Sulphur Springs is a neighborhood of Tampa located just a few miles north of the downtown business district. It can be found along the Hillsborough River at Nebraska Avenue. Look for the the giant 214-foot water tower as a landmark. It began as a resort around the turn of the 20th century and developed into a very popular destination from the 1920s through the 1950s for folks looking to "take the cure" promised by the healing waters of the natural spring. A hotel, movie theater, shops, restaurants and banks sprang up as people flocked to the area and enjoyed the swimming and natural beauty of the area. It was even dubbed the "Coney island of Tampa" by a local historian who has studied its history. Eventually locals and tourists converted vacation cabins into homes and it became a neighborhood. Sadly the entire area declined and only recently has it begun to show signs of new life and rebirth. It presents a great story and the website Ghost Towns has a lot of fascinating information about the early years and what has become of the original town. (Click HERE.) I was told that this brick building was one of the banks in Sulphur Springs. It's certainly well constructed and save for the brightly painted blue doors, it doesn't appear to have changed much from the day it was built. (I found some other interesting and surprising photos in the area and there is a lot of history so I'll post a bit more of Sulphur Springs in the days ahead.)
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Sulphur Springs Bank?
Sulphur Springs is a neighborhood of Tampa located just a few miles north of the downtown business district. It can be found along the Hillsborough River at Nebraska Avenue. Look for the the giant 214-foot water tower as a landmark. It began as a resort around the turn of the 20th century and developed into a very popular destination from the 1920s through the 1950s for folks looking to "take the cure" promised by the healing waters of the natural spring. A hotel, movie theater, shops, restaurants and banks sprang up as people flocked to the area and enjoyed the swimming and natural beauty of the area. It was even dubbed the "Coney island of Tampa" by a local historian who has studied its history. Eventually locals and tourists converted vacation cabins into homes and it became a neighborhood. Sadly the entire area declined and only recently has it begun to show signs of new life and rebirth. It presents a great story and the website Ghost Towns has a lot of fascinating information about the early years and what has become of the original town. (Click HERE.) I was told that this brick building was one of the banks in Sulphur Springs. It's certainly well constructed and save for the brightly painted blue doors, it doesn't appear to have changed much from the day it was built. (I found some other interesting and surprising photos in the area and there is a lot of history so I'll post a bit more of Sulphur Springs in the days ahead.)
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It doth look like a bank what with the barred windows...I wonder if it is now a private residence or a CIA safe house?
ReplyDelete@ Jacob -I actually bought an old baby grand piano from the musician that owned this building 10-15 years ago. It was a busy recording studio and was jammed with instruments. I'm pretty sure there was a big walk-in vault. I don't know what's inside now but it's well built and solid.
ReplyDeleteFrank... I don't know how you do it. I just can't get myself to put up one photograph each day. Great shots and interesting text to go along with them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a striking building ! I love the bright blue doors, too ....
ReplyDeleteLooks like one of those places that is all 'front'. Guess the recession isn't a new thing.
ReplyDeleteInteresting choice of color for those doors. Looks like they were a newer addition to the building.
ReplyDeleteThat is quite an interesting history lesson. I never knew about Sulphur Springs. It actually sounds like the name of an old western town to me! This is a beautiful and colorful old building. I like the blue doors.
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