In June of 1923, United Markets moved their warehouse here “for greater convenience and greater opportunity for enlargement” from 16th Street and 6th Ave. This photo is from 1924. At the time, they had over twenty stores in the area. This location enabled them to use the rail yard and Hillsborough River behind them for commerce and trade. It was also the location of their general offices. By 1928, they had taken over the entire corner and built a 5-story complex for their operations. The store closed in the 1930s, and Security Mills Feed and Seed moved in in the 1940s. They were in business here until the late 1950s. The building burned down in 1963 after it had been closed, and the city was making plans for a new riverfront project.

That project included Curtis Hixon Hall, the first convention center in the city. The hall was around for 30 years and was torn down after the current Tampa Convention Center was built in 1993 to make way for what is now Curtis Hixon Park. Pictured is the 53,000 sq. ft., $20 million Glazer Children’s Museum that opened in 2010.

 © Chip Weiner. All rights reserved