How it began
Florida has a rich history with cigars, particularly in the city of Tampa/Venice, which is often referred to as the "Cigar City." In
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EARLY CENTURY
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Tampa became a major hub for cigar manufacturing, largely due to the influx of Cuban immigrants who brought their cigar-making skills with them. The industry was centered in the Ybor City neighborhood, where numerous cigar factories were established.
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KEY FIGURE
One of the most famous figures in Florida's cigar history is Vicente Martinez-Ybor, a Spanish immigrant who moved his cigar operations from Key West to Tampa in 1885. His factory was one of the largest in the world at the time, and it helped to establish Tampa as a leading cigar-producing city.
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HERE WE ARE
The cigar industry played a significant role in the economic development of Florida, providing jobs and contributing to the cultural diversity of the region. Today, Tampa/Venice celebrates its cigar heritage with events like the annual Cigar Heritage Festival, and many historic cigar factories have been preserved as museums and cultural sites. If you have any more questions or need recommendations on cigars, feel free to ask!
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