The Wandering Disciple

When the rails were king, each railroad mogul sought to have an elegant destination for their passengers. The Tampa Bay Hotel was built along the Hillsborough River to serve as the keystone of the Plant System, a system of railroads and steam ships operated by mogul Henry Plant.  The 511-room hotel opened for guests in 1891 and was a symbol of elegance in Tampa Bay. It served as a premiere hotel until the Great Depression forced its closure in 1930. Today it serves in two capacities, one as the signature building for the University of Tampa and second as a museum dedicated to Henry Plant and the gilded age of the Tampa Bay Hotel.  Taken: July 27, 2013 at Plant Museum (Tampa, FL)

Railroad pioneer Henry Plant had a vision for his rail line.  A luxury travel destination in a tropical paradise that would rival anything his competition might come up with.  To make this vision come to life, he built a luxurious hotel on Tampa Bay called the Tampa Bay Hotel.  He constructed the crown jewel of his hotels, over a quarter mile long with all the luxury amenities one could want in the late 1800's including the first elevator installed in Florida.  The hotel was in operation from 1890 to 1930 and housed tons of celebrities, athletes, wealthy people and even served as a military base.  Today the building is preserved on the National Register of Historic Places and houses the Henry Plant Museum and administrative offices for the University of Tampa.  (Photo: August 19, 2018) 

Once the crown jewel of Henry Plant's rail empire, the moorish revival style Tampa Bay Hotel was the premier travel destination on the west coast of Florida. In a day when the rail was king, both rail magnates Plant and Henry Flagler wanted to build luxury hotels along their rail lines in Florida. The Tampa Bay Hotel featured the first elevator in Florida and its 511 guest rooms were some of the first to have electric and phone lines. The hotel remained in operation from 1891-1930. Today it serves as the administration building for the University of Tampa as well as home to the Henry Plant Museum. (Photo: July 27, 2013)

An elegant feature on the downtown Tampa riverfront, the historic Tampa Bay Hotel is a glimpse into the lifestyle of the rich & famous of an era long gone.  Built by Henry Plant in 1891, the Tampa Bay Hotel was built to provide an elegant vacation destination for the passengers of his rail line.  Today the building houses the Henry Plant Museum and the administration offices for the University of Tampa.  (Photo: July 27, 2013)

A water fountain welcomes visitors to the Henry Plant Museum on the campus of the University of Tampa. The Plant Museum is housed in the historic building that was once the Tampa Bay Hotel. Built by rail tycoon Henry Plant, the Tampa Bay Hotel was the social hotspot of a fledgling city of Tampa. (Photo: July 27, 2013)

A water lily floats in a water fountain at the Henry Plant Museum in Tampa. Created by railroad tycoon Henry Plant, the Tampa Bay Hotel was the crown jewel for the west coast. Today the building serves at the administration for the University of Tampa as well as the Henry Plant Museum. (Photo: July 27, 2013)

Housed inside the historic Tampa Bay Hotel building, University of Tampa's Plant Hall has a very storied past.  Built by Henry Plant in the late 1800's, the hotel was once the icon of luxury travel.  Many famous American's stayed in the luxury accommodations of the resort and it also served as a base camp during the Spanish-American War.  The hotel closed in 1930 due to the economic collapse caused by the Great Depression.  Today, the building serves as the administration complex for the University of Tampa and also houses the Henry B Plant Museum.  (Photo: July 27, 2013)