“Wonderland of beauty” once called Macfarlane Park. It has been a West Tampa treasure since its grand opening on April 25, 1909. This is Macfarlane Park.
Macfarlane Park was conceived as a woodland escape. It was designed to be free for everyone in West Tampa and neighboring areas. Imagine newly paved roads and streetcars delivering thousands every Sunday.
Hugh Macfarlane, West Tampa’s founder, donated 40 acres for Macfarlane Park. Atop an artificial mound sits the park’s pavilion. It hosted musical performances, dances, and community gatherings. The beautifully designed park boasted merry-go-rounds, swings and picnic spots. Sports facilities included a baseball field and a golf course. Macfarlane Park’s creation highlighted the cigar industry’s remarkable expansion and wealth.
West Tampa emerged in 1892. Col. Hugh C. Macfarlane and his Macfarlane Investment Company drained swampland west of the Hillsborough River. Their goal was a cigar town rivaling Ybor City. Alligators and mosquitoes once thrived here. Now, modern cigar factories shone like castles. Col. Macfarlane enticed cigar manufacturers with incentives like low-interest loans and ready-to-use factories. Cigar factories, support businesses, utilities, and homes quickly appeared. The Fortune Street Bridge spanned the Hillsborough River. Roads and streetcars linked West Tampa to Ybor City and the Port of Tampa. Cuban immigrants arrived to work as cigar rollers. They infused culture, cuisine, and politics. West Tampa became a Cuban enclave.
However, rapid growth soon reversed. The Great Depression and World War II hit the cigar industry hard. Lacking diverse industries, families departed. The once-thriving cigar factories closed. Only a few cigar factories remain today. Some are abandoned. Others serve as offices, classrooms or art studios.
Amidst these changes, Macfarlane Park endures. The pavilion still graces the man-made hill. It continues to attract visitors. West Tampa has transformed significantly since the early 20th century. Yet, Macfarlane’s legacy lives on. A historical marker honors Col. Hugh Macfarlane near the main entrance.
For over a century, the gazebo has been a focal point. It has hosted family picnics, birthday parties, and political rallies. Generations of West Tampa children have played here. Jerry Scaglione and the Macfarlane Park Association feared losing this landmark. They appealed to the city. The city recently replaced the gazebo’s roof.
The original wooden pavilion opened in 1909. Hugh C. Macfarlane donated the land that same year. A stucco-over-block structure replaced it later. The structure was renovated in 1957. That was also the year the terrazzo floor was added. Marietta Maniscalco remembers birthday parties with cake from Olympia Bakery and pizza from Alessi Bakery. James Leone still walks there daily. He climbs the stairs to the gazebo. It is part of his routine.
George Guida was known as “Mr. West Tampa”. The roadway is dedicated to his memory for improving the community’s quality of life.
So, as you explore Macfarlane Park, remember its rich history. Think of the families, the celebrations, and the community spirit that have thrived here for over a century. Macfarlane Park is more than just a park. It is a living testament to West Tampa’s past and present.