"Jake" Gaudaur 1858-1937
One of the world's greatest oarsmen, Jacob Gill Gaudaur grew up just east of here Atherley Narrows at a time when rowing was one of the most popular sports in North America. In 1892, a crowd of 10,000 watched Gaudaur and George Hosmer of the United States win the world double sculls championship here on Lake Couchiching. Gaudaur established a world record in the single sculls "Three Miles with a Turn" in Texas in 1893. He then broke his own record in the same race the following year. Gaudaur won the world single sculls championship on the Thames in London, England in 1896 and held it until 1901. Gaudaur's remarkable string of victories thrilled sports fans around the world and enshrined him as one of Canada's legendary sports heroes.
Plaque via Alan L. Brown's site Ontario Plaques. Full page here.