The Wandering Disciple

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)

A monument in a garden in the middle of a college campus is all that remains from the spot where the Great Bambino hit his longest home run.  It was here at Plant field in April 1919 that Babe Ruth crushed a 587-foot home run, setting a preseason record.  (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)