West Tampa, Florida

West Tampa is one of the oldest districts within the city limits of Tampa, USA and a former incorporated city, located just west of downtown Tampa. As of the 2000 census, the district had a population of 22,008. West Tampa has one of the highest concentration of latinos in the city since its founding in the early 1890s.

History

West Tampa was founded in 1892 by Scottish immigrant and successful attorney Hugh MacFarlane. He founded the town with the intention of luring some of the cigar factories of Ybor City a few miles west to his new community.

He was partially successful. Not many residents or businesses from Ybor City moved, but many new immigrants chose to start their lives in America in West Tampa. The first residents were primarily the same mix of Cuban, Italians, and Spaniards that resided in Ybor.

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Tampa's streetcar line soon connected West Tampa to Ybor City and the rest of Tampa, and the boundaries between the municipalities began to blur. Many "Latin" residents had family in both West Tampa and Ybor City, and many found jobs in one neighborhood while living in the other. A few of Ybor's social clubs built West Tampa branches, further uniting the communities.

In 1925, West Tampa was annexed by the city of Tampa and became a city neighborhood. As Ybor City faded and emptied out in the 1950s and 60s, many residents moved to West Tampa, making it the largest predominantly Latin neighborhood in town.

Description

The historical boundaries of West Tampa are the Hillsborough River and Rome Avenue to the east, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd (formerly Buffalo Ave.) to the north, Kennedy Blvd. (formerly Grand Central Ave.) to the south, and Dale Mabry Highway to the west. The West Tampa Historic District encompases much of this area [ [http://www.tampagov.net/dept_Historic_Preservation/information_resources/maps/west_tampa.asp West Tampa Map ] ] , and Interstate 275, built in the 1960s, runs through the approximate center of the neighborhood. The land area of the district is about 10 square miles (about 26 km²).

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there are 22,008 people, 9,277 households, and 9,908 housing units residing in West Tampa. The racial makeup of the district is 73.7% White, 11.3% African American, 0.4% Native American, 2.5% Asian and Pacific Islander, 8.4% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. 51.6% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In West Tampa, the population is spread out with 6% Under 5 Years; 5.5% 5 to 9 Years; 10.8% 10 to 19 Years; 32.0% 20 to 39 Years; 22.7% 40 to 59 Years; 17.2% 60 to 79 Years; 3.3% 80 Years and Over. Out of every 100 females residing in the district, there are 93 males.

Areas within West Tampa

Distinct areas within the West Tampa district are Bowman Heights, Marina Club, Northeast Macfarlane, and Old West Tampa. [http://www.tampagov.net/dept_Neighborhood_and_Community_Relations/app_files/pdf_maps/0-17.pdf]

References

External links

* [http://www.westtampachamber.com/ West Tampa Chamber of Commerce]