Tampa in Hillsborough County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Beginning of the Cigar Industry in West Tampa
Photographed By AGS Media, September 5, 2011
1. The Beginning of the Cigar Industry in West Tampa Marker
A cigar factory built on this site in June 1892 by Hugh C. Macfarlane brought the first industry to the community of West Tampa. First operated by A. Del Pino and Company, it failed financially. In 1894 the O'Halloran Cigar Company occupied the building.On May 18, 1895, a bill passed Florida's legislature creating the municipality of West Tampa. Its first mayor was Fernando Figueredo, a prominent figure in the Cuban revolution.
Erected 1990 by the Tampa Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Hispanic Americans • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1861.
Location. 27° 57.468′ N, 82° 28.98′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. Marker is at the intersection of North Howard Avenue and West Union Street, on the left when traveling north on North Howard Avenue. The marker is in the Old West Tampa
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. West Tampa Free Public Library (a few steps from this marker); Academy of The Holy Names (approx. 0.2 miles away); Centro Español de West Tampa (approx. 0.3 miles away); Rough Rider Encampment (approx. half a mile away); Morgan Cigar Factory (approx. half a mile away); Hugh C. Macfarlane (approx. 0.6 miles away); Benjamin Field/George N. Benjamin b 1859 d 1926 (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Andres Diaz Building (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.
More about this marker. The marker is capped with the seal of the former City of West Tampa.
The marker stands outside the West Tampa Library. Built by steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1913, it was the first public library in Hillsborough County.
The marker and library are located within the West Tampa Historic District. The district was listed with the National Register of Historic Places (# 83003539) in 1983 with 908 historic buildings on approximately 273 acres.
Regarding The Beginning of the Cigar Industry in West Tampa. Hugh C. MacFarlane (1851-1935) was an immigrant from Scotland who first settled and began developing West Tampa in 1886. The City of West Tampa incorporated in 1895 and attracted immigrants from Cuba, Spain, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, and numerous states outside Florida. West Tampa was annexed by the City of Tampa in 1925.
Tampa's once booming cigar industry is today but a shadow of its former self. However, numerous factory buildings remain in the neighborhoods of West Tampa and Ybor City as a testament to the days when Tampa was known as the "Cigar Capital of the World".
Also see . . .
Photographed By AGS Media, September 5, 2011
2. The Beginning of the Cigar Industry in West Tampa Marker
Photographed By AGS Media, September 5, 2011
3. The Beginning of the Cigar Industry in West Tampa Marker
Photographed By AGS Media, September 5, 2011
4. West Tampa Library
Photographed By O'Halloran & Co., 1897
5. O'Halloran & Co. Cigars Label
Photographed By AGS Media, September 5, 2011
6. West Tampa Library Plaque
A donation of the Carnegie Corporation
Restoration & Addition by Hillsborough County
GroundbreakingSept. 23, 2000
Dedication April 29, 2004
Photographed By AGS Media, September 5, 2011
7. Y. Pendas & Alvarez Cigar Factory
Photographed By AGS Media, September 9, 2011
8. Morgan Cigar Factory
In 1907 Colonel William T. Morgan erected this three story factory and soon his "Juan De Fuca" label attained popularity nationwide. By 1910, the company and its 1,000 employees had to move to a larger factory. The building was later home to six other cigar companies. It currently houses professional and commercial offices. The Morgan building is a Contributing Structure in the West Tampa Historic District, and it has been honored with its own historical marker (see "Other Nearby Markers" above).
Photographed By AGS Media, September 5, 2011
9. Berriman-Morgan Cigar Factory
Built for the Berriman Cigar Co. in 1903, the 33,000 square feet building became the new home to the Morgan Cigar Co. in 1910. Here, with up to 1,000 workers, Morgan produced over 11 million hand-rolled cigars a year. The former factory has been thoroughly restored and updated and is now home to the Tampa campus of Argosy University, and is a Contributing Structure in the West Tampa Historic District.
Photographed By AGS Media, September 5, 2011
10. Bustillo Brothers & Diaz Cigar Factory
Photographed By AGS Media, September 5, 2011
11. A. Santaella Co. Cigar Factory
Photographed By AGS Media, September 5, 2011
12. Samuel L. Davis Cigar Factory
Photographed By AGS Media, September 5, 2011
13. Mural of Cuesta Rey & Co. Cigar Factory
In nearby Rey Park, a mural depicts the Cuesta Rey & Co. factory, which was built in 1896 by Spanish immigrants Angel Cuesta and Peregrino Rey (for whom the park was named). Their factory produced the popular labels "Ponce de Leon", "La Favorita De Tampa", "La Flor de Cuesta Rey", and "Unica". At its peak, the company operated factories in West Tampa and in Ybor City, and was named official Purveyor to the Court of Spain by King Alfonzo XIII. The company was later bought out. Their West Tampa factory was a Contributing Structure in the West Tampa Historic District but was destroyed by fire in 1989.
Photographed By AGS Media, September 9, 2011
14. The Andres Diaz Cigar Factory
Built in 1908, the factory produced cigar labels such as "Terreno", "Flor de A. Diaz", and "La Flor de Scott." In more recent years, the building was home to the Tampa Church of Scientology (which has since moved into a larger former cigar factory in Tampa's Ybor City). The building is a Contributing Structure of the West Tampa Historic District and has been honored with its own historical marker (see "Other Nearby Markers" above).
Photographed By AGS Media, September 5, 2011
15. San Martin & Leon Cigar Company Factory
Photographed By AGS Media, September 5, 2011
16. Balbin Brothers Cigar Company Factory
Photographed By AGS Media, September 9, 2011
17. Oliva Tobacco Company - The Garcia y Vega Cigar Factory
The building is a Contributing Structure in the West Tampa Historic District.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 3,425 times since then and 383 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 8, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 9. submitted on September 9, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 10, 11, 12, 13. submitted on September 8, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 14, 15. submitted on September 9, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 16. submitted on September 8, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 17. submitted on September 9, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
