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Tampa • One of Tampa's First Suburbs • Est. 1880s

Tampa Heights

Tampa Heights, Raise the River Sky, A 4th of July Anthem, Est. 1880s — album cover with the downtown Tampa skyline at sunset over the Hillsborough River, the Armature Works riverfront, Howard W. Blake High School, fireworks, a portrait of educator Howard W. Blake, a portrait of pioneer Ignacio Haya, and street signs for W Palm, W Oak, W 7th, W Columbus, W Amelia, W Warren, W Gladys, W Forest, W Ellicott, W Plymouth, W Wellington, N Ola, N Tampa, N Franklin, N Florida, W Henderson, and E Kay. Photo strip: Rivercrest Park, Armature Works, Water Works Park, Ulele, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, and Stone's Throw. Tagline: We Came From History. We Live in Community. We Build the Future.

♪ Tampa Heights, Raise the River Sky

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Tampa Heights has always been a neighborhood where Tampa's past and future meet. From its early days as one of the city's first prominent residential suburbs to the riverfront energy of today, Tampa Heights has remained a place built around history, family, creativity, education, and community pride.

This Fourth of July, the neighborhood gets its own anthem: "Tampa Heights, Raise the River Sky." It is a celebration of the people who built the Heights, the streets that hold its stories, the schools and parks that serve local families, and the river that continues to connect the neighborhood to the heart of Tampa.

One of Tampa's First Residential Suburbs

Tampa Heights began taking shape in the 1880s, when Thomas Puch Kennedy Jr. moved north of downtown to higher ground that he called "the Heights." That simple name stuck. At a time when Tampa was expanding quickly, the neighborhood became a desirable place for families looking for more space, fresh air, and a little distance from the busy downtown core. The economic growth of the mid-1880s helped bring new homes, larger properties, and successful residents to the area.

During the yellow fever outbreak of 1887, even more people were drawn to Tampa Heights because the higher elevation and distance from downtown were seen as healthier for families. The neighborhood became a place where residents could build homes surrounded by trees, gardens, porches, and open space. Among the notable early residents were Judge Joseph Robles, William Benton Henderson, and Wallace F. Stovall, one of the founders of the Tampa Tribune. Their presence reflected the importance Tampa Heights held in the growth of the city.

Streetcars, Bridges, and a Connected Community

Tampa Heights grew not only because of its higher ground, but because it was connected. The Tampa Street Railway Company trolley system helped residents travel between the neighborhood, downtown, and nearby communities. Streetcar access made Tampa Heights one of the city's early neighborhoods where residents could enjoy a more residential setting without being far from work, shopping, and the energy of the growing city.

The Fortune Street Bridge also helped tie the area to downtown Tampa and the surrounding riverfront. Today, you can still feel that connection in the neighborhood's street grid and its proximity to downtown, the Hillsborough River, Ybor City, and the growing north side of Tampa.

Streets That Carry the Tampa Heights Story

Tampa Heights is full of streets that connect old homes, new development, schools, parks, local gathering places, and the riverfront. West Palm Avenue, West Oak Avenue, West Seventh Avenue, West Columbus Drive, West Amelia Avenue, West Warren Avenue, West Gladys Street, West Forest Avenue, West Ellicott Street, West Plymouth Street, and West Wellington Street all reflect the neighborhood's mix of historic blocks and evolving city life.

Along North Ola Avenue, North Tampa Street, North Franklin Street, North Florida Avenue, West Henderson Avenue, and East Kay Street, Tampa Heights feels connected to both its past and its future. Walk or drive through the area and you will see historic homes, mature trees, river views, community spaces, and new places emerging alongside long-standing neighborhood character.

Howard W. Blake High School and a Legacy of Education

Howard W. Blake High School is one of the neighborhood's most important institutions. The school is named for Howard Wesley Blake, a respected African-American educator and community leader who devoted his life to improving educational and vocational opportunities for Black youth in Tampa. He was also known for emphasizing character, teamwork, respect, and leadership.

Today, Blake High School is a visual and performing arts magnet school, giving students opportunities to develop their gifts through music, dance, theater, visual art, and other creative fields. That spirit fits Tampa Heights well. This is a neighborhood where history, talent, hard work, and imagination continue to come together.

The Riverfront: Where Families Gather

The Hillsborough River is one of the defining features of Tampa Heights. It gives the neighborhood a natural center of gravity and creates space for people to walk, play, relax, and connect. At Water Works Park, families gather around splash areas, open lawn, river views, and community events. It is the kind of place where kids run free, parents catch up, and visitors quickly understand why the neighborhood feels so alive.

Armature Works has also become a major gathering place for Tampa Heights families. It is a place where parents, kids, grandparents, friends, and neighbors can meet by the river, share a meal, enjoy a drink, listen to music, or spend an afternoon together. It represents the modern side of Tampa Heights: active, social, welcoming, and connected to the river. Nearby spots such as Ulele, Rocca, Stone's Throw, and Jen's Splendid Ice Creams add to the neighborhood's energy and give people more reasons to gather close to home.

A Fourth of July Anthem for Tampa Heights

"Tampa Heights, Raise the River Sky" was created as a Fourth of July crowd anthem for everyone who has helped shape the neighborhood. It honors the early residents who helped build Tampa's first prominent suburb. It celebrates the trolley lines, historic homes, downtown connections, street names, Howard W. Blake High School, riverfront parks, and the places where families gather today.

Most of all, it celebrates the people who make Tampa Heights feel like home. When the fireworks begin this Fourth of July, raise your hands and sing it loud: Tampa Heights, raise the river sky. From Palm Avenue to Oak Avenue, this neighborhood is home to you. From the first suburb to the future bright, Tampa Heights lights up the night. 🇺🇸

Lyrics — Tampa Heights, Raise the River Sky
[Intro – Crowd Chant] Hey! Hey! Hey! TAMPA! HEIGHTS! Hey! Hey! Hey! RAISE! THE! SKY! From the old highlands to the river light, From the porches to the Fourth of July— Tampa Heights, stand up proud! [Verse 1] Back in the eighteen-eighties, north of downtown's glow, Thomas P. Kennedy saw the highlands and said, "Here is where we grow." Then the boom came rolling in, eighteen eighty-five, Victorian homes and big front porches Brought the neighborhood alive. When yellow fever reached the city, Families looked for higher ground, They found fresh air, tall oak trees, And a future all around. Judge Robles, Henderson, Stovall too, Built their lives where the river bends, Tampa Heights was more than houses— It was where the city's story began. [Pre-Chorus] From the past— Crowd: To the future! From the river— Crowd: To the sky! Tampa Heights, Tampa Heights, This is our Fourth of July! [Chorus – Big Sing-Along] TAMPA HEIGHTS! RAISE THE RIVER SKY! Raise your hands for the Fourth of July! From Palm Avenue to Oak Avenue, This neighborhood is home to you! TAMPA HEIGHTS! STAND UP LOUD! Let the whole city hear us now! From the old streetcars to the fireworks bright, Tampa Heights, light up the night! [Verse 2 – Streets of the Heights] West Palm Avenue, West Oak Avenue, Seventh Avenue by the river view. West Columbus, West Amelia too, Every street got history running through. West Warren, West Gladys, West Forest strong, West Ellicott where the neighbors belong. West Plymouth, West Wellington too, Tampa Heights pride is coming through. North Ola Avenue, North Tampa Street, Franklin, Florida, where the old and new meet. From Henderson down to Kay Street lights, Every block shines in Tampa Heights. [Pre-Chorus] From the tracks— Crowd: To the river! From the river— Crowd: To the sky! Tampa Heights, Tampa Heights, We were born to rise! [Chorus] TAMPA HEIGHTS! RAISE THE RIVER SKY! Raise your hands for the Fourth of July! From Palm Avenue to Oak Avenue, This neighborhood is home to you! TAMPA HEIGHTS! STAND UP LOUD! Let the whole city hear us now! From the old streetcars to the fireworks bright, Tampa Heights, light up the night! [Verse 3 – River, Schools, and Family Time] At Howard W. Blake High, the artists find their voice, Music, dance, and painted dreams— A place where young hearts make their choice. Named for an educator who believed Character matters most, Building teamwork, pride, respect, For every student on the coast. Down at Armature Works, the whole family comes alive, Parents, kids, and grandparents, Good times by the riverside. A place to eat, a place to laugh, A place to meet your friends, Where Tampa Heights comes together And the day feels like it never ends. At Water Works Park, let the children run free, At Curtis Hixon's river edge, Feel the city's energy. From Ulele to Rocca, from Stone's Throw on down, Tampa Heights keeps showing why It is one of Tampa's proudest towns. [Bridge – Call and Response] Lead: Who built these streets? Crowd: OUR PEOPLE DID! Lead: Who keeps it strong? Crowd: OUR NEIGHBORS LIVE! Lead: What do we shout when the fireworks fly? Crowd: TAMPA HEIGHTS, RAISE THE SKY! Lead: From the riverbank to the city lights? Crowd: TAMPA HEIGHTS, WE RISE TONIGHT! The trolley lines helped shape the way, Connecting families every day. Fortune Street Bridge, a road to grow, From rural land to what we know. Old homes, new dreams, side by side, Holding history with Tampa pride. From every porch to every park, Tampa Heights keeps leaving its mark. [Final Chorus – Repeat Twice] TAMPA HEIGHTS! RAISE THE RIVER SKY! Raise your hands for the Fourth of July! From Palm Avenue to Oak Avenue, This neighborhood is home to you! TAMPA HEIGHTS! STAND UP LOUD! Let the whole city hear us now! From the first suburb to the future bright, Tampa Heights, light up the night! [Outro – Crowd Chant] Tampa! Heights! Raise the sky! Tampa! Heights! Fourth of July! River! Lights! Stand up proud! Tampa! Heights! Say it loud!