A trip back in time: 10 historic spots sharing hints of TPA's past

Tampa International Airport's current terminal opened more than 50 years ago in 1971, but the airfield's history goes back much further. In fact, TPA is approaching its 100th anniversary in a few years after it was dedicated as Tampa's municipal airport on February 22, 1928.

Originally known as Drew Field, the airport was named after Tampa cattleman and land developer John H. Drew, who owned the land on which Tampa International Airport would eventually be built. During World War II, the site was developed as Drew Army Airfield and served as headquarters for the III Fighter Command. The facility had 25,000 personnel and was a training center for the Third Air Force, preparing fighter and heavy bomber aircrews for combat.

After the war, the land was transferred back to the city, with the first international flights beginning on December 15, 1946. Ten months later, the airfield was renamed Tampa International Airport, and the rest, as they say, is history.

While TPA has transformed into the modern and beloved airport it is today, if you look around, you can still find some hints of its interesting past. Here are 10 spots around the airport that can teach us all some pretty cool history about TPA.