2001 N. Albany as seen in Jan. 2004

The MacFarlane Investment Company sold this land for the construction of the first church school in West Tampa.  "The Academy of the Holy Names" opened on Sept. 14, 1896, sponsored by the Order of the Sisters of the Holy Names.   During the Spanish-American war in the late 1890s, classes were suspended and the building became a hospital. 

After the war with Spain, the Academy resumed and later moved to its Bayshore Blvd. location in 1930.  The building was then taken over by the Salesian Order who renamed it St. Joseph's school and moved it in 1955 to its present location at Cherry St. and MacDill Ave.

The building was converted for use by the Morning Glory Missionary Baptist Church and painted dark orange.   It is now (Nov. 2009) the Miracle Temple Church of God in Christ where Supt. C. U. Sutton is the Pastor. Supt. Sutton has done a great job in remolding the interior of the church and is currently working on the upstairs portion. The Miracle Temple family is committed to preserving and maintaining this church and understands its historical value within the Tampa community.

Click to read the marker

Albany Avenue was originally named Francis Ave., then Gaspar Ave.

2101 N. Albany Avenue

Originally the Preferred Havana Cigar Company, it became the Bustillo Brothers and Diaz Cigar Company factory in 1903.  Around 1953 it was vacated until a few years later when it became home to Cuesta's "Antonia Cigar Company" which had moved from Spring Street.  In 1967 they closed and sold their brands to the Villazon Cigar Company.

click to enlarge

Take a streetcar ride through West Tampa in 1908

An excellent history of Tampa, including West Tampa, is Steve Rajtar's 2007 book, "A Guide to Historic Tampa".  It is organized by time period and grouped by geographical location which allows you to follow a route through the historic areas to view the sights.  Preview this book at Google