First National Bank building, 414-416 Franklin

First National Bank building, 414-416 Franklin St

First National Bank, Madison at Franklin Streets. 1933. Burgert Brothers. Courtesy, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System

First National Bank building, Madison and Franklin Streets. Date unknown. Zylstra, Sape A, Courtesy of the University of South Florida digital collection

The First National Bank of Tampa opened in 1886 and was instrumental in financing much of the town’s early development. The four-story marble-fronted structure was located at 414-416 Franklin Street. In 1926, this 13-story Renaissance Revival structure replaced the original building and became a landmark downtown. The bank later moved.

In 1993, after a contentious battle between Lykes Bros. Inc. and the city preservation board, the bank and the Tampa Gas Company, another historic building owned by Lykes, were demolished. Lykes then sued the city for over $1 million and won, stifling many future attempts to preserve Tampa’s historic buildings. The land, now called Gaslight Park, is leased to the city from Lykes and used as a city park.

From Burgert Brothers: Look Again, Vol. 1

First National Bank building, Madison and Franklin Streets. Date unknown. Zylstra, Sape A, Courtesy of the University of South Florida digital collection