Areas We Serve - Tampa

Tampa, FL began as a small military outpost centered around Fort Brooke, established in 1824 along Tampa Bay. The name “Tampa” is believed to come from a Native American word meaning “sticks of fire,” likely referencing the area’s frequent lightning storms. The city was officially incorporated in 1849 and remained modest in size until the arrival of railroad developer Henry B. Plant in the 1880s, which connected Tampa to major markets across FL. This expansion helped fuel the rise of the cigar industry in Ybor City, founded by Vicente Martinez-Ybor. According to the City of Tampa, this era transformed Tampa, FL into a leading cigar-producing hub in the United States.