Downtown in Tampa in Hillsborough County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Kid Mason Community Center
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 20, 2025
1. Kid Mason Community Center Marker
The City of Tampa first opened a recreation center for African Americans at this location in August 1946. Prior to this, there were no dedicated recreation centers for Tampa's Black residents. The main building, designed in the Art Deco style, was originally the home of the Central Industrial Insurance Company, an important business in the Black community, which opened here in 1931. During World War II, the insurance company leased the building to Hillsborough County, who used the building as a USO clubhouse for African American soldiers stationed in Tampa for training. After the war, the city took over the building and opened the recreation center.
The center is named for Kid Mason Fendall, a prominent Black businessman who owned a store on Central Avenue two blocks to the north of the recreation center. Fendall sold a wide variety of items at his shop for all ages. An avid baseball fan and part-time umpire, his store's motto was, "After the game, Kid Mason's the name, for pleasure the same." The city renamed the recreation center after "Kid" Mason Fendall in 1959, one year after his death.
Erected 2025 by Hillsborough County Historical Advisory Council - City of Tampa.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans
this page online
Location. 27° 57.26′ N, 82° 27.364′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of North Orange Avenue and East Harrison Street, on the right when traveling south on North Orange Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1101 N Jefferson St, 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 Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: International Longshoremens Association Local #1402 (within shouting distance of this marker); Music Legends of Central Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); Central Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Perry Harvey, Sr., Park Skateboard Bowl (about 300 feet away); Fort Brooke Mass Grave (about 300 feet away); Tampa Native Americans (about 300 feet away); U.S.S. Sagamore (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.
Also see . . . Renovations begin on Kid Mason Community Center. (Submitted on March 20, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 20, 2025
2. Kid Mason Community Center Marker
Looking across North Orange Avenue.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 368 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 20, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
