Could it be that an important part of Ybor history is peaking out of the ground at us? The tunnels of Ybor are a big part of the past. It is said that the tunnels ran from the Port of Tampa to Ybor City. Then the main tunnel ran east & west. It is said to have been build with curved arch brick roof & was complete with electricity & a rail system. These tunnels were used during prohibition to transport liquor and other things. There were many off shots from the main tunnel. One of these tunnels ran from the Blue Ribbon Store to Las Novedades, later  became El Goya – Tracks – Pleasure Dome today is – Czar. In the 1970’s El Goya caught on fire & it is said that the tunnel entrance was blocked. On August 11, 2000 the Blue Ribbon burned to the ground. Today there is a parking lot where the Blue Ribbon was. New landscaping was recently added around the parking lot. After the heavy rains, suddenly a peak into Ybor past has now opened! It’s aprox 4 ft wide, with bricks stacked on bricks & runs under the sidewalk. Is this a tunnel of Ybor City????  There are suppose to be several TV News stories coming out this week.

 

Below is a May 2011 news report on the Tunnels of Ybor!!

 FOX TX Tunnels