Circulo Cubano de Tampa (Cuban Club), Tampa
The Cuban Club, locally known as C铆rculo Cubano, was Ybor City鈥檚 principal gathering place. The building housed a cantina, pharmacy, ballroom, library, spa, and bowling alley. The current structure was built in 1917 to replace an earlier building that had burned down.
The Cubans who settled in Ybor City came via Key West. Ybor and Tampa proved to be better locations for their cigar operations thanks to Henry Plant's railroad, which connected the area to Jacksonville and New York. Key West would not be reached by Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad until 1912. Many immigrants considered themselves exiles committed to liberating Cuba from Spanish colonial rule, and several Cuban Clubs in the area served as meeting places for the community.
The building itself was an important symbol for the locals, helping many Cubans decide to remain in Ybor City after Cuban independence. The Cuban Club functioned as a mutual aid society, providing services not offered by the cigar factories, including health care and English classes. This gave the club significant economic and social importance within the community.
Today, the Cuban Club is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and is featured in the American Institute of Architects鈥� Florida Architecture: 100 Years, 100 Places.
The Cubans who settled in Ybor City came via Key West. Ybor and Tampa proved to be better locations for their cigar operations thanks to Henry Plant's railroad, which connected the area to Jacksonville and New York. Key West would not be reached by Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad until 1912. Many immigrants considered themselves exiles committed to liberating Cuba from Spanish colonial rule, and several Cuban Clubs in the area served as meeting places for the community.
The building itself was an important symbol for the locals, helping many Cubans decide to remain in Ybor City after Cuban independence. The Cuban Club functioned as a mutual aid society, providing services not offered by the cigar factories, including health care and English classes. This gave the club significant economic and social importance within the community.
Today, the Cuban Club is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and is featured in the American Institute of Architects鈥� Florida Architecture: 100 Years, 100 Places.
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Circulo Cubano de Tampa (Cuban Club) on Map
Sight Name: Circulo Cubano de Tampa (Cuban Club)
Sight Location: Tampa, USA (See walking tours in Tampa)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Tampa, USA (See walking tours in Tampa)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Tampa, Florida
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Creating your own self-guided walk in Tampa is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Tampa Downtown Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Ybor City Historic District Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles