People have been living on the land that is now Tampa for thousands of years. The earliest evidence of settlements in the area shows that farming and fishing was taking place more than 2,000 years ago. During the 16th century, there were several indigenous tribes that were known to be living in the region.
Florida was initially settled by Spanish colonizers, but the United States chose to purchase the land in 1821. After that, there were a number of forts and trading posts established in the area. This is when Tampa was initially formed. Tampa began as a frontier outpost.
Florida officially became a state in 1845. A few years later, in 1849, Tampa was officially incorporated. There were approximately 975 residents living in Tampa during this time. It was reincorporated in 1855.
Because Florida was one of the states that seceded during the Civil War, Tampa went through a period of turmoil. Martial law was declared in Tampa in 1862. The city’s government did not begin operating again until after the war had come to an end.
Tampa was isolated in the aftermath of the war. The city was struck by yellow fever, which caused more residents to leave. The city’s government was abolished in 1869. For a period of time, it seemed like this area might be all but abandoned.
However, in the 1880s, things began to change in Tampa. This happened after valuable minerals were found in the region. This caused many people to settle there. By 1900, Tampa had become one of the largest cities in all of Florida.
At the turn of the century, Tampa was home to many thriving industries. The area was known for producing excellent cigars. There were a number of successful businesses in the area. Organized crime also had a strong presence in Tampa.
Tampa continued to see impressive growth as the years went on. There was an especially large population boom during the 50s and 60s. This is also the period during which some of the most beloved tourist attractions in the region were established. While the population has grown more since then, the area has not seen another population boom of that level.
Today, there are many thriving industries in Tampa, including national defense, finance, and healthcare. There are a number of Fortune 1,000 companies that are located in the Tampa metropolitan area. Tampa has a strong arts scene as well.