This 1935 image shows the intersection of Howard Avenue and Main Street, looking north on Howard. On the left is the original location of the Fourth of July Café, with the Bronx Bar right next door. The photo shows how life was in West Tampa then, with men in suits and hats conversing on the street corner. Notice the shoeshine boy, the streetcar tracks in the middle of Howard, how much broader the sidewalks were back then, and that Howard Avenue was open to two-way traffic.

Delgado’s Department Store and the El Bien Public Pharmacy are directly across the street from the men, a drug store linked to a mutual aid society with a medical clinic at 9th Ave. and 14th St. in Ybor City.

Burnz Cigar Bar and Lounge now opened where the Bronx Bar and 4th of July were at 1702 N Howard. It has since closed and the building for rent in early 2025. The building that housed Delgado’s Department Store burned down and was replaced by Salcines Park, at 1705 N. Howard Ave.

 © Chip Weiner. All rights reserved