On Sunday, October 17th from 11am – 5pm, the VM Ybor Neighborhood Association will host its Second Annual Home Tour. VM Ybor is located just north of Ybor City and has held an important place in Ybor and East Tampa history since its inception. Home to over 3,000 residents, the neighborhood is rich in history and within walking distance to Ybor City and downtown Tampa.
This “not so typical” home tour features the eclectic, diverse and historic V.M. Ybor community. With 8 gorgeous houses and a historic, relocated 2 story grocery store, the tour will be sure to please local Tampa residents, historians and visitors alike. While many homes have been restored or remodeled, they all still contain original elements that characterize our unique community. The self guided tour will begin from historic Columbus Drive at the corner of Avenida Republica de Cuba (1315 Columbus Drive), where guests will receive neighborhood maps and information on each of the featured properties.
As a Bonus
In addition to the 8 homes and the former grocery store on the tour, the infamous Charlie Wall House will be featured (back by popular demand), complete with an antique car and period actors. This historic property was home to one of Ybor’s most illustrious characters. Wall, was Tampa’s first major crime boss and son of a prominent doctor and socialite. He ran gambling, extortion and narcotics rings before he was pushed aside by the Mafia in the mid 1940s. On April 19, 1955, Wall's wife came home from a vacation and found Charlie lying dead on the floor of their bedroom, his throat slashed and his skull fractured.
Academy Prep (the former VM Ybor Grammar School) will also be open for visitors to catch a glimpse into the southern anchor of our historic neighborhood – the school where many children first learned English at the turn of the century. It has been beautifully restored and is utilized as a privately funded Middle School. The Charlie Wall House and Academy Prep will be open for guests between 11am-2pm.
Quick Facts
When: Sunday, October 17th 2010 11:00am to 5:00pm
Where: Self-guided tour starts at the corner of historic Columbus Drive and Avenida Republica de Cuba (1315 Columbus Drive) and includes the entire VM Ybor neighborhood
Tickets: $8.00 per person in advance (online at www.vmybor.org; $10.00 day of event
All proceeds to benefit the VM Ybor Neighborhood Association and bettering our community
Information: www.vmybor.org or call Kim Headland (813) 263-7388
Friday, October 8, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)