{"id":682,"date":"2013-12-05T14:44:18","date_gmt":"2013-12-05T14:44:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/?p=682"},"modified":"2016-07-18T02:49:13","modified_gmt":"2016-07-18T02:49:13","slug":"tampa-jewish-community-center-to-occupy-historic-fort-homer-armory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/tampa-jewish-community-center-to-occupy-historic-fort-homer-armory\/","title":{"rendered":"Tampa Jewish Community Center To Occupy Historic Fort Homer Armory"},"content":{"rendered":"<div\n\tclass=\"ngg-galleryoverview\"\n\tid=\"ngg-gallery-795217147713dbe71f8c5791e68e3674-1\">\n\n    \t\t<!-- Thumbnails -->\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-0\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/ccc345.jpg\"\n               title=\"Fort Homer W. Hesterly is the future home of the Tampa Jewish Community Center &amp; Federation.\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/ccc345.jpg\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_ccc345.jpg\"\n               data-image-id=\"222\"\n               data-title=\"ccc345\"\n               data-description=\"Fort Homer W. Hesterly is the future home of the Tampa Jewish Community Center &amp; Federation.\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"795217147713dbe71f8c5791e68e3674\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"ccc345\"\n                    alt=\"ccc345\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_ccc345.jpg\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-1\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/picture-5.png\"\n               title=\"The National Guard occupied the building until 2004 but held control of Fort Homer until October 1 when the Tampa JCC officially signed a 99-year lease. Photo courtesy of the Burgert Brothers collection.\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/picture-5.png\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_picture-5.png\"\n               data-image-id=\"223\"\n               data-title=\"picture-5\"\n               data-description=\"The National Guard occupied the building until 2004 but held control of Fort Homer until October 1 when the Tampa JCC officially signed a 99-year lease. Photo courtesy of the Burgert Brothers collection.\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"795217147713dbe71f8c5791e68e3674\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"picture-5\"\n                    alt=\"picture-5\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_picture-5.png\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-2\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/picture-4.png\"\n               title=\"This Burgert Brothers photo shows Fort Homer during its days as an armory and events center.\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/picture-4.png\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_picture-4.png\"\n               data-image-id=\"224\"\n               data-title=\"picture-4\"\n               data-description=\"This Burgert Brothers photo shows Fort Homer during its days as an armory and events center.\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"795217147713dbe71f8c5791e68e3674\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"picture-4\"\n                    alt=\"picture-4\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_picture-4.png\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-3\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/picture-3.png\"\n               title=\"President Theodore Roosevelt\u2019s Rough Riders used the site during the Spanish-American War. Photo courtesy of the Burgert Brothers collection.\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/picture-3.png\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_picture-3.png\"\n               data-image-id=\"225\"\n               data-title=\"picture-3\"\n               data-description=\"President Theodore Roosevelt\u2019s Rough Riders used the site during the Spanish-American War. Photo courtesy of the Burgert Brothers collection.\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"795217147713dbe71f8c5791e68e3674\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"picture-3\"\n                    alt=\"picture-3\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_picture-3.png\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-4\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/a0147692.jpg\"\n               title=\"The Tampa Jewish Community Center and Federation recently purchased Fort Home W. Hesterly armory and has plans to use the building as the home to its new 83,000 SQ FT facility.\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/a0147692.jpg\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0147692.jpg\"\n               data-image-id=\"226\"\n               data-title=\"a0147692\"\n               data-description=\"The Tampa Jewish Community Center and Federation recently purchased Fort Home W. Hesterly armory and has plans to use the building as the home to its new 83,000 SQ FT facility.\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"795217147713dbe71f8c5791e68e3674\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"a0147692\"\n                    alt=\"a0147692\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_a0147692.jpg\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-5\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/picture-7.png\"\n               title=\"The armory is named after the developer and second mayor of West Tampa Homer W. Hesterly. Photo courtesy of the Burgert Brothers collection.\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/picture-7.png\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_picture-7.png\"\n               data-image-id=\"227\"\n               data-title=\"picture-7\"\n               data-description=\"The armory is named after the developer and second mayor of West Tampa Homer W. Hesterly. Photo courtesy of the Burgert Brothers collection.\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"795217147713dbe71f8c5791e68e3674\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"picture-7\"\n                    alt=\"picture-7\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_picture-7.png\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-6\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/picture-5.png\"\n               title=\"During the 1920s, the land was taken over by the Florida National Guard, who built an armory in 1941. Photo courtesy of the Burgert Brothers collection.\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/picture-5.png\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_picture-5.png\"\n               data-image-id=\"228\"\n               data-title=\"picture-5\"\n               data-description=\"During the 1920s, the land was taken over by the Florida National Guard, who built an armory in 1941. Photo courtesy of the Burgert Brothers collection.\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"795217147713dbe71f8c5791e68e3674\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"picture-5\"\n                    alt=\"picture-5\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_picture-5.png\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-7\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/picture-4.png\"\n               title=\"This Burgert Brothers photo shows Fort Homer during its days as an armory and events center.\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/picture-4.png\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_picture-4.png\"\n               data-image-id=\"229\"\n               data-title=\"picture-4\"\n               data-description=\"This Burgert Brothers photo shows Fort Homer during its days as an armory and events center.\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"795217147713dbe71f8c5791e68e3674\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"picture-4\"\n                    alt=\"picture-4\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_picture-4.png\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-8\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/picture-3.png\"\n               title=\"The was once an airfield known as Benjamin Field. Photo courtesy of the Burgert Brothers collection.\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/picture-3.png\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_picture-3.png\"\n               data-image-id=\"230\"\n               data-title=\"picture-3\"\n               data-description=\"The was once an airfield known as Benjamin Field. Photo courtesy of the Burgert Brothers collection.\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"795217147713dbe71f8c5791e68e3674\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"picture-3\"\n                    alt=\"picture-3\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_picture-3.png\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-9\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/picture-6.png\"\n               title=\"Elvis Presley performed at Fort Homer several times. Other notable musical acts include Nat King Cole, Pink Floyd, The Doors and Blue Oyster Cult. Photo courtesy of the Burgert Brothers collection.\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/picture-6.png\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_picture-6.png\"\n               data-image-id=\"231\"\n               data-title=\"picture-6\"\n               data-description=\"Elvis Presley performed at Fort Homer several times. Other notable musical acts include Nat King Cole, Pink Floyd, The Doors and Blue Oyster Cult. Photo courtesy of the Burgert Brothers collection.\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"795217147713dbe71f8c5791e68e3674\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"picture-6\"\n                    alt=\"picture-6\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_picture-6.png\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-10\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/picture-5-14-39-03.png\"\n               title=\"A rendering of the new Tampa Jewish Community Center &amp; Foundation building, provided by JCC Tampa\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/picture-5-14-39-03.png\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_picture-5-14-39-03.png\"\n               data-image-id=\"232\"\n               data-title=\"picture-5-14-39-03\"\n               data-description=\"A rendering of the new Tampa Jewish Community Center &amp; Foundation building, provided by JCC Tampa\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"795217147713dbe71f8c5791e68e3674\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"picture-5-14-39-03\"\n                    alt=\"picture-5-14-39-03\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_picture-5-14-39-03.png\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-11\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/picture-4-14-39-03.png\"\n               title=\"A rendering of the new Tampa Jewish Community Center &amp; Foundation building, provided by JCC Tampa\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/picture-4-14-39-03.png\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_picture-4-14-39-03.png\"\n               data-image-id=\"233\"\n               data-title=\"picture-4-14-39-03\"\n               data-description=\"A rendering of the new Tampa Jewish Community Center &amp; Foundation building, provided by JCC Tampa\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"795217147713dbe71f8c5791e68e3674\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"picture-4-14-39-03\"\n                    alt=\"picture-4-14-39-03\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_picture-4-14-39-03.png\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"ngg-image-12\" class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box\" >\n\t\t\t\t        <div class=\"ngg-gallery-thumbnail\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/picture-3-14-39-03.png\"\n               title=\"A rendering of the new Tampa Jewish Community Center &amp; Foundation building, provided by JCC Tampa\"\n               data-src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/picture-3-14-39-03.png\"\n               data-thumbnail=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_picture-3-14-39-03.png\"\n               data-image-id=\"234\"\n               data-title=\"picture-3-14-39-03\"\n               data-description=\"A rendering of the new Tampa Jewish Community Center &amp; Foundation building, provided by JCC Tampa\"\n               class=\"ngg-fancybox\" rel=\"795217147713dbe71f8c5791e68e3674\">\n                <img\n                    title=\"picture-3-14-39-03\"\n                    alt=\"picture-3-14-39-03\"\n                    src=\"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/jcc\/thumbs\/thumbs_picture-3-14-39-03.png\"\n                    width=\"120\"\n                    height=\"90\"\n                    style=\"max-width:100%;\"\n                \/>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n        \n\t\t\n\t\t<!-- Pagination -->\n\t<div class='ngg-clear'><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\n<p>Fort Homer W. Hesterly<\/p>\n<p>Built 1941<\/p>\n<p>Then: Fort Homer W. Hesterly<\/p>\n<p>Now: Future home of the Tampa Jewish Community Center &amp; Federation<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Tampa Jewish Community Center and Federation recently purchased Fort Home W. Hesterly armory and has plans to use the building as the home to its new 83,000 SQ FT facility. The history of Fort Homer dates back to the early 1900s, when President Theodore Roosevelt\u2019s Rough Riders used the site during the Spanish-American War. It later became an airfield known as Benjamin Field. During the 1920s, the land was taken over by the Florida National Guard, who built an armory in 1941.<\/p>\n<p>The National Guard occupied the building until 2004 but held control of Fort Homer until October 1 when the Tampa JCC officially signed a 99-year lease. JCC Executive Director Jack Ross says the new facility will better serve Tampa\u2019s Jewish population.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAbout 46-percent of our Jewish community lives south of I-275, making it the highest concentration of Jewish people in the nation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>The $18-million Jewish Community Center will feature a 14,000 SQ FT preschool, a junior Olympic size pool, event space, full gymnasium, fitness programs, a fine arts center and more. As of press time, the group was currently halfway to the fundraising goals of their capital campaign. In January, Ross says they\u2019ll announce the title sponsor for the building. The target date for the unveiling is 2015.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In the Details<\/p>\n<p>Elvis Presley performed at Fort Homer several times. Other notable musical acts include Nat King Cole, Pink Floyd, The Doors and Blue Oyster Cult.<\/p>\n<p>President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated four days after speaking in Tampa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fort Homer W. Hesterly Built 1941 Then: Fort Homer W. Hesterly Now: Future home of the Tampa Jewish Community Center &amp; Federation &nbsp; The Tampa Jewish Community Center and Federation recently purchased Fort Home W. Hesterly armory and has plans to use the building as the home to its new 83,000 SQ FT facility. The [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":714,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1759,5,1764],"tags":[1556,1557,1560,1559,1554,1553,1555,1558],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/682"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=682"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/682\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/714"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=682"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=682"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/southtampamagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=682"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}