Tampa was founded in 1824 as Fort Brooke; the 'Village of Tampa' was incorporated in 1849 and received a town charter in 1855. The name Tampa derives from the Cree ''Itimpi'', 'close to it or 'near it', though what 'it' was supposed to be near is unknown. | Tampa was founded in 1824 as Fort Brooke; the 'Village of Tampa' was incorporated in 1849 and received a town charter in 1855. The name Tampa derives from the Cree ''Itimpi'', 'close to it or 'near it', though what 'it' was supposed to be near is unknown. |