Henry B. Plant High School at 2415 South Himes Avenue
Henry B. Plant High School at 2415 South Himes Avenue, two story brick building showing front facade. 1929. Burgert Brothers. Courtesy, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System
Henry B. Plant High School at 2415 South Himes Avenue, a two-story brick building showing the front facade. 2021 © Chip Weiner
H. B. Plant High School, Tampa’s second high school following Hillsborough, opened in 1927 with a capacity for 1500 pupils and at a building cost of $450,000. The funds were raised by a bond issue in 1925. The school was named after Henry Bradley Plant, a businessman and railroad tycoon who built the Tampa Bay Hotel (now the University of Tampa) and railroads that connected Tampa and southwest Florida, bringing commerce and tourism to the area. In 1929, when this photo was taken, the school was indeed “‘Neath the Pines of Palma Ceia”, a line from the school’s alma mater.
The buildings in front of Plant were added in the late 20th century. The one on the left was built as a library that later became the media center. The wrought iron gate was added in 2019 as a precaution due to concerns over school safety following multiple school shootings. The school remains a highly ranked and sought-after facility.
© Chip Weiner. All rights reserved
From Burgert Brothers: Look Again, Vol.2
The Plant High School Glee Club. Circa 1940's. Robertson and Fresh. Courtesy of the University of South Florida digital collection
The Prom King And Queen In Their Thrones At Plant High School. 1940. Robertson and Fresh. Courtesy of the University of South Florida digital collection
Buses for the Hillsborough County School System [in front of H.B. Plant High School]. 1930. Robertson and Fresh. Courtesy of the University of South Florida digital collection
Students in chemistry class. 1946. Robertson and Fresh. Courtesy of the University of South Florida digital collection
Class of 1946. Robertson and Fresh. Courtesy of the University of South Florida digital collection
Girls' basketball team, Henry B. Plant High School at 2415 South Himes Avenue, 1946.Robertson and Fresh. Courtesy of the University of South Florida digital collection
Saturday morning reps with H. B. Plant football team. 2020. © Chip Weiner
HB Plant High School front, mid 1950s- Hampton Dunn collection Courtesy of the University of South Florida digital collection