Historic 1908 Ybor City Bungalow

Historic 1908 Ybor City Casita

Step through the front door of 2305 E 9th Avenue and step directly into living Tampa history. Morning begins on your private front porch with fresh warm guava pastries from La Segunda Central Bakery, as the distant bell of the free streetcar rings down the brick avenue. Explore the neighborhood's legendary past—from the hand-rolled cigar factories of the Golden Age to the hidden Prohibition-era underground tunnels that once funneled rum beneath these very streets. After an afternoon ride along the Tampa Riverwalk or a day at Busch Gardens, walk just one block home for fresh sangria at the landmark Columbia Restaurant. Experience Tampa from its true cultural heart.

Period architectural styles include 11 foot ceilings, classic covered front porch with swing offering an ideal setting for sipping morning café con leche. Restored original hardwood floors run through the primary living and bedroom quarters, reflecting early 1900s craftsmanship.
An enclosed rear deck surrounded by lush greenery provides a secluded venue for outdoor dining, evening wine, and stargazing.

Central HVAC, high-speed Wi-Fi, updated stainless kitchen appliances, washer/dryer facilities, and off-street driveway parking—a coveted amenity in historic Ybor.


Located just two blocks from 7th Avenue "La Séptima" recognized as one of "America’s Great Streets"—and a single block from the historic Columbia Restaurant, this residence balances immediate walkability with residential tranquility. Guests can stroll to artisanal Cuban bakeries, historic social clubs, and craft cocktail lounges, or step onto the free TECO Line Streetcar to reach Downtown Tampa, the Riverwalk, and the cruise port in minutes.

Founded by Spanish cigar magnate Vicente Martinez-Ybor, Ybor City evolved rapidly into the "Cigar Capital of the World." Artisans from Cuba, Spain, Italy, and Eastern Europe migrated here, building a rich multicultural community centered around social clubs (*mutual aid societies*), hand-rolled cigars, and distinct architectural styles. Built in 1908 by Judge Simon Turman , this home served as an original residential casita during the neighborhood's economic peak, providing shelter for the skilled artisans and merchants who drove Tampa’s industrial rise.

When the 18th Amendment ushered in nationwide Prohibition, Ybor City famously defied federal law, earning Tampa a reputation as one of the "wettest cities" in America. Supported by a close-knit immigrant network and coastal proximity to Havana and the Bahamas, local bootleggers transformed Ybor City into a distribution hub for illegal Cuban rum and spirits.

Homes built during this era—including those along 9th Avenue—were central to neighborhood life during the Roaring Twenties. Speakeasies operated behind innocent storefronts, secret password-protected gatherings took place in residential backyards, and local *bolita* (lottery) kingpins managed illicit games from private parlors throughout the district.

These illicit operations were facilitated by the extensive network of underground brick tunnels buried beneath Ybor City’s street grid. Originally constructed for drainage, utility access, and discreet passage between major mutual aid clubs and factories, these subterranean passages took on a legendary role during Prohibition.

Rum-runners and syndicate operators utilized these covert brick corridors to move contraband liquor undetected from nearby waterways and rail lines directly under 7th and 9th Avenues into hidden cellars, speakeasies, and safe houses. Living at 2305 E 9th Avenue places guests directly above the geographic footprint of this underground history, where whispers of bootleg rum and secret pathways still captivate historians and travelers alike.

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Location & Major Regional Attractions

| 7th Avenue ("La Séptima") | 2 Blocks (3-min walk)
Historic main artery featuring cigar bars, boutiques, live music venues, and historic architecture.

Columbia Restaurant | 1 Block (2-min walk)
Florida’s oldest restaurant (est. 1905), occupying an entire city block with hand-painted tilework and Spanish-Cuban dining.

TECO Line Streetcar | 3 Blocks (4-min walk)
Free historic trolley system offering continuous transit to Channelside, Water Street, and Downtown Tampa.

Armature Works & Heights Market | ~8 Minutes
A restored 1910 streetcar warehouse converted into a riverside food hall and social hub along the Hillsborough River.

Tampa Riverwalk & Curtis Hixon Park | ~8 Minutes
2.6-mile pedestrian waterfront path connecting parks, museums, riverfront dining, and water taxi stops.

Port Tampa Bay (Cruise Terminals) | ~5–7 Minutes
Departure point for major Caribbean cruises; ideal pre- or post-cruise lodging base.

Benchmark Arena | ~7 Minutes
Premier venue for NHL Tampa Bay Lightning games, international concert tours, and major events.

Sparkman Wharf & Florida Aquarium| ~6 Minutes
Waterfront dining precinct with craft beer gardens, open-air shipping container eateries, and world-class marine exhibits.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino | ~10 Minutes |
One of the largest gaming facilities in the United States, offering 24/7 gaming, high-end dining, and live concerts.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | ~12–15 Minutes
World-class 335-acre theme park featuring thrill roller coasters and an accredited animal safari.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park | ~12 Minutes
Nationally recognized zoological park featuring Florida wildlife habitats and interactive animal encounters.

Raymond James Stadium | ~12 Minutes
Home of the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers, major college bowl games, and stadium concert tours.

St. Petersburg Arts & Dalí Museum | ~30 Minutes
Home to the world's largest collection of Salvador Dalí works outside Europe, plus the vibrant St. Pete Pier district.

Clearwater Beach & St. Pete Beach | ~35–45 Minutes
Consistently ranked among America’s top barrier island beaches, featuring white sands and Gulf waters.

Walt Disney World & Universal Studios Resorts | 55-65 Minutes
Enjoy a day trip to the happiest place on Earth.

Historic 1908 Ybor City Bungalow offers its guests laundry facilities. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Tampa property is smoke free.