Name/Title
Charles Eberhardt & Family, circa 1930'sEntry/Object ID
2025.4.23Scope and Content
Photograph (digital copy)Context
Charlie Eberhardt was one of Wasaga’s early entrepreneurs who moved to the area circa 1905. Mr. Eberhardt caught and sold fish to neighbours and summer visitors. He also operated an ice cutting business. The Eberhardt family lived at the corner of River Road West and Beck Street where Gough’s Landing is now located. There was a large barn behind the Eberhardt home where the ice was stored; covered with sawdust and woodchips. Ice blocks were cut from Marl Lake and Nottawasaga Bay in the winter to sell to locals and tourists to keep their food cold as refrigerators were not common then. Charles Eberhardt built a general store located at the northwest end of the Main Street Bridge, the corner of Main Street and Mosley Street. He then added a second floor and began renting rooms to tourists and year-round visitors. The top floor of the store eventually became a classroom for students. The Eberhardt's operated a park and campground and also a ferry to take people up and down the river and across the bay from Wasaga to Collingwood. In later years they operated a taxi business and a miniature golf. Ivan Eberhardt took over the ice business from his father, Charles Eberhardt in 1952. Part of the original barn and Eberhardt home was incorporated into the Gough's Landing condo complex when it was built on the property.
Lorraine Pomeroy (Eberhardt), donor of the photograph notes: Charles Eberhardt and his wife Minnie are in the middle with Russ and Ken in the back, Ivan, (my dad,) on the front right and Minnie Speers, (nee Eberhardt), front left.
Lorraine Pomeroy (Eberhardt) is daughter of Ivan and Bessie Eberhardt, sister of Robert (Bob) and Harvey Eberhardt and granddaughter of Charles (Charlie) Eberhardt. Lorraine's donation, along with a previous generous donation of $5000 to the Archives, is made in memory of her grandfather Charles Eberhardt and father Ivan Eberhardt.Acquisition
Accession
2025.4Acquisition Method
Gift