In the final quarter of the 19th century, large-scale agriculture became important to middle Florida -- especially cattle ranching and citrus growing. Other industries developed - timbering, turpentining, phosphate mining, and sponge fishing. All of this prompted the construction of roads and Henry Plant's railroad across to the Gulf Coast. The stage was set for tremendous growth of Florida culminating in the real estate boom of the 1920s.

The best places to get a general picture of the West Central region's history are the St. Petersburg Museum of History and the Tampa Bay History Center. The St. Petersburg Museum of History (335 2nd Ave NE; 727-894-1052) tells the story of St. Petersburg and the Pinellas Peninsula from prehistoric times to the present. The Timeline Gallery gives an overview through a combination of displays, videos, theatrical galleries and interactive computer exhibits. The theatrical galleries include an 1870 general store, 1913 trolley and a Try-On gallery where visitors can dress up in vintage costumes. You'll also find collections of the Florida Aviation Historical Society here.

The Tampa Bay History Center (225 S Franklin St; 813-228-0097) currently located over the site of Fort Brooke, the Second Seminole War fort that was the beginning of Tampa. The museum focuses on the history of the Tampa area and its multicultural heritage. There are displays from the permanent collection on Native Americans, military history, the development of tourism and the important development of the cigar industry in Tampa.

The county in which Tampa is located has a well-developed local historic marker program with more than 200 markers countywide. In both Tampa and St. Petersburg, a good way to get oriented is through the historical tours of the cities, available from numerous organizations, including the Tampa Bay History Center. The Tampa Theater(711 Franklin St.; 813-274-8981) gives tours of the theater with its magnificent "atmospheric" interior. The Tampa Museum of Art(600 N. Ashley Dr.; 813-274-8130) gives art and architecture tours of downtown once a month. The Ybor City Museum State Park(813-247-1434) gives Saturday tours of historic Ybor City, focus of the cigar manufacturing industry. Tampa Preservation, Inc.(813-248-5437) and Customized Historic Tours and Events(1320 E. 8th Ave.; 813-286-1636) provide tours of downtown, Ybor City and other parts of the city.

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