Photographer William “Bill” Elsner with models and his Hasselblad camera at the groundbreaking of the Anheuser-Busch brewery in Jacksonville December 12, 1967. A graduate of Lee High School Elsner’s photographic career started in the military during W.W. II where he served as an aerial photographer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill during fighting in the Pacific. In the 1950’s he took over his father’s photography business in Jacksonville that was started in 1919. The two generations of Elsner photographers documented a broad sweep of Jacksonville history with their cameras. Elsner passed away in 2009 at the age of 89.
Tags: Anheuser-Busch, Bill Elsner, camera, groundbreaking, Hasselblad, photographer, women
The model to the left of the photographer is my mother. Judy Rogers Wolfersberger
Joseph, Thank you so much for putting a name with the face! Feel free to share more about your mom if you would like. Bob Self/Vintage Jacksonville
Joseph, your mother, Judy Rogers Wolfersberger, was a beautiful lady back in 1967. Is she still living today?
Bob – Love the site! I live in a house in St Johns Park off Herschel that according to the city was built in 1914, and I love thinking about what the city and my neighborhood looked like back then and over the years.
Do you know if there is any online repository of Elsners photos?
Wes, I believe the Jacksonville Historical Society has quite a bit of work by Bill Elsner in it’s collection. Bob Self/Vintage Jacksonville
My mother, Marianna Thompson, called “Mickey,” worked for a photography studio around 1936-1938 when she was in high school and college. I think she did the hand-coloring on the portraits. I’m guessing it might have been Elsner’s Photo and Art Shop at 26 West Forsyth. She was a beautiful young woman and might also have been a model for William Elsner Sr. I don’t suppose there are any records of employees from that time period?
Carolyn, I have no idea about employees. I know Loyd Sandgren and other photographers of that era often did work for each other but I have yet to meet anyone who worked for Mr. Elsner. I wish I could be of more assistance. Bob Self/Vintage Jacksonville