Tampa in Hillsborough County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
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. Tampa's Latin Loaf is like no other bread in the world. It is leavened with emotion, flavored with tradition, and eaten with a large helping of nostalgia. The Ybor City State Museum is a tribute to the Ferlita family and the Cuban bread industry both of which have helped make Ybor City famous.
Erected by Columbia Resturant with the cooperation of the Tampa Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Landmarks. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.
Location. 27° 57.702′ N, 82° 26.303′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. Marker is on E. 9th Avenue near N. 19th Street, on the right when traveling west. Located in Ybor City Historic District of Tampa. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1818 9th Ave, 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. Ybor Centennial Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Fire Station No. 4 (within shouting distance of this marker); Mayor Nick C. Nuccio (within shouting distance of this marker); Anthony P. "Tony" Pizzo (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Anthony P. Pizzo (about 400 feet away); Historic Fort King Trail (about 400 feet away); L’Unione Italiana (about 600 feet away); Our Lady of Perpetual Help (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,332 times since then and 233 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.