Peter Oliphant Knight Bust

Why a bust of Peter Oliphant Knight? Here on the Tampa Riverwalk, the Peter Oliphant Knight Bust stands as a testament to a man who shaped Tampa. Peter Oliphant Knight wasn’t just a lawyer. He was a mayor, a state attorney, and a business magnate. The Peter Oliphant Knight Bust captures a moment in time, freezing the likeness of a man whose influence rippled through Tampa’s history. Born in Pennsylvania in 1865, Knight’s journey led him to Indiana for his education at Valparaiso University, then to Florida. He became the second mayor of Fort Myers in 1886. He even helped establish Lee County the following year. Arriving in Tampa around 1890, he partnered with Judge Joseph B. Wall, embarking on a legal career that intertwined with the city’s growth. Peter Oliphant Knight served as the state attorney for Hillsborough County. He played a pivotal role in the development of Tampa’s infrastructure and businesses. He presided over Tampa Electric Company for over two decades. He even declined a Supreme Court nomination from President Harding. This bust of Peter Oliphant Knight on the Tampa Riverwalk serves as a reminder. It reminds us of his contributions to this city. His former home now houses the Tampa Historical Society, a fitting tribute to a man deeply connected to Tampa’s past. The Peter Oliphant Knight Airport also bears his name. This man truly left his mark on Tampa.