West Tampa Branch Library

The West Tampa Library is part of the West Tampa National Historic District and is a City of Tampa Historic Structure. It is a historic link between the establishment of the City of West Tampa, the Cigar industry, and the Latin and African-American communities. On May 18, 1895, West Tampa incorporated with a population of nearly 3,000 people and became one of Tampa's earliest suburban towns. West Tampa's heyday was from 1900 to about 1920 when cigar factories flourished; dozens of commercial structures were built in the town's commercial core, centered at the intersection of Main and Howard.

Several distinctive pieces enhance the interior of the West Tampa Branch Library and present a unique historical statement. Triptych oil on canvas paintings by artist Ferdie Pacheco (Coming to Work, The Cigar Factory, Main Intersection) are located in the main foyer. Kaleidoscope, 2003, an acrylic on canvas triptych by artist Synthia St. James is located in the main reading room, which includes stained glass windows of the same design.