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The pavilion at the top of the "big hill" before the 2013 renovation.
The original pavilion in this park was opened by the city of West Tampa on April 25, 1909, the year Hugh MacFarlane donated the land for the park.
The park (which used to have a golf course) was dedicated in 1924.
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This design is inlaid at the center of the terrazzo floor of the pavilion.
The existing pavilion was built in 1957 due to the efforts of the West Tampa Optimist Club, West Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Tampa Lions Club and the American Legion Post 248.
Visit the West Tampa Chamber of Commerce website
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WHEREAS, West Tampa, Florida was established in 1892 when Hugh C. Macfarlane purchased 200 acres of land just west of the Hillsborough River for development, and within just a few short years, thousands of people moved into the area, and on May 18, 1895 West Tampa was incorporated. By 1905 it became Florida’s fifth largest city, and in 1925 the City of West Tampa was annexed by the City of Tampa; and WHEREAS, today West Tampa remains a neighborhood rich in tradition and historical buildings, and is a vital and vibrant Tampa neighborhood; and WHEREAS, the West Tampa Chamber of Commerce was established in 1929 and its mission is to provide leadership and business opportunities that foster growth and quality of life while preserving the historical values of the West Tampa Community; and WHEREAS, the West Tampa Optimist Club was founded in 1948 and is committed to “Bringing out the Best in Kids” in the community through its support of civic service clubs such as the West Tampa Boys & Girls Club, Salvation Army, youth sports organizations, and scholarship programs, and its efforts over the past 63 years have resulted in many awards and recognitions from Optimist International’s national and regional divisions; and WHEREAS, annually the West Tampa Chamber of Commerce and the West Tampa Optimist Club bestow the George Guida Memorial Outstanding Citizen of West Tampa Award to an individual for their continuous service to the West Tampa Community and for meeting the criteria of having held an executive office in a civic club or community project, and has served in community activities, fundraising or active leadership; and WHEREAS, on January 26, 2012, the West Tampa Chamber of Commerce will honor City of Tampa Councilman Charlie Miranda, District 6, with the George Guida Memorial Outstanding Citizen of West Tampa Award for his long time dedication and contributions to West Tampa. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bob Buckhorn, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Tampa, Florida, do hereby proclaim January 26, 2012 as “WEST TAMPA DAY” in the City of Tampa, Florida, and encourage all citizens to join me in congratulating Councilman Charlie Miranda on this deserving recognition, and thanking the West Tampa Chamber of Commerce and West Tampa Optimist Club for the commitment and leadership dedicated to the residents and business community of West Tampa. Dated in Tampa, Florida, this 20th day of January, 2012.
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The pavilion was deteriorating and in dire need of care. |
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Pavilion
Renovation |
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March 22, 2013
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The new roof is in place, not yet complete.
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April 16, 2013
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A baseball game at Macfarlane Park in 1922, now the location of West Tampa Little League fields.
Photo courtesy of David Parsons, curator of the
Burgert Bros. collection at the Tampa-Hillsborough County
Public Library
Close up of the original pavilion, actual size from image above
Macfarlane Park Municipal Golf Course, 1924 Photo courtesy of David Parsons, curator of the Burgert Bros. collection at the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library
Close up of golfers from above full size image
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Depicted on the mural, left to right:
Robert Saunders
In addition to above links, click on each face to read more about these influential people.
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The mural is painted on the side of the racquetball courts
The Artists: Edgar Sanchez Cumbas Guillermo Portieles http://edgarsanchezcumbas.com http://www.portieles.com News release at TampaGov Entry in Tampa's Public Art . Read about Jose Marti and Fernando Figueredo's role in "The Cigar That Sparked A Revolution." |
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Hugh C. Macfarlane was born in Pollock Shaws, Renefewshire, Scotland, December 28, 1851. He immigrated to the United States at the age of 14 with his parents in 1865, arriving first at Fall River, Massachusetts. They soon resettled about 100 miles north of St. Paul, Minnesota, where Hugh attended St. John’s College. He then moved, alone, to Boston, where he was employed as a newspaper reporter before enrolling full time as a law student at Boston University. Upon graduation, he was admitted to the Massachusetts bar, and opened law offices in Fall River. Soon after opening practice, Macfarlane married a girl known only as "Miss Brown" by family members. The marriage was a short one; after giving birth to a son, James, the couple were divorced, and Hugh decided to begin a new life by moving to New Orleans. It was in the sunny Southern city that Macfarlane first heard about Tampa, a tiny coastal village along Florida’s west coast. Stories of the village evidently intrigued him, since he decided to move to the sleepy Gulf Coast settlement in 1884, when he was thirty three years of age. By the time he moved to Tampa, he was an experienced lawyer with a law degree from Boston University. Three years later he was appointed city attorney, and in 1893 state attorney for the 6th Judicial Circuit. | ||||
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Appointments to the Board of Public Works and Board of Port Commissioners furthered his local prominence. In 1892, inspired by the actions of Vicente Martinez Ybor six years earlier, Macfarlane offered free land and buildings to cigar manufacturers a few miles northwest of Tampa proper.
In order to develop West Tampa as Hillsborough County’s second cigar manufacturing area, in 1892, Macfarlane and his partners financed the first bridge across the Hillsborough River, the iron Fortune Street bridge. In the fall of 1892, the Macfarlane Investment Company helped start a streetcar route from downtown Tampa into West Tampa, as part of the Consumers Electric Light and Power Company system. By 1900, good transportation and communication between West Tampa and Tampa’s port facilities were essential factors in making the new community competitive with Ybor City and Tampa for new factories and businesses.
His initiative paid off. In 1895 West Tampa incorporated as its own city and came to rival Ybor City in cigar production. In 1925, West Tampa was annexed into greater Tampa.
After West Tampa’s success, Macfarlane devoted his time between real estate interests and law practice, serving as the top criminal lawyer of the state. He always maintained a personal interest in the laborers and citizens of West Tampa, giving generously, often without publicity, to both individuals and organizations.
In 1908, he contributed forty acres of drained land for the formation of Macfarlane Park. In 1912, he diligently assisted to receive assistance from his fellow Scottish immigrants’ foundation for the construction of two Andrew Carnegie libraries, one in Tampa, the other in West Tampa. His community participation included membership in several fraternal orders: the West Tampa Board of Public Works, Port Commissioners, and a life member of the Rocky Point Golf Club. In addition, he maintained membership in local, state and national bar associations.
Soon after his arrival to Tampa, Hugh Macfarlane married Frances Pettingrill. They had two children: Howard P. and Mary E. (Hoyt). His son from his first marriage, James, occasionally visited Florida, but maintained his residence in Fall River, Massachusetts.
The family grew and prospered together in Tampa, becoming important in both economic and social circles. Hugh maintained his prosperous legal career throughout his lifetime and was noted as a gifted orator, "whose appearance in the courtroom brought an aura of respect from all present."
Macfarlane remained active in law and formed several law firms until his death at his residence January 7, 1935 at age 83. . His obituary fondly described him as having the "canniness of a Scot, the resourcefulness of an American, and the genuine wit and wisdom of a Florida Cracker." Indeed, his life as a Florida Pioneer enriched not only his local community but also his state and nation.
See these excellent articles about Hugh Macfarlane and the development of West Tampa and the park, sources for information presented in this feature:
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Views from the top of the hill |
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Spruce Street separates the park from the West Tampa Little League fields seen on the left.
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Tampa
Mayor Bob Buckhorn recently declared Jan 26, 2012 as West Tampa Day.
