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Tampa Bay History Center author - Rodney Kite-Powell

Rodney Kite-Powell headshot

About Rodney Kite-Powell

Director, Touchton Map Library

Rodney Kite-Powell is the Director of the Touchton Map Library and Florida Center for Cartographic Education at the Tampa Bay History Center, where he joined the staff in 1995. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Florida and a Master of Arts from the University of South Florida—both in the subject of U.S. history. Born and raised in Tampa, Fla., he has written and lectured extensively on the history of Tampa, Hillsborough County, and Florida.

Kite-Powell is an officer with the Philip Lee Phillips Society of the Library of Congress, where he serves on the Academic Committee. In 2019, he was named the official county historian for Hillsborough County by the Board of County Commissioners. He is the author of three books, including History of Davis Islands: David P. Davis and the Story of a Landmark Tampa Neighborhood (2013), Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club: A Centennial Celebration (2016), and Tampa Bay’s Waterfront: Its History and Development, co-authored with Arthur Savage (2017).

Media Contact

Billy Somerville: (813) 675-8985
[email protected]

Articles by Rodney Kite-Powell

Tampa Bay History

Tampa’s hidden oasis

Before the days of backyard pools and giant water parks, Tampa’s residents (which should be clarified as the city’s white residents) flocked to the spring and pool at Sulphur Springs. 
Tampa Bay History

Tampa’s baseball legacy

Baseball has been part of Tampa’s history as early as the early 1880s, and the entire region has enjoyed playing and watching the game ever since. Baseball played during its 
Tampa Bay History

Florida’s sweetest festival

Attracting and entertaining tourists and locals alike since 1930, Plant City’s yearly event celebrates the sweet red berry with musical acts, carnival games and rides, agricultural exhibitions, and literal tons of strawberry shortcake.
Tampa Bay History

“Maas Brothers, of course!”

Maas Brothers Department store, founded in Tampa in 1887 by brothers Abe and Isaac Maas, tracked the lives of generations of area residents. From christening gowns to toys, Maas Brothers