Posts Tagged ‘Pensacola FL’
Frank Hardy Studio … Scotland?
Someone ran across my blog from England earlier this month and emailed me asking if I had any relatives in Scotland that were photographers. He then went on to say that he had a family photograph made in Saltcoats Scotland and on the back is a stamp by a Frank Hardy from Promenade Studio, Saltcoats. The photo was made back in the 1940’s and it was from a time that they had taken a vacation trip to Scotland. Then he emailed me the front and back side of his photograph and I want to share them with you below:
As you can see, it is a nice portrait of a family on vacation … I like the painted backdrop that was used to show the ocean in background. These types of portraits were very popular in these resort towns around the world. In fact, it looks as if it could have been in Atlantic City New Jersey or some place like that in America. The man who emailed me this asked if this Frank Hardy could be any relation to me and I told him that I seriously doubt it. If anyone reading this blog ever runs across any other Hardy’s from Scotland, I would be interested in hearing from them, since this is the first time that I have heard of any. When Pam and I went to Ireland several years back, I inquired around, but did not find any.
Thanks again for looking and as usual, all comments are welcome …
Nurse with Newborn …
This nurse and newborn were in the old Sacred Heart Hospital sometime back in the 1950’s. I do not have any information about who the nurse or the baby were … the baby looks small, but clean and healthy. If anyone recognizes the nurse, please let me hear from you. Thanks for looking …
The ” Milk Bottle ” …
I can remember my dad taking us the Milk Bottle many a nights for ice creme when I was young. It was located where the parking lot across the Pensacola Civic Center is now located. I think that would be the corner of Davis and Gregory Streets. I do not remember ever going inside and eating … I can only remember driving up in the car and I believe someone came out and took your order. And I do not think that they were on roller skates! Let us hear your memories from the Milk Bottle … thanks for looking.
The Grounds Keeper …
This is one of my all-time favorite photos … no special reason, except once you start looking at the photo all sorts of things start appearing. First, look at all of the trash lying on the grounds. Next, you see that there is a chicken wire fence separating the people in the stands from the players on the field, so all of this trash is from the players! I guess that they did not have trash cans back in the 1950’s or the players must have felt that the grounds keepers would pick up after them. Then you look at the grounds keeper himself … he has a smile on his face and he looks to be taking a lot of pride in his job. The guy has really looks to be enjoying himself … he is probably thinking to himself that he has a front row seat to the action, he gets in free and he is getting paid to be around a game that he obviously loves. The team must think a lot of him, because he is even included in a couple of the teams photos … I doubt that the Blue Wahoos are going to include their grounds keepers in their team photo. The Blue Wahoos, for those who do not know, is the name of the AA baseball team that will be playing at the new ballpark being built in downtown Pensacola. Thanks for looking …
PHS Twirlers …
Not sure exactly if these are the PHS Band Majorettes or the Twirlers for the band, but whatever … if anyone knows exactly please let us know. I am pretty sure that this photo was made in front of the old PHS that used to be over on Palafox Street. I ran this image through a Photoshop Filter named Lucis Art Filter and that filter is what gives this image the look it has. I like the look personally and think that it gives the image a little more ” snap ” if that is the word that I am looking for. I am not a big fan of gimmicky filters … it seems that so many photographers are using so many different effect type filters to turn a plain image into something spectacular, but I just consider it trying to turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse. But if the filter enhances the image, which I think this one does, I am all for it. That is enough of that … if anyone knows any of these girls, please let us know. Thanks … Frank
Borden’s Dairy …
This is the Borden’s Dairy plant that was located on Davis Highway, just south of Fairfield Drive. On the old site, this photo and the aerial of this plant that I am going to post next, were two separate posts, but I just decided to combine the two. The plant above is pretty much a straight commercial shot of the building itself … the aerial that I am going to post is interesting in that it was before the I-110 spur was built. Here is the aerial view of the Borden’s plan:
Notice how Fairfield Drive was just a two lane road, and I believe that back in the 1950’s when this photograph was taken it was called ” Pottery Plant Road “. You also see the drive-in that was located next to the plant. I do not remember the name of the drive-in so if anyone does, let us know the name. The school in back of the plant is still there and I believe that it is Brown-Barge Elementary, but please correct me if I am wrong. The houses across the street are all still there today. Remember that all comments are welcomed … thanks for looking.
Old Sacred Heart Hospital Aerial …
This aerial shows the old Sacred Heart Hospital and the Sacred Heart Nurse’s Home on 12th Avenue. To the north of the hospital is the building that once housed Friendly Service Grocery, Moulton’s Drug Store and a series of offices. One of these offices on Gonzalez Street was my father’s first photography studio. Also, notice that there is no office building across from the hospital. My father must have made this photo sometime in the late 1940’s.
Pat Duncan’s Card Shop …
Pat Duncan’s, looks like it is a Hallmark Card shop. My guess would be that it could have been located out at Town and Country Plaza, but as usual, I do not know the location of the business. It must have been in the 1960’s sometime, since if this is Town and Country Plaza, I do not believe it was built until the 60’s. All comments are welcomed … thanks for looking.
Al’s Bicycle Shop …
This is not a Frank Hardy Photograph, but a copy someone had brought us to photograph. I usually only saved something if it interested me and for some reason, this one did. Do not know where this business was located, but it looks as it was downtown Pensacola. Judging by the looks of the old car in the photo, this might have been in the 1920’s or 30’s. If this jars anyone’s memory, please let us know.
Spearman Brewery …
The next several posts are new and were not on the old site. This is a photo of Spearman Brewery that my father made. The brewery was located on Barrancas Avenue, just down from Government Street. I do not know any of the history of the plant / beer, but would be interested in hearing some. Note how the top of the main building flares out at the top. That is something that you seldom see in building construction today. When the building was torn down, the steel framing was left in place for years and was left there for what seems to be 10 or 20 years. I can remember the steel frames up in the 1970’s and some of the 80’s when I used to go down to Coast Photo further down Barrancas. I am interested if anyone has any comments on this photo … I will have to add this to my list of places to look up when I go back down to the Pensacola Historical Society. Thanks for looking.
Frank Hardy Made My Photographs Two 
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