Friends of The Library Campaign for Yeats Meeting Room

The Friends of the Port Tampa City Library made a presentation to the Hillsborough County Library Board on July 27th to ask permission to name the upstairs conference room after James G. Yeats.



James G. Yeats
January 4, 1876 – May 26, 1933


The Port Tampa City Library is housed in the imposing Italian marble structure at the intersection of Kissimmee and Commerce Streets. Built in 1926 by James Godfrey Yeats to house the First Bank of Port Tampa City, it subsequently served as a grocery store, aviation school, doctors’ offices, hospital, boutique, Commercial Bank, and then was forsaken for more than 30 years. In 1993 it was the impetus to unite the Port Tampa community in order to save the impressive edifice. On June 14, 1998, the 72-year old building was dedicated as the Port Tampa City Library. On that day accolades were given to individuals, organizations, and officials who had played important roles in saving the long-abandoned building from demolition and its renovation as the heart of the community. (“Port Tampa City, A History of Change”, Port Tampa City Woman’s Club, 2003) It is now time to honor the man who fulfilled his dreams and paved the way for Floridians to live their dreams.

You can support the Friends campaign by sending a letter of support to:
Mr. James B. Johnson, Jr., Chairman
Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library Board
900 N. Ashley Drive
Tampa, FL 33602

Contact janrsimpson@aol.com for more information on the Friends' efforts.