Changing Tampa: Then and Now
An interesting comparison of 1938 and 2016 aerials illustrating the impact of time and the construction of expressways through various sections of Tampa.
Hyde Park
Dating back to the early 1880s with the establishment of Henry B. Plant’s railroad to Tampa, Hyde Park was largely built out by 1938. In 1976, the Crosstown Expressway was built parallel to the railroad resulting in the lost of several residences. Today, just west of the railroad line, SoHo (South Howard) has become one of the region’s top destinations for dining and nightlife.
Tampa Heights
Tampa Heights, the city’s first suburb, was established during the 1880s and was seamlessly connected to downtown Tampa in 1938. This connection was permanently disrupted with the construction of I-275 (originally designated as I-4) during the early 1960s. In recent years, it has become a popular destination due to its mature landscape, historic architecture, parks and central location.
University of Tampa
In 1933, the University of Tampa moved into the then-defunct Tampa Bay Hotel. The 511-room Tampa Bay Hotel opened on February 5, 1891 by Henry B. Plant near the terminus of his railroad. Despite its closure in 1930, the hotel’s former rail spur still was in use on North B Street in 1938.
West Tampa
West Tampa was incorporated as a city in 1895. It was established to lure cigar factories and workers from Ybor City. By 1895, the streetcar suburb had more residents than Tallahassee. During the 1960s, I-275 (originally designated as I-4) was built, severing the neighborhood in half.
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Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Adobe Photoshop aerial overlays by Ennis Davis, AICP. 2016 aerials courtesy of Google Earth. 1938 historic aerials courtesy of the University of Florida George A. Smathers libraries Digital Collection. Contact Ennis at: