Walking in Fernando's First Footsteps

Curated by Arminda Mata and the Tampa Historical Team

"Walking in Fernando's First Footsteps" is a walking tour of Historic Ybor City based on the historical fiction, “Fernando’s Footsteps” by local author and Tampa native, Tony Carreño. Available through the Ybor City Museum Society, the story is about a young 17-year-old Spanish boy who immigrates to the United States via Cuba in 1900. Fernando came to Tampa, like many other early immigrants, looking for work and a new life. Fernando, with the help of a life-long friend, Ignacio, finds a welcoming home in Ybor City.

'Fernando's Footsteps': Port Tampa

As the steamship turned eastward in the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, there was enough of a jolt to awaken Fernando. He had managed to get a decent night's sleep, even though his "bed" was really a long wooden bench, and he had…

'Fernando's Footsteps': the Tampa Bay Hotel

Approximately 40 minutes had passed since leaving Port Tampa. As the train rounded a slight curve, Fernando noticed that the stark landscape had given way to the trappings of a modest, but growing, small city. As the train proceeded, more and more…

'Fernando's Footsteps': Ybor City Station

Fernando noticed wooden street signs marked in Spanish. He was relieved and surprised, having thought everything would be in English. "6a Avda/Calle 16". The Ybor City train station was on the corner of 6th Avenue and 16th Street.…

'Fernando's Footsteps': Centro Español

The men had walked one block north. At the corner of 7th Ave. and 16th St., Ignacio signaled them to stop. In front of them was a large wooden building. Zapato grabbed Gaitero's arm and pointed to it. "Amigo, esto será tu segunda…

'Fernando's Footsteps': La Séptima

Fernando and Ignacio continued walking eastward along 7th Ave. "Zapato, parece que esta avenida es la calle principal del barrio, verdad?" Gaitero had asked if they were on the primary street of the neighborhood. "Sí, y nosotros…

'Fernando's Footsteps': La Joven Francesa Bakery

Ignacio reminded Fernando that only fifteen years ago, there was a swamp where they were now standing. At that time, Tampa had fewer than a thousand inhabitants...a fishing village. Tampa had grown very quickly and was changing and improving. As if…

'Fernando's Footsteps': La Pequeña Asturias

The two Spaniards left the bakery and continued walking north on 19th St. When they reached 12th Ave, Ignacio paused, reaching for Fernando's arm. Typical of the area, this street had a high density of shotgun houses. Zapato gestured in both…

'Fernando's Footsteps': La Gallega Boarding House

The two Spaniards left the bakery and continued walking north on 19th St. The two men had continued walking. At 14th Ave, Ignacio stopped. On the northwest corner of the intersection, there was a rather attractive three-story structure. Each level…

'Fernando's Footsteps': Sanchez y Haya Cigar Factory

Fernando and Ignacio spent the rest of the weekend relaxing and getting Fernando oriented to his new home. Zapato was the anxious tour guide. On Sunday they took the short streetcar ride to "downtown Tampa". Fernando remained fascinated by…

'Fernando's Footsteps': Las Novedades

On the return from downtown, they got off the trolley at the corner of 14th St and 7th Ave. On the south side of La Séptima, taking up the whole block up to 15th St, was a large wooden building. As they approached it, Ignacio stopped and pointed to…

'Fernando's Footsteps': L'Unione Italiana

Ignacio told him the woman's name is Giuseppina Licata. She is 19 years old and single. She was born in Sicily and immigrated to Tampa ten years prior, after a brief period in New Orleans. According to Ignacio's sources, her father had done…

'Fernando's Footsteps': Sacred Heart Catholic Church

As the relationship between Giuseppina and Fernando developed, Fernando sought and received permission from her parents to propose marriage. Giuseppina readily accepted his proposal. Mr. Licata then offered to bring Fernando into the family business,…
For more exciting stories from “Fernando’s Footsteps,” more information about the history of Ybor City, or information on museum hours of operation, visit https://www.ybormuseum.org/.