Tampa’s First Paved Sidewalk
Try as I might, between the angle of the light and the marble’s coloration, I can’t get a really satisfactory exposure of this downtown Tampa site. But it’s worth knowing about – I had walked past it several times without noticing. This is what the marker says:
“Tampa’s First Paved Sidewalk
1888
Archibald Ross, a native of Scotland, a member of the city council, Tampa’s popular baker and the poor man’s friend, paved the walk around this brick building on the southeast corner of Franklin and Lafayette Streets with Georgia marble.
The first genuine pavement put down in Tampa was 168 feet long and 8 feet wide.
These marble stones are the remnants of Archie Ross’ historic side walk.
Preserved by the City of Tampa with the cooperation of the Tampa Historical Society”
