Curtis Hixon

Curtis Hixon (November 23, 1891 – May 21, 1956) was mayor of Tampa, Florida from November 1943 until he died.

"Oh, Florida!: How America's Weirdest State Influences the Rest of the Country By Craig Pittman" notes that, "Tampa mobsters testified about payoffs to the sheriff, the town constable, the police chief, the state attorney, even Mayor Curtis Hixon. One told of driving his boss over to Hixon's house and waiting outside while the two men discussed business. (Hixon once told a police lieutenant who was his bagman that he didn't see anything wrong with taking payoffs of up to $100,000 "as long as there's no greed or killings or no scandals.") In the end, only the sheriff got in trouble. For the others, it was as if the testimony evaporated into thin air the moment it was spoken. Not only did they face no legal consequences, but, as one historian pointed out, Hixon now has a lovely waterfront Park in downtown Tampa named for him."

In 1947 Hixon presented movie star Mary Hatcher, who grew up in Tampa, with a golden key to the city in recognition of her playing the title role in Paramount's all-star revue Variety Girl. Hatcher returned to Tampa for a gala opening of the film at the Tampa Theatre and crowds turned out to honor her.

Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is named for him, as was Curtis Hixon Hall before it was demolished in 1993.

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