There are few records for the Dolores Sundry Store at the corner of 12th Ave. and 16th St.. in Ybor City. The building had two store spaces on the ground floor; one was for rent in this photo. The second floor was most likely residential, given that was the trend in the early 20th century and the chairs and clothes on a clothesline on the balcony. Street car tracks are in place along 12th Ave. The building undoubtedly served the cigar workers living in the area.

As Ybor City decayed after closing many cigar factories in the 1930s, property fell into disrepair. In the 1960s, Interstate 4 displaced many homes and businesses in this area, especially along 12th St. 16th St was closed off in both directions from this intersection. In 1969, Haciendas de Ybor, a 98-unit 1-bedroom efficiency building, was built west of this intersection. In 1979, Hacienda Villas, pictured here, was constructed through a $2.7 million grant from Housing and Urban Development. 

 © Chip Weiner. All rights reserved