Tampa Historian Invites Locals to Mark Bridge Renaming Anniversary
Tampa historian Gloria Jean Royster is inviting locals to visit the Madame Fortune Taylor Bridge this Monday to commemorate the anniversary of its renaming. The bridge, located in downtown Tampa at W Laurel St. and Doyle Carlton Dr., is named…
Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, October 16, 2026 —
Tampa historian Gloria Jean Royster is inviting local residents to visit the Madame Fortune Taylor Bridge this Monday to commemorate the anniversary of the bridge’s renaming. The bridge is in downtown Tampa, at West Laurel Street and Doyle Carlton Drive.
The structure is named for Madame Fortune Taylor, described in the information provided as a prominent 19th-century Black entrepreneur and landowner. Royster helped restore Taylor’s name to the bridge, linking the current landmark with the historical figure it commemorates.
The invitation centers on visiting the bridge in recognition of the renaming anniversary. The information provided does not specify the date of the anniversary, the year the renaming took place or whether a formal gathering is planned. It also does not give a time or additional details about activities for visitors.
Royster’s role in helping restore Taylor’s name is the connection between the historian and the bridge’s commemoration. The account does not provide further details about the renaming process or the history of the bridge. It identifies the location and the person honored, but does not specify whether any other organizers are involved.
For now, the stated invitation is for locals to visit the downtown Tampa bridge on Monday. The date of that Monday was not provided, so the timing of the invitation cannot be more specifically identified from the available information.
Story summarized from the original created by Ray Roa on www.cltampa.com, see more information here.
