The Wandering Disciple

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)

In the late 1800’s Tampa was just a wilderness outpost along the Hillsborough River with just a few pioneer residents. One of these residents, General Jesse Carter built a school house on his property for the education of his child and children of another pioneer family. The school opened in 1850 and operated until 1886 when railroad tycoon Henry Plant purchased the property to build his luxurious Tampa Bay Hotel. Once bought by Plant, the school house became an apothecary for the Tampa Bay Hotel. Today, the school house sits on the University of Tampa campus and is maintained on the National Register of Historic Places. (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)