As a Tampa native, I used to think The Tampa Bay Hotel was a castle. When I was told later that it was actually a university, it became my top school choice. (That didn’t work out. I went further north, Go Gators.) But my original classification wasn’t too far off. What’s now The University of Tampa, and Henry B. Plant Museum, was once called the crown jewel in Henry Bradley Plant’s train system — The Tampa Bay Hotel. This gorgeous resort was meant to entice Northerns to exotic and hot Florida. And it did — for a time.
Let’s learn more about what once was The Tampa Bay Hotel.
Trains in Florida
There once was a man who believed in train transportation in Florida — Henry Bradley Plant. It was mostly to the benefit of himself and his many businesses ventures, including transportation of goods in and out of Florida. In the late 19th century, Plant undertook the ambitious project of connecting remote areas of Florida with his expanding railway network. His efforts culminated in the creation of the Plant System, a web of railroads that facilitated the rapid growth of commerce, tourism, and settlement throughout the state.
Plant’s railways not only provided essential links for trade and travel but also played a pivotal role in opening up Florida as a desirable winter destination for the wealthy elite of the era. These wealthy elite needed a place to stay and Plant knew just the port city to house them.
Women at tea garden on Tampa Bay Hotel grounds, 1923. Courtesy, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library 
Tampa Bay Hotel advertisement copied from Hotel brochure, 1902. Courtesy, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library 
Tampa Bay Hotel piano and stacked chairs in ballroom, 1926. Courtesy, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library 
Tampa Bay Hotel tables set for service in dining room, 1926. Courtesy, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library
The Tampa Bay Hotel
Plant’s goal was to connect his rail lines to a port terminus in Florida and Tampa emerged as the ideal location. Constructed in 1891, this opulent resort redefined luxury and sophistication in its era. The hotel’s striking Moorish Revival architecture, featuring minarets, domes, and ornate details, captured the imagination of visitors and showcased Plant’s commitment to creating a grand destination.
Guests of the hotel could enjoy including wild game hunting, fresh and salt-water fishing, sailing, rowing, and canoeing. Bicycles and carriages were also at their disposal. Rickshaws were available for tours of the property or an afternoon ride to see and be seen.1
Beyond its architectural marvels, the Tampa Bay Hotel was equipped with modern amenities like electricity, elevators, and telephones. The hotel’s lush gardens, serene courtyards, and exotic wildlife added to its charm. Notably, the Tampa Bay Hotel played a crucial role in Florida’s history, acting as a hub for economic and cultural exchanges during the state’s period of transformation.
The construction of the hotel became a symbol of the region’s progress and allure.
Furnished bedroom suite, 1926. Courtesy, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library Advertisement copied from Hotel brochure, 1902. Courtesy, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library 
Schooner on Hillsborough River in front of the Tampa Bay Hotel, 1919. Courtesy, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library Tampa Bay Hotel piano and stacked chairs in ballroom, 1926. Courtesy, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library
Becoming a university and museum
The City of Tampa bought the building in 1905 after the death of Plant in 1899. The City continued to operate the hotel until 1932. Only a year later, the south wing on the first floor became the Tampa Municipal Museum. Later renamed the Henry B. Plant Museum in the 1970s. The museum’s mission is to interpret the hotel and the experiences of the diverse individuals who contributed to its success.
The rest of the hotel became a school. In 1933 Tampa Junior College, which was previously housed within a local high school, moved to into the rest of the hotel. From then on it was known as The University of Tampa.2
College students at main steps of Plant Hall, University of Tampa, 1946. Courtesy, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library 
Elise Frank and two women with paintings on display at Henry B. Plant Museum, 1951. Courtesy, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library 
University of Tampa students in pajama parade on Franklin Street, 1950. Courtesy, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library
