PAST | cuban-club-101

Late 19th and 20th century Cuban immigration to the United States was impressive for the craft talents brought to the country. Along with their Spanish counterparts, skilled Cuban cigar makers made Tampa’s hand rolled cigars world-famous.

As early as 1899 Cuban immigrants formed recreational societies with varying degrees of success, and in 1902 Cuban workers founded “El Circulo Cubano” which means “Circle of Cubans.” It was a mutual aid society to “bind all Cuban residents of Ybor City/Tampa into a fraternal group, to offer assistance and help to the sick.” The club provided a gathering place for members and served as a unifying force in the Cuban community.

Page 8, La Bohemia Revista

Page 8, La Bohemia Revista, Tampa, 9th of September 1916 (Courtesy of USF Special Collection Archives)

Ground Breaking Ceremony

Ground Breaking Ceremony for the new building in 1917

1917 Ground Breaking Ceremony

Rafael Martinez Ybor hugging Dr. Alfredo Kohly

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The Theatre (El Teatro)

Group assembled in the Theatre (El Teatro) for a big event and program. 1940’s

Dr. Julio L. Gavilla with his family

Dr. Julio L. Gavilla with his family. Dr. Gavilla served as one of the clinic doctors at El Círculo Cubano. His office was on 7th Avenue next to the Ritz Theatre. Hortensia Lavin Morales served as the nurse in the clinic.

Balcony railing was replaced.

Balcony railing was replaced. Above is original and below picture is current railing. Sources have it that in the early 60’s the railing and the lamps were taken down due to deterioration and cause of further damage to the building.

Program Booklet of the CC 1955.

Program Booklet of the CC 1955. Joyce Cermeño, CC Queen

In 1953, World Welterweight Champion

In 1953, World Welterweight Champion Kid Gavilán came to Tampa for a fight with hometown boxer Aman Peck, at the Fort Homer Hesterly Armory. Pictured (middle) is fight promoter Al Garcia, Sr. welcoming Gavilán in front of the historic Cuban Club building for the non-title fight, which took place on January 13, 1953. (article, courtesy of La Gaceta, photo courtesy of Sylvia Garcia Muga and La Gaceta)

The Patio behind the Círculo Cubano

The Patio behind the Círculo Cubano was constructed in 1938 under the Presidency of Francisco Garcia. The large white star in the middle of the patio floor stands for the White Star called” La Estrella Solitaria" (the Lone Star) and it represents independence and freedom. This is a close-up picture of the patio floor where the members placed metal strips into the concrete to form the letters and numbers, “Abril 1938 Pres. Francisco Garcia”.

El Patio behind the Círculo Cubano

El Patio behind the Círculo Cubano was constructed in 1938 under the Presidency of Francisco Garcia. The large white star in the middle of the patio floor stands for the White Star called” La Estrella Solitaria" (the Lone Star) and it represents independence and freedom.

The Report

The Report presented by the Executive Board

1983 Halloween Ball Ticket

The Cuban Club of Ybor City (Tampa, Florida) / El Sama Presents the 8th Annual Halloween Ball Ticket No. 0496. From 9 p.m. til? Oct. 29, 1983 / music, costume contest, door prizes / $8.00 per person Photo courtesy of San Antonio Antiques http://sanantoniofloridaantiques.com/

Baluja & Cruz couples

Mike Baluja’s parents are Miguel and Palmira. (Right couple) Maura Cruz Lanz is the daughter of Teresa González Cruz and Carlos Manuel Cruz (left couple) Photo courtesy of Mike Bulaja

Francis “Frank” Paul Saso

Francis “Frank” Paul Saso October 04, 1931 - April 2, 2015 The artist of the exquisite drawing of our Círculo Cubano building. Born in Euclid, Ohio, graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art. He was a commercial illustrator in Detroit, Michigan and then moved to Florida in 1980 opening his own art studio in Tampa.

Traditional Mother’s Day picnic

Shared by Rolando Perez Pedrero May 11, 1952 Traditional Mother’s Day picnic in El Patio. At table Left-Right: Evangelina Pedrero, Amelia Pedrero Perez, Rolando Perez Gomez, Amelita Castillo Pedrero, standing: Eduardo Pedrero Valdes, Francisco “Pancho” Blanco, Dolores “Lola” Pedrero Blanco, Arsenia Pedrero Corces, Gustavo “Nene” Corces. (picture shared by La Gaceta)