Frank
Trebin Lastra, who was born on Ybor Street and raised in Ybor City, made a major
contribution to the preservation and awareness of his hometown’s history this
spring with the publication of his
Ybor City:
The Making of a Landmark Town.
The com¬prehensive and generously
illustrated historical study published by the UT Press was of¬ficially unveiled
on Saturday, April 22, in a public event at the Ybor City State Museum with a
brief program and book-signing by the author. A second reception and
book-signing followed at the University on Monday, April 24.
Lastra’s
book traces the story of this historic cigar factory town from its founding,
through its struggles during the Great Depression and urban renewal, to its
recognition and official designation as a National Historic Landmark District.
It includes a foreword by E. J. Salcines, vice president of the Tampa Historical
Society, and an afterword by Rafael Martinez Ybor, great-grandson of founder
Vicente Martinez Ybor.
The book features 633 illustrations, including
rare and previously unpublished photo¬graphs, maps and charts. A reference
section provides tables and exhibits that include cigar production, historic
streetcar lines, and lists of presidents of the town’s historic social clubs and
organizations. A comprehensive index provides convenient access to names and
topics.
Contact Dr. Richard Mathews or Sean Donnelly at x 6266 or
utpress@ut.edu to purchase a copy. The book
also can be ordered from the UT Press online catalog at
http://utpress.ut.edu.