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These vintage photos show Ybor City in a way you’ve never seen

By CL Staff on Tue, Mar 12, 2019 at 5:39 pm

Ybor City has a rich culture and history all its own — from the first Cuban cigar rollers to the famed Columbia Restaurant. These photos, from the State Archives of Florida, depict Ybor City through the years, starting in the 1880s and reaching into the next century.

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Max and Sender Argintar behind the counter at Max's store. 1908.

Max and Sender Argintar behind the counter at Max's store. 1908.

Ybor City street scene sometime in 1885.

Ybor City street scene sometime in 1885.

Residences in Ybor City. 1885.

Residences in Ybor City. 1885.

Review of troops - Ybor City, Florida. 1889

Review of troops - Ybor City, Florida. 1889

Bird's eye view overlooking Spanish-American War camp at Ybor City. 1898.

Bird's eye view overlooking Spanish-American War camp at Ybor City. 1898.

Camp of the 3rd Ohio Volunteers at Ybor City. 1898.

Camp of the 3rd Ohio Volunteers at Ybor City. 1898.

View of 7th Avenue in Ybor City - Tampa, Florida. 1908.

View of 7th Avenue in Ybor City - Tampa, Florida. 1908.

Streetcar and buildings in Ybor City - Tampa, Florida. Sometime in the early 1900s.

Streetcar and buildings in Ybor City - Tampa, Florida. Sometime in the early 1900s.

Isidor Kaunitz and Max Argintar outside El Sombrero Blanco on 7th Avenue, between 1903 and 1908.

Isidor Kaunitz and Max Argintar outside El Sombrero Blanco on 7th Avenue, between 1903 and 1908.

View down a street in Ybor City - Tampa, Florida. 1910.

View down a street in Ybor City - Tampa, Florida. 1910.

A parade in Ybor City - Tampa, Florida. Sometime in the 1910s.

A parade in Ybor City - Tampa, Florida. Sometime in the 1910s.

General CollectionHavana-American Cigar factory. 1910s.

General CollectionHavana-American Cigar factory. 1910s.

Centro Espanol in Ybor City - Tampa, Florida. 1914.

Centro Espanol in Ybor City - Tampa, Florida. 1914.

People stand on the intersection of 14th Street and 9th Avenue in Ybor City - Tampa, Florida. Date unknown.

People stand on the intersection of 14th Street and 9th Avenue in Ybor City - Tampa, Florida. Date unknown.

Interior view of a cigar factory - Tampa, Florida. Date unknown.

Interior view of a cigar factory - Tampa, Florida. Date unknown.

Burgert's Studio - Tampa, Florida. 1919.

Burgert's Studio - Tampa, Florida. 1919.

7th Avenue, Ybor City - Tampa, Florida. Sometime in the 1920s.

7th Avenue, Ybor City - Tampa, Florida. Sometime in the 1920s.

Tampa Forge & Ornamental Iron Works. The founder of the company Joseph G. Christ is in the center. 1920s.

Tampa Forge & Ornamental Iron Works. The founder of the company Joseph G. Christ is in the center. 1920s.

Tampa Forge & Ornamental Iron Works, located at 2nd Avenue and 19th Street. Ybor City, Florida. 1925.

Tampa Forge & Ornamental Iron Works, located at 2nd Avenue and 19th Street. Ybor City, Florida. 1925.

Interior view of the P.A. Spoto hardware store - Tampa, Florida. 1925.

Interior view of the P.A. Spoto hardware store - Tampa, Florida. 1925.

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