Florida Humanities Council

Interviewee Collection Sort descending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Elizabeth Jones Vanishing Culture Project

Elizabeth Pearson Jones talks about her family history and a 1921 hurricane.

Michael Jepson Cortez, FL Florida Humanities Council, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Maritime Museum
Sue Maddox Vanishing Culture Project

In this interview, Sue Turner Maddox talks about family history, not in the fishing industry.  Her husband had a drive-in in Mulberry.  They divorced and she moved to Cortez in 1965.  Maddox had visited with cousins here before.  She worked at Moore Stone crab and Bell fish Company in order to support her kids.  She got involved in fighting drug problems in Cortez and Bradenton in the 70's with some harrowing results.  She still working at Bell's Fish Company.

Michael Jepson, Wayne Nield Cortez, FL Florida Humanities Council, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Maritime Museum
Raymond S. Pringle, Jr. & Raymond S. Pringle, Sr. Vanishing Culture Project

Oral history interview with father and son, Raymond Stargill Pringle, Jr. and Sr.

Michael Jepson Cortez, FL Florida Humanities Council, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Maritime Museum
Albert Mora Vanishing Culture Project

"When you go into another man's territory you've got to fish like he does. You've got to learn to fish like they fish or you won't catch nothin'. Everybody learns. Every community fishes different."

Michael Jepson, Wayne Nield Cortez, FL Florida Humanities Council, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Maritime Museum
Vernon Mora Vanishing Culture Project

Vernon Mora discusses family history, fishing in Sarasota Bay.  He fished for A.P. Bell and Fulfords, worked on a dredge for a while, had a shrimp boat for a while.

Michael Jepson, Wayne Nield Cortez, FL Florida Humanities Council, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Maritime Museum
Raymond Stargill Pringle, Jr. Vanishing Culture Project

Raymond Pringle, Jr. discusses family life, fishing with various others, seine and gill netting.  He expresses bitterness about all the regulations imposed on commercial fishing.

Michael Jepson Cortez, FL Florida Humanities Council, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Maritime Museum
Alcee Taylor Vanishing Culture Project

Alcee Taylor is a native of Cortez, Florida, a historic fishing village known for its rich maritime heritage. Born into a family of boat builders, Taylor's father was known for building skiffs, a versatile type of boat that was adapted to the shallow waters of Florida's bays and estuaries. Taylor himself has a deep connection with the fishing industry, having bought fish in North Carolina and worked with the Florida Shrimp Exchange. He also served in the military, after which he engaged in fishing activities in North Carolina.

Michael Jepson, Wayne Nield Cortez, FL Florida Humanities Council, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Maritime Museum
Henry Adams Vanishing Culture Project

Henry Clayton Adams was born on August 27, 1921, in Cortez, Florida, to parents Willis Adams and Dora Jean Adams. He was one of nine siblings, with five brothers named Hugh, Leon, Howard, Cleve, and C.D., and three sisters named Pauline, Doris, and Mabel. Henry was married to Pauline Adams for 42 years and had one adopted son. Growing up during the Great Depression, Henry's early life was shaped by the challenges of the era. He pursued a career as a fisherman, a profession deeply rooted in his coastal upbringing.

Michael Jepson Cortez, FL Florida Humanities Council, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Maritime Museum
Earl Taylor Vanishing Culture Project

Mr. Earl Taylor talks about his fishing history with others over the years. He quit when he was married and was a cook for a while before he came back to fishing.

Michael Jepson Cortez, FL Florida Humanities Council, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Maritime Museum
Calvin Bell Vanishing Culture Project

Calvin Edison Bell was born on November 14, 1929. He is the son of Aaron Park Bell, a commercial fisherman from North Carolina, and Jessie Blanche Fulford. Calvin grew up in a family of seven children, with five brothers and one sister. He lived in the same house in Cortez, Florida, for his entire life. Calvin followed in his father's footsteps and became a commercial fisherman, participating in various types of fishing including mackerel fishing, mullet fishing, and seine fishing.

Michael Jepson, Wayne Nield Cortez, FL Florida Humanities Council, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Maritime Museum