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Longtime Plant City Photographer To Be Honored

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By GEORGE WILKENS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 13, 2009

PLANT CITY - Gladys Jeffcoat, a professional photographer for 45 years, will be presented the Heritage Award at a March 26 Plant City Photo Archives annual gala.

The Plant City native's extensive photography career began at age 16, and her life's work chronicles Plant City's heritage and history, archives President Ed Verner said.

Still in high school, in 1941, the 16-year-old was earning $1 weekly at The Hollywood Studio, a Plant City portrait business, said Gil Gott, archives executive director. She learned the business from the ground up, from darkroom work to lighting and timing.

At 19, the Plant City native convinced the owner of Kramer Photo Service to sell his studio to her — on a monthly installment plan.

"At that time, they did most, if not all, photography in studios; it was basically portraits," Gott said. "She was one of the first to actually go out on site," shooting high school sports and other activities.

Jeffcoat was the official photographer for Plant City High School and the Florida Strawberry Festival. Her Arcade Studio was Plant City's first camera shop and Eastman Kodak retailer.

Jeffcoat, 84, retired in 1990 and last year turned over thousands of her photos to the Plant City Photo Archives to ensure they are preserved.

In addition to her photography, Jeffcoat was active in preservation of the area's history and heritage through the East Hillsborough Historical Society, of which she is a founding member.

She was active in efforts to preserve the 1914 Plant City High School Community Center, was on the Arts Council of Plant City board and active with the council's efforts to save the historic train depot. Jeffcoat was named Woman of Achievement by the Plant City Business & Professional Women's Club in 1985.

"She's an interesting woman," summed up Gott.

The seventh annual black-tie-optional gala, Evening of Picture-Perfect Memories, will include an exhibit of Jeffcoat's photography, music by the Florida Southern College jazz combo, a continuous hors d'oeuvres buffet, complimentary beer and wine, a cash bar and more.

Presented to an outstanding citizen for helping preserve the community's history and heritage, the Heritage Award was instituted in 2004. Recipients are selected based on their community service and contributions to the area's heritage.

Previous winners include David E. Bailey Jr., James L. Redman, Robert Trinkle, B.M. "Mac" Smith Jr., Betty Barker Watkins and Hal Brewer.

The Plant City Photo Archives preserves the area's photo history and has thousands of photos at its headquarters at 119 N. Collins St.

The gala will be at 6:30 p.m. March 26 at Red Rose Ballroom, Red Rose Inn and Suites, 2011 N. Wheeler St. Cost is $75 per archives member or $85 for nonmembers. For information, call (813) 754-1578, e-mail candy@plantcityphotoarchives.org or go to www.plantcityphotoarchives.org.

Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 865-4433.

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