The Coming of the Italians
With the advent of the cigar industry in 1886,
the Italians were attracted in mass to the environs
of Ybor City. They found employment in cigar
factories, the building of the Tampa Bay Hotel,
the construction of railroads, and farming.
The
Italians settled in the eastern area of Ybor City,
then called "La Pachata" in honor of a Cuban
rent collector and the first settler in the area.
Their descendants have achieved high political
positions and notable success in the fields of
finance, commerce, and various professions.
Their contributions to the growth and cultural
life of the Tampa Community have been substantial.
Marker is on East 7th Avenue near North 21st Street, on the right when traveling west.
Courtesy hmdb.org
