Rediscover. Remember. Relive.©
Welcome to Cigar City Magazine, your gateway to the vibrant history and culture of Tampa Bay. This diverse community, shaped by Cubans, Spaniards, Italians, Afro-Cubans, Jews, and many others, has a rich narrative that deserves to be celebrated. These immigrants, with limited resources but vast dreams, transformed a city they barely knew into a thriving cultural hub.
In Ybor City, founded by Vicente Martinez Ybor and Don Ignacio Haya in 1886, the legacy of cigar manufacturing began. They built factories and nearby housing, creating an environment where a multicultural society could flourish. This community established clubs, hospitals, and mutual aid societies that laid the foundation for modern Tampa.
At Cigar City Magazine, we invite you to rediscover the cultural richness, remember the remarkable individuals, and relive the pivotal events that continue to shape life in Tampa today. Since 2005, we have been dedicated to telling the stories of early Tampa through engaging articles, interviews, striking photographs, and contributions from our readers.
As the only publication focused on Tampa’s rich heritage, Cigar City Magazine captures the essence of our blended culture. Our founder and publisher, Lisa M. Figueredo, passionately believes in the importance of preserving these stories. “We all have a responsibility to keep these stories alive by passing them on to our children,” she emphasizes. By sharing our past, we help future generations understand their roots and recognize the values of love and family that define us. Together, we can ensure that the voices of our ancestors resonate through time.
Join us in exploring the stories that make Tampa unique and discover how the past influences our present and future.
In Ybor City, founded by Vicente Martinez Ybor and Don Ignacio Haya in 1886, the legacy of cigar manufacturing began. They built factories and nearby housing, creating an environment where a multicultural society could flourish. This community established clubs, hospitals, and mutual aid societies that laid the foundation for modern Tampa.
At Cigar City Magazine, we invite you to rediscover the cultural richness, remember the remarkable individuals, and relive the pivotal events that continue to shape life in Tampa today. Since 2005, we have been dedicated to telling the stories of early Tampa through engaging articles, interviews, striking photographs, and contributions from our readers.
As the only publication focused on Tampa’s rich heritage, Cigar City Magazine captures the essence of our blended culture. Our founder and publisher, Lisa M. Figueredo, passionately believes in the importance of preserving these stories. “We all have a responsibility to keep these stories alive by passing them on to our children,” she emphasizes. By sharing our past, we help future generations understand their roots and recognize the values of love and family that define us. Together, we can ensure that the voices of our ancestors resonate through time.
Join us in exploring the stories that make Tampa unique and discover how the past influences our present and future.
THIS MONTH'S FEATURED ARTICLES
IMMIGRATION AND YBOR CITY, 1886-1921Explore the streets of Ybor City and uncover the rich immigration history that shaped its development.
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The Building of the Over-Sea RailroadIn 1912, Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad transformed Florida's economy and tourism, connecting Key West.
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YBOR CITY: THE RADICAL PRESSExplore the impact of Ybor City's radical press on culture and politics, and how it fostered social change and activism.
READ MORE |
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the following sponsors! Your generous contributions help keep this site alive for everyone to enjoy.
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Some photos posted on our blog stories are Courtesy of the Hillsborough County Public Library, The Florida State Archives, the USF Department of Special Collections, and private individual collections.
