Name/Title
The Russell "E" Tour BoatEntry/Object ID
2025.4.15Scope and Content
A black and white photograph with boats tied to the dock and the Russell "E" Tour boat in the background.Context
One of the early businesses the Eberhardt family operated was the Russell "E" Tour boat which carried people up and down the Nottawasaga River as well as across the bay to Collingwood. The tour boat can be seen in the background of the photograph with people sitting on the boat. There is also a canoe or row boat sitting on the roof of the tour boat. The Russell "E" Tour Boat business was started by Charlie Eberhardt in 1920. Charlie named the boat after his son Russell, who eventually took over the business. The tour boat was operational into the 1950's. It was 22' long and 12' wide and could hold 20-25 passengers. It was not unusual to see passengers seated on the top of the tour boat roof if all of the seats were full.
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. Charles also built a general store located at the northwest end of the Main Street Bridge. 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. In later years the Eberhardts also operated a taxi business and a miniature golf. Ivan Eberhardt took over the ice business from his father, Charles Eberhardt, in 1952.
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.
Lorraine's donation of family photographs, documents and artifacts, 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