The original Sunshine Skyway bridge opened to traffic as a two lane road in September 1954. An identical span opened in 1971 making it two lanes on both the northbound and southbound sides. The bridge connects St Petersburg on the north side to Bradenton on the south side.
All was well with the bridge until May 9, 1980 when a 600 foot phosphate freighter, the Summit Venture struck the southbound span during a blinding thunderstorm
More than 1000 feet of the bridge fell into Tampa Bay. Seven cars and a Greyhound bus fell 165 feet into the water killing 35 people
Two days later the northbound span reopened to north and southbound traffic
On April 30, 1987 a new cable stayed Skyway Bridge opened to traffic
When the new bridge opened the old bridge became the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. The park consists of two piers, north and south open 24 hours a day 365 days a year. They are the longest fishing piers in the world.
A drive over the Sunshine Skyway spanning the mouth of Tampa Bay is a visually stunning sight and one you should take
I love horse racing. We are fortunate in Tampa to have one of the few horse racing tracks in the south. Tampa Bay Downs is a thoroughbred racing facility built in 1926. The track operates from early December until Kentucky Derby weekend.
Covered seating provides a comfortable way to watch the races as it is usually quite warm here even in the winter time.
And...they're off !!
Simulcasting shows the races going on all over the country. You can wager on any race at any track that is running in the country. I can come here on Derby day and wager on the Kentucky Derby.
I close with a picture of the great Verrazano..winner of the 2013 Tampa Bay Derby and the Wood Memorial
The beautiful Tampa Theatre, one of Tampa's most recognizable buildings. Chances are if you live in Tampa you have been to this wonderful theatre.
The Tampa Theatre opened on October 15, 1926. As you can see the outside of the building today looks much like it did 87 years ago.
The box office is largely unchanged.
As you enter the lobby you see the stunning Mediterranean architecture that continues throughout the theatre.
The theatre is special to my family. Every Christmas season for as long as I can remember we go to see one of the classic Christmas movies. We have seen It's a Wonderful Life too many times to count and every year it is as wonderful as it was the first time.
There are a few spots in Tampa that if you have lived here for even a short while you will recognize immediately. Some are nothing special, others are spectacular.
A walk down Bayshore Boulevard is nothing short of spectacular with dazzling views of Tampa Bay and downtown Tampa and some of the most beautiful homes in town. The sidewalk runs 4.5 miles and is said to be the longest uninterrupted sidewalk in the world.
Not spectacular but a landmark still is the old Sulphur Springs water tower. Built in 1927 to supply water to the Sulphur Springs Hotel. Many people my age remember going to movies at the Tower Drive In right next to the tower.
The beautiful minarets at the University of Tampa
BO's may not look like much but it has been serving up Tampa's best ice cream for over 50 years. If you order the large banana split you will need help finishing it. Ask my cousin Alan...
Voted more than once the best restaurant in America, Bern's Steak House is a Tampa icon. The best steak you will ever eat is here and the restaurant also has the longest wine list in the world. If you go a tour of the wine cellar is a must.
Last but not least is the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City. It is the oldest restaurant in Florida and has been serving the best Spanish and Cuban food in town since 1905. The menu is incredible and the 1905 salad is a Tampa tradition.
I will be adding a couple of other Tampa landmarks to the next blog...
We have returned from our cruise and it was great as usual. Cruising is a great way to relax. The porters take your bags as you walk up to the terminal and they magically appear outside your stateroom door. We are fortunate here in Tampa to have a cruise terminal so it's just a short drive downtown and you're on the ship. Then you can eat and drink and play all you want. It was great to have the family and friends together. Here are some pics...
We took our first cruise in 1999 on our 20 year anniversary
Tomorrow we leave on our 12th cruise
Along with our three kids and about 20 of their friends...See you Monday
It was November 18th, 1963....50 years ago today that John F. Kennedy visited Tampa. It was a beautiful day with clear blue skies and mild temperatures when JFK electrified Tampa with his visit. School kids were given the day off from school so families could gather to see the President.
At 11:24 am Air Force One touched down at MacDill Air Force Base. Kennedy was flown by helicopter to speak at Al Lopez Field. Then he left for his ride through downtown Tampa. It would be the longest domestic motorcade of his Presidency.
He is riding in the same bubble top car that he would ride in Dallas four days later. Along the route he would ride down Lafayette St. which would later be renamed John F Kennedy Boulevard. It was Kennedy's request that no Secret Service agents ride on the back of the car because he wanted the people to see their President. He would tragically repeat that mistake four days later.
This statue stands on Kennedy Boulevard outside Plant Hall at the University of Tampa
Kennedy's trip to Tampa is remembered as a day of joy and optimism...Four days later that would all change
