Florida Photographic Concern Collection

Florida Photographic Concern Collection

Henry “Harry” Emerson Hill (1865-1937), a Canadian, had settled in Titusville, Penn in 1884. In 1894 he and his wife (Katherine Nelson Hill, 1865-1932) moved to Florida, eventually settling in Spruce Bluff, Florida, on the north fork of the St. Lucie River, then in Ft. Pierce in 1898. He established an apiary, grew pineapples, and was the editor of a magazine, The American Bee Keeper. He established the Florida Photographic Concern in 1904.

The business was very successful and expanded rapidly. The FPC photographers A.T. Weaver and R. Lockwood Moss recorded the construction of the Flagler F.E.C. extension, from Miami to Key West (FPT 16 Feb 1906). The Fort Pierce News records that a satellite office was established in London (28 May 1909). In November 1909, they opened a sales room next to Fort Pierce Drug Company, in the room formerly occupied by the Edge tonsorial shop. In 1910 a two-story addition to their gallery on North Pine was built.

There were several photographers employed by FPC. R. Lockwood Moss and A.T. Weaver were often on the road taking photographs all over Florida, including the construction of the Florida East Coast railway from Miami to Key West in 1906. Also, a J.M. Bonner and Miller were employed. His brother, Frederick Grant Hill (1882-1973) was also involved with the business, as a photo finisher and photographer; he was also a mechanic. His son Lowell Gordon Hill (1894-1955) was also a photographer and his wife Merle Thompson Hill worked as a manager and photo finisher.

Harry Hill retired in about 1931 and his son Lowell became the owner and manager until his death in 1955. Lowell’s wife, Merle Thompson Hill (1895-1969), continued to manage the business until about 1966.