Tampa in Hillsborough County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Spanishtown Creek
At this site on a small stream was located the first settlement of Tampa Bay. Its inhabitants were Spanish-Cuban fishermen and straw-hat makers. It is believed they settled here toward the end of the eighteenth century, during Spain's second rule of Florida. When the Americans arrived in 1824 and established Fort Brooke, these early settlers were living in palmetto thatched huts and carried on a brisk trade with wandering Cubans who sailed into the bay. Spanishtown Creek is the true genesis of Tampa.
Erected by The Ybor City Rotary Club.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Rotary International series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1824.
Location. 27° 56.275′ N, 82° 27.873′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. Marker is on West Bay Street near South Magnolia Street, on the right when traveling east. Located just North of Bayshore Boulevard and West Bay Street intersection near South Magnolia Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tampa FL 33606, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Clara Barton (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jessamine Flowers Link (approx. ¼ mile away); Hutchinson House (approx. ¼ mile away); Col. Peter O. Knight (approx. 0.3 miles away); Florida's First Catholic Martyrs (approx. 0.3 miles away); William Gordon Burnett (approx. 0.3 miles away); Woodrow Wilson Junior High School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Jose Gasparilla (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.
Also see . . . Burying our Past - Spanishtown Creek. Tampania blog entry (Submitted on December 9, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,173 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 1, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.