

10. Tampa Bay Hotel , National Historic Landmark

Tampa Bay Hotel *** (added 1972 - Building - #72000322) • Also known as University of Tampa,Plant Hall • 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa • Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering, Person • Architect, builder, or engineer: Wood,J.A. • Architectural Style: Exotic Revival, Other • Historic Person: Plant,Henry Bradley • Significant Year: 1920, 1888 • Area of Significance: Military, Literature, Architecture • Period of Significance: 1875-1899, 1900-1924 • Owner: Local Gov't • Historic Function: Domestic • Historic Sub-function: Hotel • Current Function: Education • Current Sub-function: College •

Tampa Bay Hotel Grounds and park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 6, 2009

11. Tampa Bay Hotel Grounds and park

A statue called Au Coup de Fusil, or the Hunting Party, can be found right outside the hotel. These two bronze hounds were cast in France by Maurice Denonvilliers in 1890. Originally, they faced south rather than north, and their rapt attention was focused on a small bronze squirrel placed in a low hanging oak limb. However the squirrel eventually was stolen and the dogs were moved to their current location. Supposedly the two dogs represent Mr. Plant's personal favorite hunting dogs, and the hotel itself had kennels stocked with hunting dogs for guests use on hunting expeditions.

Tampa Bay Hotel park, "Sticks of Fire" sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 6, 2009

12. Tampa Bay Hotel park, "Sticks of Fire" sculpture

The Native American meaning of the word "Tampa"

Tampa Bay Hotel grounds include the Fort Brooke Tribute image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 6, 2009

13. Tampa Bay Hotel grounds include the Fort Brooke Tribute

See nearby markers

Tampa Bay Hotel, Henry B. Plant Memorial Fountain, opposite main entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 6, 2009

14. Tampa Bay Hotel, Henry B. Plant Memorial Fountain, opposite main entrance

Tampa Bay Hotel , 8 inch Gun , Spanish American, Teddy Roosevelt Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, June 6, 2009

15. Tampa Bay Hotel , 8 inch Gun , Spanish American, Teddy Roosevelt Memorial

Located on the south lawn, Tampa Bay Hotel

Credits. This page was last revised on July 31, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,253 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 31, 2022, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 17, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 6, 7. submitted on June 18, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 8. submitted on June 17, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 9. submitted on May 8, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 10. submitted on June 17, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 11, 12, 13. submitted on June 18, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 14. submitted on June 17, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 15. submitted on June 18, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.