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

Great 1909 Auto Race

Photographed by AGS Media, July 30, 2010

1. Great 1909 Auto Race Marker

Inscription. From this point in front of The Tampa Daily Times Building on Nov. 23 1909, was started the Tampa-to-Jacksonville "endurance run" to promote good roads for Florida. Sixteen vehicles, plus the "confetti" pathfinding car and a press car, made the grueling four-day round trip. There were many breakdowns, an accident or two and numerous other tribulations as the early models made their way through the mud and the woods and across streams. The promotion did, indeed, spark bond issues and construction of highways in the state. The event was sponsored by the Tampa Automobile Club and The Tampa Daily Times.

Erected 1978 by
The Tampa Historical Society
in cooperation with
The AAA Motor Clubs of Florida.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Sports. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1932.

Location. 27° 56.77′ N, 82° 27.437′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. It is in Downtown. It is on North Franklin Street (William F. Poe Plaza) north of East Whiting Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located on William F. Poe Plaza near the north end of the Fort Brooke Parking Structure. The plaza is pedestrian-only, but maps still show it as part of Franklin

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Street. 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 Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Old Fort Brooke Municipal Parking Structure (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Brooke Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); William F. Poe Plaza (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Capt. James McKay, I (1808 - 1876) (about 300 feet away); Lt. Col. Frank S. Adamo, M.D. (about 400 feet away); Officers Quarters Fort Brooke (about 500 feet away); Tampa POW/MIA (about 500 feet away); History in the Air (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Photographed by AGS Media, July 30, 2010

2. Great 1909 Auto Race Marker

Photographed by AGS Media, July 31, 2010

3. Great 1909 Auto Race Marker

Seen along William F. Poe Plaza

Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,653 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on September 4, 2013, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 31, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.