Name/Title
Ivan & Gwen Eberhardt, 1975Entry/Object ID
2025.4.12Scope and Content
Photograph of Ivan & Gwen Eberhardt, June 13, 1975 holding sturgeon fishContext
Lorraine Pomeroy (Eberhardt), donor of the photograph, is daughter of Ivan and Bessie Eberhardt, sister of Robert (Bob) and Harvey Eberhardt and granddaughter of Charles (Charlie) Eberhardt. Bessie Eberhart passed away in 1967. After Bessie's passing, Ivan married Gwen. The photograph shows Ivan and Gwen Eberhardt each holding a large sturgeon fish on June 13, 1975. Fishing was one of the businesses that the Eberhardt family operated.
Eberhardt Family History:
Charlie Eberhardt was one of Wasaga’s early entrepreneurs who moved to the area around 1905. Mr. Eberhardt caught fish and sold them 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 their house where the ice was stored; covered with sawdust and woodchips. Part of the original barn was incorporated into the Gough's Landing condo complex when it was built. 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. Charlie built a general store located at the northwest end of the Main Street Bridge. He 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 family also ferried 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. Ivan was born in 1920. He attended school with his sister Minnie and brothers Russell and Ken, above the Eberhardt's Store. Ivan was awarded his 30 year pin from the Ontario Fire College and was honoured by the Wasaga Beach Fire Department for his years of volunteer service just prior to his passing in 1979.
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
GiftDimensions
Height
3-3/8 inWidth
4-1/4 in
