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

Charles Lafayette Knight

"Charley"

— May 31, 1928 - March 25, 1996 —

Charles Lafayette Knight Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, May 20, 2026

1. Charles Lafayette Knight Marker

After restoration and in new location

Inscription. "Knight's Point" is dedicated in memory of Charley Knight, a native Tampan, well-known property appraiser and prominent collector of Native-American artifacts. Knight always had a keen interest in and fond feelings for the 177-acre tract of land now known as Harbour Island. Dating back to the early 1900's his grandfather, C.L. "Lefty" Knight, conceived the idea that the mud flat, then known as Seddon Island, would make an ideal shipping facility. He worked diligently with city government in perfecting the title to the man-made island, and then selling the island to the Seaboard Railroad.

In later years Charley Knight always felt the potential use of the island was far better than just the storage yard and railroad distribution center than it had become. Often referred to as the founding father of Harbour Island, Charley Knight envisioned an upscale commercial and residential development creating Tampa's new urban community; a vision that became reality when Beneficial Corporation acquired the island in 1979. "Knight's Point" is a tribute to his perseverance and dreams for the future of Tampa and this island.

Erected January 23, 1998 by the Tampa Historical Society
in cooperation with Harbour Island Inc.

Erected 1998

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

by the Tampa Historical Society in cooperation with Harbour Island Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is January 23, 1836.

Location. 27° 56.311′ N, 82° 27.008′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. It is in Southeast Tampa. It is on South Beneficial Drive just north of Knights Run Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Marker was moved from previous position in Knight's Point onto the ROW a few blocks east. It has been restored. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tampa FL 33602, 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

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, May 20, 2026

2. Charles Lafayette Knight Marker

After restoration and at new location in the ROW.

Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Royal Yacht Britannia (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of Fort Brooke (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gordon Keller (approx. half a mile away); Site of Mirabella Fish Company (approx. half a mile away); Dixie Lily Milling Company & Florida Central & Peninsular Railroad (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Bayshore Boulevard (approx. 0.6 miles away); Jose Gasparilla (approx. 0.6 miles away); World's First Scheduled Commercial Airline (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.

Other markers no longer nearby. Timuquan Indian Mound (was approx. half a mile away but has been permanently removed); Captain Joseph Fry (was approx. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing); Fort Brooke-Confederate Battery (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. It is capped with the crest of the Tampa Historical Society.

Regarding Charles Lafayette Knight. Knight's Point is a commercial, retail, and professional office complex

Photographed by AGS Media, July 31, 2010

3. Charles Lafayette Knight Marker

which includes the Westin Harbour Island Hotel.

Photographed by AGS Media, July 31, 2010

4. Charles Lafayette Knight Marker

Overlooking the Hillsborough River Channel and downtown Tampa

Charles Lafayette Knight Marker (missing) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dave W, February 11, 2023

5. Charles Lafayette Knight Marker (missing)

You can see the pole where the marker used to be at the top of the stairs.

Knight's Point on Harbour Island image. Click for full size.

Photographed by AGS Media, July 31, 2010

6. Knight's Point on Harbour Island

Viewed from across the Hillsborough River Channel

Harbour Island Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by AGS Media, July 31, 2010

7. Harbour Island Sign

Sign at the entrance to the Harbour Island Boulevard Bridge

Credits. This page was last revised on May 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,641 times since then and 64 times this year. Last updated on February 17, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 25, 2026, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 3, 4. submitted on September 24, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 5. submitted on February 17, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. 6. submitted on September 27, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 7. submitted on September 24, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.