Julian Lane

Julian Barnes Lane Sr. (October 21, 1914 – May 4, 1997) was the 48th mayor of Tampa, Florida, and later a member of the Florida Legislature.

Early life and education

Lane was born in Tampa, Florida. He grew up in the Seminole Heights neighborhood and graduated from Hillsborough High School in Tampa. Afterward, Lane attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach Dutch Stanley and coach Josh Cody's Florida Gators football team from 1934 to 1936, and of which he was team captain in 1936. He was also a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity (Alpha Omega chapter). Lane graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1937, and was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a "distinguished letter winner" in 1990. When he was attending the University of Florida he met his future wife, Frances LaMotte. After graduating from college, he worked for Firestone for the next three years. In December 1940, Lane married Frances LaMotte.

Upon returning to Tampa, he eventually became the president of the Tampa Bay Milk Producers. A historical marker for the sit-ins would be revealed in May 2018. The Tampa Tribune also worked with the mayor to help ensure that integration in Tampa was as orderly as possible.

Lane was defeated for re-election in 1963 by former mayor Nuccio, whom Lane had defeated in 1959.

Lane served terms as a state representative, from 1970 to 1972, and as a state senator, from 1973 to 1976.

Retirement and legacy

Julian and his wife Frances Elizabeth LaMotte (1917–1998), had 4 children – Susan LaMotte Lane, Julian B. Lane Jr., Virginia Lane, and William LaMotte Lane (d. 2012), and seven grandchildren.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Tampa.

Lane returned to Tampa to retire after his state political career. He died there in 1997; he was 82 years old. He is buried at Myrtle Hill Cemetery in Tampa.

The Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in Tampa is named for him. It underwent an extensive renovation during Mayor Bob Buckhorn's tenure and re-opened in 2018.

Electoral history