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

Sociedad La Union Marti-Maceo

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008

1. Sociedad La Union Marti~Maceo Marker

Inscription. When local segregation forced the withdrawal of Afro-Cubans from El Club Nacional Cubano, an organization of black and white Cubans involved in Cuban independence, Afro-Cuban cigarmakers founded a society in 1900 as Los Libres Pensadores de Marti y Maceo. Ruperto Pedroso, well known Afro-Cuban patriot, was among the 23 original founders. The club merged with La Union in 1904, resulting in the new name, La Union Marti-Maceo. In 1909 members completed construction of a two-story clubhouse at 11th St. and 6th Ave. With an average membership of about 300, the club offered full medical benefits and a stipend for sick members, as well as social, cultural, and educational activities. During the depression of the 1930s, many Afro-Cubans left Tampa. Membership declined and benefits were reduced, but the club continued in operation. Urban Renewal demolished the original building in 1965, and members moved to the present location. By the late 1960s, few members remained and it appeared the organization would cease to exist. In the early 1970s the return of a large number of retirees who had left Ybor City as children, resulted in increased membership and a revitalization of the organization.

Erected 1998 by City of Tampa, Ybor City Development Corp.and Florida Dept.

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of State. (Marker Number F-387.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Hispanic Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 27° 57.62′ N, 82° 26.758′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. Marker is on East 7th Avenue (State Road 45), on the right when traveling west. Located in Ybor City Historic District of Tampa, between North 13th St and Nuccio Parkway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tampa FL 33605, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rough Riders (a few steps from this marker); Ybor City Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); Jose Marti (within shouting distance of this marker); Cradle of Cuban Liberty (within shouting distance of this marker); “Cuba” (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Antonio Maceo Grajales (about 300 feet away); La Casa de Pedroso (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named La Casa de Pedroso (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.

Regarding Sociedad La Union Marti-Maceo. Translated from the marker; Los Libres Pensadores de Marti y Maceo translates to The Free Thinkers of Marti and Maceo.

Sociedad La Union Marti~Maceo and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By AGS Media, July 8, 2010

2. Sociedad La Union Marti~Maceo and Marker

The club's headquarters, viewed from East 7th Avenue (La Séptima) in July of 2010.

Additional commentary.
1. Sociedad La Union Marti-Maceo, The History - Ybor City's Afro-Cuban Club since 1900
Jose Marti (1835-1895) was born in Havana in 1853. Jose Marti is considered one of the great writers of the Hispanic world. Marti believed that freedom and justice should be the conerstone of any government. His writings condemn all despotic regimes and the abridgement of human rights.

Antonio Maceo (1848-1896), or General Antonio Maceo Grajales, was the second-in-command of the Cuban army of independence. Commonly known as the "The Bronze Titan," Maceo was one of the the outstanding guerrilla leaders in nineteenth century Latin America. (Originally at http://martimaceo.org).

— Submitted August 19, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, December 13, 2008

3. Sociedad La Union Marti~Maceo Marker

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008

4. Sociedad La Union Marti~Maceo Marker

Sociedad La Union Marti~Maceo: Painted Tilework image. Click for full size.

Photographed By AGS Media, July 8, 2010

5. Sociedad La Union Marti~Maceo: Painted Tilework

The tiles adorning the building's front facade read:

1226
Sociedad
La Union Marti-Maceo Inc.
Fundado en 1904

(English: Union Society Marti-Maceo, Founded in 1904)

The bottom portion of the tiles features the heraldic arms of Cuba flanked by portraits of Jose Marti and Gen. Antonio Maceo., painted by Carol Baker Curtiss of San Do Designs, Tampa.

Sociedad La Union Marti~Maceo Wall art image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, December 13, 2008

6. Sociedad La Union Marti~Maceo Wall art

7. José Martí

Antonio Maceo, Cuba, c. 1895, Postcard, photographer unknown. image. Click for full size.

8. Antonio Maceo, Cuba, c. 1895, Postcard, photographer unknown.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,483 times since then and 62 times this year. Last updated on June 9, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. Photos: 1. submitted on January 7, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2. submitted on July 8, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 3, 4. submitted on January 7, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5. submitted on July 8, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 6, 7, 8. submitted on January 7, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.