Asturian-American Migration Forum

Founded for essentially social reasons, Centro Español deftly balanced the strong regional loyalties of its Asturian and Galician members. The early society, unified by real and perceived animosities from Anglo Tampa and the colony's Cuban element, could not retain such loyalties following the conclusion of the Cuban revolution. In particular, the Asturian element had steadfastly urged the society to broaden its collective efforts in the, medical arena. Leaders of Centro Español resisted entrance into such an unexplored area because of costs and the "ungovernable and rebellious nature of the Asturians."

Frequently called "anarchist" by the Galician leadership, a large faction of dissident Spaniards seceded in 1902 to organize Centro Asturiano. The new club became a North American auxiliary of the Centro Asturiano of Havana. By 1900, the renowned Cuban institution already boasted 10,000 members. The international bylaws required a minimum of 300 members, a commitment to donate a percentage of annual dues and a written constitution before granting a charter to the new American affiliate. Pioneering members, of whom sixty-five were still alive in 1936, recalled that enraged leaders from Centro Español especially the cigar manufacturers-fought against the creation of a rival and potentially radical society, even to the point of dispatching delegates to Havana to plead against the proposed establishment. The Spanish hierarchy in Cuba disregarded the protests and granted a charter to Centro Asturiano of Tampa on April 1, 1902. According to record books meticulously preserved at the clubhouse, 546 charter members enlisted in the new society.

Destined to evolve into tile most stable, well financed, and best-preserved clubhouse in Ybor City, Centro Asturiano began with a two-room, wood-frame building at 14101/2 Seventh Avenue. In 1907, leaders announced plans to erect a modern facility on the corner of Palm and Nebraska Avenues. Dedicated on January 22,1909, the $75,000 clubhouse stood unrivaled by Tampa's standards. A 1912 fire completely destroyed the structure, but members resolved to rebuild with an even more ambitious building. In a gesture inconceivable fifteen years earlier, tile Cuban Club offered Centro Asturiano the use of its facility-with full membership privileges during the construction period.

The Tampa Tribune heralded the new Centro Asturiano, unveiled on May 15, 1914, as "the most beautiful building in the South." Designed by the talented architectural firm of Bonfoey and Elliot (which came to design all of the other major clubhouses), the structure cost, a staggering $110,000 of the time. Dedication ceremonies filled three days, highlighted by original operatic scores, a symphony and endless balls and banquets. The building still sparkles as an architectural gem nearly a century later. Its spacious features include a dramatic 1,200 seat theatre, a cantina, ballroom and a well-stocked library.

Financially sound, socially progressive and institutionally viable, Centro Asturiano attracted flocks of Spaniards to its protective banner. While the club naturally promoted Asturian culture, at no time did it exclude other Spaniards or Latins. Italians, Cubans and Galicians joined Centro Asturiano because of its facilities, benefits and membership . Economically, the club operated efficiently, as demonstrated by its surplus of $165,000 for the period 1902-1914, Centro Asturiano's officials established a club bank , whereby members could deposit funds, earning a high interest and at the same time supporting their club. No institution in Ybor City or Tampa generated the crowds and numbers as could Centro Asturiano. A 1911 picnic at Sulphur Springs attracted 6,000 members, their families and guests, causing the trolley company to press all its cars into service. Six months later, another picnic counted a crowd of 4,500 "Every nationality was represented," reported the Tribune.

Anarchy: a state of lawlessness or political disorderdue to absence of governmental authority.

Anarchism: a political theory holding all forms of governmental authority to be unnecessary and undesirable and advocating a society based on voluntary cooperation and free association of individuals and groups.

The existence and increasing popularity of collective medicine among Ybor City's Latins angered Tampa's medical community. The Hillsborouhg County Medical Society (HCMS) battled the concept of contract medicine for a half-century, labeling it "socialistic", "un-American" and "radical", and in particular waged and incessant battle with physicians who wished to serve Latin societis. The very firt amendment of the HCMS's constitution prohibited its members from participating in contract-medicien programs.

Phylis wrote:Nancy A. Hewitt. Southern Discomfort: Women’s activism in Tampa, Florida, 1880s-1920s. 2001 Urbana: University of Illinois.

This book looks at Ybor City's "Latin" population. She does address Spaniards and briefly Asturians and their social club. For those interested in this area and the interesting mix of people, loyalties, and the role of women you should take a look. The other Latins are Cubans and Sicilian/Italian Americans.
Cordially, Phylis