Other Waterways
One of the most popular waterways (and their crossings) represented in Hillsborough County postcards aside from the Hillsborough River is the Lafayette Street Bridge, now Kennedy Boulevard in Downtown Tampa. Cards featuring the bridge often depict it with the Tampa Bay Hotel, the Hillsborough River, and Plant Park. Pioneer and private mailing-era postcards sometimes show horse-drawn carriages crossing the bridge.
For those traveling into Tampa from Lakeland, Brandon, or Plant City during the early 1900s, it was necessary to cross Six Mile Creek, an extension of Palm River that eventually saw the construction of the Henry B. Plant railroad. A community surrounded the Six Mile Creek bridge with a small grocery store and service station. Along with Palm River, Six Mile Creek was incorporated into what is now the Tampa Bypass Canal system.
Before it was Fred Ball Park along Bayshore Boulevard, the area was known as Palma Ceia Spring. Here, fresh water mixes with the silty waters of Tampa Bay. Like Sulphur Springs, Palma Ceia was once thought to have healing powers. After World War II, a larger pool was built atop the spring, but little remains now of this once popular swimming destination except a small fountain.
The Port of Tampa is also portrayed on numerous postcards, often as the setting for the Gasparilla Festival. Various ships, shrimping fleets, and steamer lines serve are represented as well. Several cards also reflect views of Tampa's waters afforded by venues like the Tampa Yacht and Country Club.