Salvador Rodriguez (1845-1922) was a Spanish immigrant from Asturias who went to Cuba when he was fifteen and learned the cigar business there at an early age.  After leaving Havana in 1871, he established in New York City where he was soon thereafter offered a partnership in the Celestino Palacios & Co. cigar business.  

In 1889 Salvador joined a fledging new group of cigar entrepreneurs that had established cigar manufacturing operations in Tampa and in 1891 opened a three-story wooden cigar factory with a large basement on what is today 402 S 22nd St. in Palmetto Beach, just south of Ybor City.  It is only the second wooden cigar factory remaining today in Tampa, the other being the Oliva-Monne cigar factory. 

As stated in the March 1902 Tobacco publication, "Business is reported as exceedingly good at the factory of Slavador Rodriguez.  Many new jobbers have placed accounts with this old and reliable concern this year and have been more than pleased with it since the business was opened.  The indications are that the Charles the Great factory will soon be compelled to have larger quarters to handle the growing business which is coming its way."  Production at the Palmetto Beach factory continued until 1903 when they moved to a brand new much larger three story brick building today known as the Charles the Great factory building and currently owned by Arturo Fuente Cigar Factory, Inc.  

The May 27, 1908 edition of the Tobacco Publication states that José Pando of Garcia, Pando & Co. announced they were leasing the facility "previously occupied by Salvador Rodriguez in Palmetto Beach" and would start operations in a week.  The publication also stated that they would keep their factory in New York for some time eventually abolishing the New York factory and establishing their headquarters in Tampa.

The siding installed on this 17,000 sq. ft. building covers the over one hundred windows the building had while used as a cigar factory to allow enough light and ventilation for its workers.  It is currently owned by DMF of Tampa, Inc. and houses the offices of Pilgrim Permacoat, Inc.