Columbus Drive (Tampa)

Lee Elementary School of Technology/World Studies on Columbus Drive in Tampa, Florida
St. James House of Prayer Episcopal Church
Bethel Primitive Baptist Church on Columbus Drive in Tampa, Florida 2014 entrance

Columbus Drive is a major road in Tampa, Florida, from State Road 589 on its west side east through West Tampa. It was originally known as Michigan Avenue[1] and was renamed Columbus Drive in 1933.[2] On its west end, International Plaza, an upscale mall, and several upscale restaurants are located off Columbus Drive on Jim Walter Boulevard, named in 2003 for Jim Walter.[3] East on Columbus there are several Latin markets and eateries including La Teresita and Arco Iris. Columbus Drive crosses the Hillsborough River via the Columbus Drive Bridge.[1]

East Columbus Drive travels through a historic area of Tampa, Tampa Heights. Latin food restaurants on East Columbus Drive include Arco-Iris and Brocato's Sandwich Shop. The area is a center of Latin culture in Tampa.[4] The Michigan Avenue grammar school opened in 1907 and became Robert E. Lee Elementary School in 1933.[2][5] and is located at 305 East Columbus Drive between Jefferson Street and Morgan Street. It is Hillsborough County, Florida's oldest brick school building.[2][6] The Villa Madonna School was established at 315 West Columbus Drive.[7][8]

A historic marker commemorating "Buffalo Soldiers" is located at Central Avenue and Columbus Drive. The all-black regiment settled in Tampa Heights during the Spanish–American War.[8]

  1. ^ a b "Columbus Drive Bridge / Hillsborough River / West Tampa". Tampa Pix. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "Lee Elementary School of Technology/World Studies". Seminole Heights Patch. Archived from the original on March 24, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  3. ^ Jim Walter Boulevard Archived 2012-09-24 at the Wayback Machine Press Release Tampa Airport
  4. ^ "Thriving Hispanic Heritage Undiluted along Columbus Drive". Tampa Tribune. August 28, 2012.[full citation needed]
  5. ^ Leonard, Marston C. "Tampa Heights: Tampa's First Residential Suburb" (PDF). Tampa Heights. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 24, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  6. ^ "Robert E. Lee Elementary School at 305 E. Columbus Drive in the Tampa Heights Historic District". Florida Memory. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  7. ^ Davis, Ennis (July 14, 2011). "Revitalizing Neighborhoods: Tampa Heights". Metro Jacksonville. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  8. ^ a b Matus, Ron; Batts, Denise Watson; Wos, Cathy (June 11, 2004). "The price for the Heights". St. Petersburg Times (State ed.). p. 1. Archived from the original on December 27, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2014.