On what would have been the 95th birthday of singer, songwriter, and pianist Ray Charles, Tampa unveiled a new historical marker honoring the music legends of Central Avenue, the street where Charles once played and found his voice.
The marker, made possible through a collaboration between the City of Tampa and the Hillsborough County Historic Advisory Council, commemorates cultural and musical history of Central Avenue, once the epicenter of Tampa’s African American community and a hub where iconic musicians, including Ray Charles, shaped the sound of American music.
Ray Charles lived just off Central Avenue in Tampa in 1947 when he recorded his first song, “I Found My Baby There”. Central Avenue was a thriving African American business and entertainment district at the time. Charles was one of many music legends, including Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday, who performed in the area once referred to as the “Chitlin Circuit,” a network of venues that provided opportunities for Black musicians during segregation.
Mayor Jane Castor, joined by Hillsborough County Commissioner Gwen Myers, Tampa City Councilmembers Charlie Miranda and Guido Maniscalco, along with community leaders and residents, gathered for the unveiling on Tuesday morning, September 23, at the Kid Mason Center on N Jefferson Street. The program also featured remarks from Hillsborough County Historical Advisory Council Chair Jennifer Dietz, Hillsborough County Historian Rodney Kite-Powell, and City of Tampa Neighborhood and Community Affairs Administrator Ocea Wynn.
Mayor Castor, a lifelong Tampa resident and music lover, reflected on the lasting significance of Central Avenue’s legacy.
“Central Avenue was the heartbeat of a community and the birthplace of a sound that carried far beyond Tampa,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “This marker reminds us that greatness doesn’t just come from the big stages. It begins right here in our neighborhoods. By commemorating this history, we ensure future generations will know the music, the people, and the stories that shaped Tampa’s soul.”
The historical marker is now on public display between the Kid Mason Center and Greater Bethel Baptist Church. Photos from Tuesday’s event can be found below.
To view more historical locations commemorating Tampa’s African American history, residents can explore the Tampa Soul Walk. Visit Tampa.gov/soulwalk to learn more.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.tampa.gov ’
