The former home of the late Homer W. Hesterly, the namesake of South Tampa's iconic Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, is now on the market in the Palma Ceia neighborhood.
Located at 2903 W Estrella St., the Dutch-Colonial-style home was built around 1925, and Hesterly and his wife were the longest known tenants, says Tampa Bay History Center Director Rodney Kite-Powell to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Over the years, the 2,544-square-foot home has since witnessed multiple owners and plenty of upgrades, but still maintains plenty of original charm, like the original cedar floor, detailed trim-work, and an original double-wall fireplace.
Hesterly was the former commander of the 116th Field Artillery Battalion, which was stationed at the site of the armory from 1934-1954. But most people arguably associate his name with the massive art deco building in South Tampa that is now the home of the Bryan Glazer Family JCC.
The site itself is rich in history, seeing as it was where Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders camped in the days leading up to the Spanish-American War. After the building's completion in 1941, the armory was the site of some of Tampa's biggest speeches, sporting events and concerts, with a roster spanning iconic names like John F. Kennedy, Elvis Presley, Martin Luther King Jr., James Brown, Pink Floyd, and more.
Hesterly died in 1957, and is buried at the Myrtle Hill Memorial Park.
The Hesterly house is currently asking $599,000, and the listing agent is Robbie Henderson.
Photos via Realtor.com
