Ybor City Cigar Factory Series: Bustillo Brothers & Diaz

In 1895, the Bustillo Brothers cigar company moved from Havana, Cuba to West Tampa, They brought with them 120 workers.

[su_pullquote]The factory building was the scene of the shooting of Bustillo’s bookkeeper. Consequently, a group of locals identified two Italian men and lynched them.[/su_pullquote]

The factory was constructed in 1902. It is a three story building with a maximum capacity of 600 workers. In addition, it also holds the distinction of being the 2nd oldest cigar factory in West Tampa.

Apparently this wayward group of people wandering around West Tampa for 8 years. Eventually, in 1903, the Bustillo Bros. & Diaz cigar company moved into the factory.

Labor strikes occurred in 1910. The factory building was the scene of the shooting of Bustillo’s bookkeeper. Consequently, a group of locals identified two Italian men and lynched them.

In 1918, the Bustillo Bros. & Diaz company consolidated with Preferred Havana Cigar Company. After that, they moved to Ybor City.

Perhaps tiring of Ybor, everybody moved back to West Tampa in 1931.

Cigar Brands: Virginia, Henry the Fourth, Alexander Humboldt

Photo Gallery (click images for full view)

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Coming to a close

Villazon & Co. buys out the Bustillo brand like many other Ybor City / West Tampa based brands. After the buyout, in 1953, Bustillo Bros. & Diaz closed the factory.

Antonio Company brings the building back to life from 1959 to 1970.

The factory is currently used as office space and has been kept up nicely.