Today I am visiting Eberhardt Motors in Egypt, Whitehall Township, they are celebrating their 90th anniversary in the automobile business.

My friend, Eric Eberhardt, asked if I would write a series on the history of the business. I agreed, and am hoping my many loyal readers in Northampton, Whitehall-Coplay, Catasauqua and the Parkland area may enjoy the series.

The roots of the Eberhart family are in 13th century Germany. (The spelling was later altered to Eberhardt.)

Frederick Eberhardt left Germany for the opportunity of a new land. He started working for the Philadelphia Baltimore Railroad.

A man of vision, he would work on the Lehigh Coal & Navigation canal where he realized the importance of the stone quarry industry.

Moving to Catasauqua, he operated the Biery Quarry, supplying stone to the historic Crane Iron Company.

Frederick also developed a primitive sulphur match he sold to farmers.

He and his sons became experts in the stone quarry business, providing material to the iron industry and the infant cement industry.

In my research, I have met a number of old-timers who recall past family members who worked for the Eberhardts and resided in company homes.

The quarry pioneer died June 24, 1893. Eberhardt Road in Whitehall Township is a vivid reminder of an early local industrial family who provided a necessary material for the growth of the area.

The family's role in township business continued with the birth of Theodore F. Eberhardt in 1900. He became the founder of Eberhardt Motors.

Born in Catasauqua, the talented young man started his automobile career at Michael's Ford garage in Northampton.

His long tenure in the infant automobile industry started when he rented a former barn in Egypt, located next to (do my readers recall?) the Farmer's Bank of Egypt.

Besides repairing the first automobiles, he sold vehicles – Star Durrant and Willys Overland – now found in museums.

Soon customers were clambering to own an automobile of their own. The old barn was too small, so Mr. Eberhardt needed to expand.

There was determination, but he required capitol. Up the hill from his garage was William Keisers garage, which sold Nash and Chevrolet models. His business was for sale.

Theodore requested a $10,000 loan from the Farmer's Bank. The year was 1924.

The loan procedure was quite different from the current process.

Bank officials knew Mr. Eberhardt and made a surprising response.

"Mr. Eberhardt," they said. "We will give you the loan but you must promise to serve on the bank's board of directors."

He agreed and served faithfully on the board for most of his life.

Initially, the garage was named Eberhardt & Groller. It later was changed to Theodore F. Eberhardt Auto Agency. The dealership not only sold automobiles, but also sold Philco radios. Most folks just didn't own radios in 1924.

The year that laid the foundation for the dealership was 1928, when the Chrysler Corporation unveiled its new automobile, Plymouth.

The new vehicle joined (remember?) the DeSoto. Soon, customers came to purchase the new Plymouth and the dealership was ready and willing to welcome eager customers.

You could return home with a new Plymouth and a Philco radio to entertain your family in the living room. The age of the automobile and the radio was upon us!

So Eberhardt's began a business that has been serving the public for 90 years.

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Next time, I'll be driving a 1928 Plymouth, come along!