The tour was titled "Buildings Alive! An Architectural Hop Through Ybor City," and boy, were those buildings — alive! The owners of some of Ybor's most iconic historic buildings opened their doors last Thursday to show off the exquisite details that helped make the social clubs shine and cigar factories function. The Hoppers could travel by trolley or by foot, and Ybor City ambassadors, community stakeholders and preservationists gave tours and served refreshments at each stop. The event, organized by the Ybor City Museum Society and Ybor City Museum State Park, was a first for the district, and the high attendance proved that the public is truly interested in the preservation of Tampa's historic buildings and culture. [Editor's Note: Creative Loafing's offices in Ybor Square were on the tour; it was a privilege to show visitors around our brick-walled offices in the former warehouse of Vincent Ybor-Martinez's cigar factory.]
- Amanda Brown
- The grand salon staircase of the Don Vicente Ybor Inn, formerly the Gonzales Medical Clinic
- Amanda Brown
- Rubber-wheeled trolleys were on hand to transport eventgoers to each destination.
- Amanda Brown
- These beautiful ladies oversee the stage from their perch at the top of the Cuban Club theater's proscenium.
