Jeff Cannon is a native of Hudson, Florida. His keen interest in local history comes with true sincerity; his family first settled in present day Pasco County, FL, in the late 1870s - not too far from what was to become the Town of Hudson. His great-great-grandfather helped to establish a small community school, church, and post office near today’s Hudson Avenue and Hays Road on land now owned by Word of Life Bible Camp.
At age 16, Cannon interned with local TV News station WTVT Fox 13 learning many investigative and research techniques as an on-air reporter for a teen talk show. In his capacity he also worked behind the scenes coordinating, researching, and planning for the weekly talk show.
Cannon has been actively involved with historic preservation in Pasco County for more than 10 years. In 2009, he released his first book title Images of America: Hudson, followed by his second book Then & Now: New Port Richey in 2011. Between 2011 and 2014, as a freelance contributor, Cannon wrote a weekly column for the New Port Richey Patch and Land O' Lakes Patch titled "Moving Forward-Looking Back."
In addition, Cannon has also written articles and submitted research materials to several nationally recognized organization such as Discover Black Florida, University of South Florida Africana Heritage Project, Civil War Florida and the African-American Historical and Genealogical Society.
Cannon has also served as the President of the West Elfers Cemetery Preservation Assoc. Inc., President of the Hudson Cemetery Preservation Assoc. Inc, Vice-Chairman of the East Elfers Cemetery Committee, President of Hudson Rotary, board member of Greater Main Street New Port Richey, and as a member of the Pasco County Historical Preservation Committee.
His other service includes being seated on the Pasco County Post Disaster Redevelopment Committee, Pasco County Land Development Code Re-Write Committee, and the Pasco County West Market Redevelopment Committee.
He is also a life-time member of the West Pasco Historical Society Inc. and the Pioneer Florida Museum Assoc. When not writing or conducting historical research, Cannon is busy with speaking engagements and working to bring awareness to historic preservation in Pasco and Hernando Counties.
Cannon hopes that his community work will aid and inspire others to explore and preserve Pasco County's rich history and sometimes almost forgotten past.
