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

Roland M. Manteiga

January 16, 1920 – September 25, 1998

Photographed By Michael Stroud, circa December 2005

1. Roland M. Manteiga Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Roland Manteiga chronicled events and politics that shaped Tampa and Ybor city and championed human rights for more than 40 years through his weekly column “As we heard it.” From his private table at La Tropicana Restaurant, where he broke bread with presidents and locals alike, this formidable owner and publisher of La Gaceta newspaper served as a conduit between power brokers and the powerless. As the conscience of the community, Manteiga became a legend in his own time.

Erected 2003 by Mayor Dick Greco and the Mayor’s Hipanic Advisory Council, City of Tampa.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Government & Politics • Hispanic Americans.

Location. 27° 57.624′ N, 82° 26.504′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. Marker is on East 7th Avenue (County Road 574) near North 16th Street, on the left when traveling east. The marker is located in Tampa's Ybor City Historic District, in the vicinity of the Centro Ybor retail

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and entertainment complex. It is accompanied by a cast bronze statue of Manteiga standing in a life-like pose reading a newspaper, with his back leaning against the old Centro Español building (upon which the historic marker itself is mounted). 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. Centro Español de Tampa (a few steps from this marker); Molly Ferrara (a few steps from this marker); Vicente Martinez-Ybor (a few steps from this marker); B.F. Marcos Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Birth of Mutual Aid Societies in America (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of First Ybor City Railroad Station (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Birth Of Ybor City (about 400 feet away); Hotel De La Havana (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.

More about this marker. The City of Tampa commissioned local artist Steven Dickie to create the statue of Roland Manteiga. Several other sculptures by Dickie can be found elsewhere in Ybor City, including the Immigrant Statue at Ybor Centennial Park (see photo below). The grand unveiling of the statue and historical marker took place on January 17, 2003.

Regarding Roland M. Manteiga. Roland Manteiga was a well-known Editor and Publisher of La Gaceta newspaper. Born and raised in Tampa, Manteiga grew up in the newspaper business since La Gaceta was founded in 1922 by his father Victoriano Mantegia, a Cuban immigrant. La Gaceta is the only tri-lingual newspaper in the nation (English, Spanish and Italian).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. see the relationship

Photographed By AGS Media, May 12, 2010

2. Roland M. Manteiga Marker

The building upon which Roland M. Manteiga's marker and sculpture are mounted is itself designated a National Historic Landmark by the Department of the Interior. El Centro Español de Tampa was the first of the great mutual aid societies of Ybor City, and the subject of its own historical marker, seen here to the right of Manteiga's.

with marker shown.

Additional commentary.
1. Manteiga
He was a well-known Editor and Publisher of La Gaceta newspaper. Born and raised in Tampa, Manteiga grew up in the newspaper business since La Gaceta was founded in 1922 by his father Victoriano Manteiga, a Cuban immigrant. La Gaceta is the only tri-lingual newspaper in the nation (English, Spanish and Italian). Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

— Submitted January 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.

Roland M. Manteiga image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Stroud, December 2005

3. Roland M. Manteiga

Artist: Steve Dickey

<i>La Gaceta</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By AGS Media, June 18, 2011

4. La Gaceta

Roland Manteiga's newspaper, La Gaceta is still published in English, Spanish, and Italian from this 7th Avenue building in the old Gary community (see "Gary" historical marker) of Tampa's East Ybor Historic neighborhood. Today, the paper remains a family business, with Roland's son Patrick as editor. Displayed on the exterior walls are pictures of Ybor landmarks, including El Circulo Cubano (left) and El Centro Español (right), the same building upon which is now installed the Roland M. Manteiga sculpture and historical marker.

Centro Ybor and Muvico image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Stroud, December 1, 2005

5. Centro Ybor and Muvico

This location holds much more than nightlife for those prepared to delve into its rich history. As cultures combined, Cigar City was born. See how Ybor became Ybor and why it remains one of the most unique places in America.

"La Joven Francesa Bakery" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Stroud, December 2005

6. "La Joven Francesa Bakery"

"Francisco Ferlita, a native of Santo Stefano, Sicily, established a bakery on this site in 1896. Bread sold for three cents and five cents, and often on credit. In 1922, the wooden structure was destroyed by fire, and a yellow brick building was built around the remaining old red brick ovens. Ferlita died in 1931, and his five sons Stephen, Angelo, Joe, Tony and John continued making Cuban bread until 1973. At the peak of production, 35,000 loaves of Cuban bread were produced weekly."

At Centennial Park... Immigrant Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Stroud, December 2005

7. At Centennial Park... Immigrant Statue

Dedicated May 31,1992 "To Those Courageous Men and Woman who came to this country in search of personal freedom, economic opportunity and a future of hope for their familes"

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,770 times since then and 103 times this year. Last updated on November 28, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. Photos: 1. submitted on January 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2. submitted on June 19, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 3. submitted on January 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on June 19, 2011, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 5, 6, 7. submitted on January 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.