A Gator Bowl Queen from the 1950’s. I’m sure someone out there knows the name of these lovely ladies and would like to share them with the rest of us.
I spoke with Gator Bowl Association President and CEO Rick Catlett about the history of the Gator Bowl queens. The game dates back to 1946 and I would guess the tradition of the queen goes back pretty far as well but according to Catlett the royal line ended shortly after he took over the organization in 1993. “Beauty pageants got to be difficult in the 1990’s and we had a contestant that did not win make a legal challenge against the association.” At that point lawyers became involved and Catlett decided “it’s just not worth it” and Gator Bowl royalty became another part of Jacksonville’s history.
Tags: 009154, Flowers, Football, gator bowl, historic photography, pageant, queen, Rick Catlett, roses, sports, vintage photograph, women
Thank God beauty queens don’t wear lip stick any longer. Lip gloss perhaps, but that painted on lipstick is one thing that takes away from an otherwise beautiful girl.
The woman with the crown is my mother Anne Frances Cutcliff (maiden name Nicholson). She passed away on February 27, 2018 and was a fantastic mother of six, grandmother to 13 and great grandmother of two. She was loved by all and will be missed by many.
Mr. Cutcliff, I’m sorry to hear about your mother passing but thank you for sharing the information about her. The photographs in the Loyd Sandgren collection mean so much more when there is a family or community connection that can be added to them. It sounds like she had a wonderful life beyond her rein as Gator Bowl queen. Bob Self/Vintage Jacksonville
Bob, I am a little late in replying but thank you for your comments. I completely forgot that I had even found this forum and a friend asked me about when my mother has been the Gator Bowl Queen and I once again went to the internet to check. Hope you had a super Thanksgiving and have a great Christmas.
Is there a list of Miss Gator Bowl Queens? My mom was Miss Jax Beach and my brother tells everyone she was a Gator Bowl queen too. I can’t find any records to verify. I don’t think she was.
Ms. Roland, I have not been able to find a definitive list but if you have an idea of the year that might make it easier to track down. There is also a Gator Bowl Association and they may be able to help you in your search. Good luck! Bob Self/Vintage Jacksonville
My Grandmother, Carolyn Anderson (maiden name, Lindstrom) was the 3rd Gator Bowl Queen. My grandfather, Charles Clark was her escort.