YBOR CITY, Fla. — The great-grandson of the man who founded the iconic Ybor City is celebrating his namesake’s upcoming bicentennial birthday.
- Vincente Martinez-Ybor founded city in 1886
- Great grandson Rafael Martinez-Ybor excited for area's future
- Bicentennial will be celebrated Friday
Vicente Martinez-Ybor founded the historic area more than a century ago. On his upcoming 200th birthday, his great-grandson is reflecting on the impact he made on the Tampa Bay Area.
Rafael Martinez-Ybor didn’t have to travel very far on his trip down memory lane.
“I’d go to church, take the streetcar and come to Ybor City and buy the Cuban crackers, then I’d get a nice cone of ice cream at the ice creams of Ybor City,” Martinez-Ybor said.
Martinez-Ybor moved to Tampa as a child and has one of the closest connections to Ybor City.
“Ybor City is one of a kind, and it’s due to one man plus many others who came with him,” Martinez-Ybor said.
His great-grandfather founded the area in 1886 and helped turn it into what was once known as the "Cigar Capital of The World."
Rafael Martinez-Ybor never met his great-grandfather, but is reminded of his legacy every time he visits.
Many of the historic buildings in Ybor City are still intact, and many organizations like the Ybor City Museum State Park are working to preserve its past.
Martinez-Ybor said he’s also excited about the area’s future, like the possibility of a new baseball stadium coming to town.
“It’ll bring people back to Ybor. You want people to be living in Ybor City like it was when I was a kid,” Martinez-Ybor said.
Rafael Martinez-Ybor is the final family member with the legendary last name that still lives in the Tampa Bay area and hopes his heritage will never be forgotten.
“I’ve tried to respect the name as best I can, but you know I only have so much more to go in this life, and I hope that legacy stays here because Ybor City is what Tampa is today,” Martinez-Ybor said.
On Friday, there will be a Bicentennial celebration at the Ybor City Museum State Park. It is open to the public, but reservations are requested.
For more information on the bicentennial birthday celebrations, visit: