This is the time of year I love to take time on the porch.
Can you hear the birds singing this morning??
The building actually opened back in 1891 as the Tampa Bay Hotel, a $3-million winter resort for wealthy and famous Victorians to visit during the cold winter months up north. Famous names including Teddy Roosevelt, the Queen of England, Booker T. Washington, and Babe Ruth are said to have stayed there.
The hotel had 511 rooms, an indoor swimming pool, and a performing arts center. It holds the distinction of being the first building in the state to be completely electrified, and also had one of the first elevators in Florida.
“The architecture of this building is really like nothing that you see anywhere else – sort of a Moorish revival architecture style – beautiful red brick and those arches everywhere in the building, both inside and outside,” explained the Henry B. Plant Museum’s Lindsay Huban.
The domes and minarets are what make it so unique that it has become a symbol of the city of Tampa. There are 13 structures on the roof of the building: Six minarets, four finials, and three domes.
Plant and architect John A. Wood wanted a building that was going to look exotic, so they put the minarets and crescent moon shapes on top of the structure.
“They’d been reading things like ‘Arabian Nights’ and this was a way for them to build a building that people would remember,” Huban continued.
The building functioned as a hotel for four decades, until 1941. The University of Tampa moved in two years later, and now the building houses a variety of school offices and classrooms, along with the Henry B. Plant Museum – a tribute to the man who built it.
The building is now a national historic landmark.
Kaylee Collins is all city girl. A popular writer of western fiction, she knows nothing about country life. Her editor sends her to her family ranch in Montana to gain experience in ranch life.
Luke Montgomery isn't thrilled that his sister has shackled him with this inexperienced city slicker. But something about Kaylee sparks him back to life after losing his wife.
This was a lovely story, typical of Hallmark Publishing, A feel good, clean romance with humor as Kaylee overcomes her fears and is drawn to Luke.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Hallmark Publishing and NetGalley. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
May brings flowers and warm days. It is also a time to reflect and celebrate with family.
A beautifully hand painted coffee service from my late Mother in law.