In the 1800s and 1900s, millions of immigrants came to this country hoping to escape religious and social discrimination, political unrest and financial struggles. The individual achievements of three of these immigrants, Arturo Fuente, Angel Oliva, and J.C. Newman, would ultimately impact the cigar industry in Tampa and in the world. 

In 1884, a Spanish jelly importer and civil engineer would visit Tampa looking for a suitable domestic climate to grow guava trees and establish a cannery. "Don" Gavino Guiterrez, an acquaintance of Martinez Ybor and New York factory owner, Ignacio Haya, suggested the two tobacco magnates consider relocating to Tampa. Citing a deep-water port, a humid climate similar to Cuba's, and the extension of Henry Plant's railroad connecting Key West and Tampa to cities in the north, he convinced the two industrialists to relocate. With the Morrison Act guaranteeing low import duties, a humid climate, and its close proximity to Cuba, Tampa assured the cigar manufacturers quick and easy access to a quality product.

I’m thirteen or fourteen and see a jar stuffed with tobacco leaves. “Ma, what’s capa doing in the refrigerator?”

“It’s good leaf, Franche. Leave it alone.”

“Going to make cigars at home?”

“No, no, need it to allow me to meet quota.”

“I never see Aunt Felicia put capa in her refrigerator.”

“That’s ’cause she’s fast. She doesn’t care what she puts out.”