Lafayette Street was the main thoroughfare in downtown Tampa, which intersected with Grand Central west of the Hillsborough River. This photo illustrates the scene west of what is now the Kennedy Boulevard bridge. The first Baptist Church can be seen in the center. The Parkview Hotel is visible on the left and Plant Park, with its iconic streetlights on the right. While this photograph has no record date, it looks to be the 1930s, given the automobiles and streetcars.

The last streetcars ran in Tampa until 1946, when all the tracks were removed. Lafayette Street, along with portions of Grand Central Ave. and Memorial Highway, was renamed John F. Kennedy Boulevard in December 1963 following Kennedy’s assassination. The president had just visited Tampa one week before his death.

 © Chip Weiner. All rights reserved