West Tampa grew around the same time as Ybor City, also known as the Cigar City. This area of West Tampa was trying to rival Ybor City as the cigar manufacturing capital of the South. These cigar factories were filled with Cubans Italians and Spanish locals. Many of them moved here to support this cigar rolling economy. Unfortunately, the Great Depression brought West Tampa crashing down. There are still signs today of that deterioration. Although this area of town has bounced back in many ways with trendy housing and restaurants, it still seems behind the times.

West Tampa is a very central area of the city. Although it has West in its name it is just on the West side of the river that runs through the middle of town. This area borders the airport and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stadium. It is very close to everything that you would need.