By Joe Marzo
When people think of Ybor City, the iconic Cuban and Spanish influences often come to mind. Yet, one of the most significant and sometimes overlooked communities that shaped
Ybor’s history is the Italians. Their contributions to this vibrant part of Tampa run deep, impacting not just the local economy but also its cultural and social fabric. This is the story of how Italians helped build Ybor City into the bustling and diverse neighborhood it became.
The Early Days: Italians Arrive in Ybor City
In the late 19th century, Ybor City became a magnet for immigrants. Founded in 1885 by Vicente Martinez-Ybor as a cigar manufacturing hub, Ybor City offered job opportunities that attracted people from many parts of the world, including Cuba, Spain, and Italy.
Most Italian immigrants in Ybor City came from Sicily and southern regions of Italy, particularly small towns such as Santo Stefano Quisquina. At the time, southern Italy was mired in poverty, political instability, and high taxes. The promise of economic opportunity in America, especially in places like Ybor City with its booming cigar industry, drove many Italians to leave their homeland in search of a better life. The majority of these immigrants came between 1890 and 1920, bringing with them their strong work ethic, family values, and traditions that would blend into the cultural tapestry of Ybor.
Skilled Craftsmen: Stonemasons, Carpenters, and Builders
Among the Italian immigrants to Ybor City were not just cigar workers but also highly skilled tradesmen. Stonemasons, carpenters, bricklayers, and other craftsmen arrived from Italy, bringing with them generations of expertise in construction and building trades. These skilled workers played a crucial role in shaping the physical landscape of Ybor City.
Italian stonemasons and bricklayers were instrumental in building many of the neighborhood’s early structures, some of which still stand today. Their craftsmanship can be seen in the brick streets, intricate stonework, and architectural details of many of Ybor's historical buildings. These artisans helped build homes, storefronts, and the very factories where cigars were rolled, leaving their mark on the infrastructure of Ybor City.
Beyond their construction skills, these Italian craftsmen contributed to the broader economy by opening workshops, working as independent contractors, and employing other immigrants, further driving Ybor’s economic development.
Italian Roles in Ybor’s Economy: More Than Just Cigars
Although Italians initially found work in the cigar factories—rolling cigars alongside Cubans and Spaniards—they quickly expanded into other sectors of the economy. Many Italians opened small businesses such as grocery stores, bakeries, restaurants, and bars, catering to the growing community of factory workers. One notable figure was Francesco Ferlita, a Sicilian immigrant who opened a bakery that became a Ybor institution. His business, La Joven Francesca Bakery, served fresh Cuban bread daily and became a cornerstone of Italian entrepreneurship in Ybor City.
By diversifying their economic roles, Italians contributed to Ybor City’s growth beyond the cigar industry. Their involvement in construction, retail, and service industries helped the neighborhood thrive through the early 20th century.
Building Communities: The Role of Italian Clubs
Like other immigrant communities in Ybor, Italians built their own social institutions to preserve their culture and provide a support network for newly arrived immigrants. The L'Unione Italiana (The Italian Club) was founded in 1894 and became the heart of the Italian community in Ybor. It served as a place where Italians could gather, celebrate their heritage, and offer mutual aid to those in need.
The Italian Club played an essential role in promoting solidarity within the community, hosting social events, religious festivals, and cultural celebrations. The iconic Italian Club building, completed in 1918, still stands as a symbol of the Italian influence in Ybor and is a beloved landmark today.
Cultural Contributions: Faith, Food, and Festivals
Religion played a central role in the lives of many Italians in Ybor City. Most were devout Catholics, and their faith shaped the community’s social and cultural life. Italians regularly attended mass at local churches like Our Lady of Perpetual Help, which became a spiritual center for Ybor’s Catholic population, including Italians.
Food was another powerful connector. Italian food traditions merged with the rich culinary diversity of Ybor City. While Cuban sandwiches and Spanish paella are well-known staples, Italian flavors made their mark through pasta dishes, meatballs, and, of course, the beloved Italian bread baked daily in local bakeries. These foods became part of Ybor’s cultural fabric, reflecting the harmonious blend of immigrant traditions.
Festivals, especially those honoring saints, were also part of Italian life in Ybor. These celebrations brought people together, reflecting the community's religious devotion and desire to maintain traditions from their homeland.
Organized Crime: The Shadows Behind the Success
While the majority of Italian immigrants in Ybor City were hardworking and law-abiding, the early 20th century also saw the rise of organized crime, a darker aspect of Italian influence in the neighborhood. Like other immigrant communities in the U.S. during that time, some Italians became involved in illegal activities, largely as a way to escape poverty and exploitation in the workplace. Ybor City was no exception.
The Bolita Gambling Racket
One of the most infamous elements of organized crime in Ybor was the bolita lottery, an illegal gambling operation that became a staple of the underground economy. Bolita, which means "little ball" in Spanish, was a numbers game similar to a lottery where players bet on which numbered ball would be drawn from a bag. It originated with the Cuban community but was quickly adopted by Italians who saw its lucrative potential.
The Italian Mafia became heavily involved in bolita, operating and controlling large portions of the racket in Ybor and beyond. The bolita game was a serious business—so much so that it fueled violent rivalries and turf wars between competing factions. Law enforcement often looked the other way, and some local politicians were rumored to have ties to the bolita racket, allowing the operation to thrive well into the mid-20th century.
Organized Crime’s Broader Influence
Beyond gambling, organized crime in Ybor extended into other areas such as loan sharking, protection rackets, and smuggling during Prohibition. The Mafia in Ybor City was part of a broader network connected to organized crime operations across Florida and even the country. The influence of organized crime was felt in Ybor’s streets and businesses, with rival factions vying for control of various illegal enterprises.
Despite its negative impact, organized crime became an undeniable part of Ybor’s history, coloring the stories of an otherwise hardworking and resilient immigrant community.
Italians and the Politics of Ybor City
Italians in Ybor were not just economic and cultural contributors; they also played active roles in local politics. As the Italian population grew, they became more engaged in civic matters, supporting efforts to improve working conditions in the cigar factories and participating in labor movements. Some Italian immigrants aligned themselves with socialist movements, reflecting the broader labor struggles in Ybor City during the early 20th century.
Though Italians, like other immigrants, faced discrimination and challenges in their early years in America, their influence in Ybor’s social and political landscape only grew with time.
Legacy: Italians in Modern Ybor City
Today, the Italian influence is still present in Ybor City. While the neighborhood has changed dramatically since its industrial heyday, the contributions of Italian immigrants remain an important part of Ybor’s identity. The Italian Club continues to host events, honoring the history and culture of the Italian community. Streets like 7th Avenue, once lined with Italian businesses, now serve as reminders of this rich heritage.
The story of Italians in Ybor City is one of resilience, hard work, and community. Though they came seeking economic opportunity, they left a lasting legacy in Tampa's history.
Whether through the businesses they built, the traditions they maintained, or the vibrant culture they contributed to, the Italian community helped make Ybor City the unique, diverse place it is today.
Conclusion
The Italians in Ybor City were more than just cigar rollers—they were business owners, skilled craftsmen, community leaders, and, at times, players in the darker side of Ybor's history with organized crime. Their journey mirrors that of countless immigrants to the U.S., forging new lives while enriching the places they called home. Ybor’s history, built on the strength of multiple immigrant groups, stands as a testament to the profound impact of the Italian community in shaping one of Florida's most storied neighborhoods.
Sources
Mormino, Gary R. The Immigrant World of Ybor City: Italians and Their Latin Neighbors in Tampa, 1885–1985. University of Illinois Press, 1987.
Ingalls, Robert P. Urban Vigilantes in the New South: Tampa, 1882-1936. University of Tennessee Press, 1988.
Lastra, Frank. Ybor City: The Making of a Landmark Town. University of Tampa Press, 2006.
Italian Club of Tampa. Our History – italian-club.org
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