The long-awaited recognition for the Sloan family, specifically Archie Sloan, may be getting closer to reality.
Gravenhurst Municipal Heritage Committee discussed the possibility of placing a plaque on the side of the Gravenhurst Fire Department’s station at 190 Harvie St.
When speaking to council last month, Rusty Draper explained the fire hall is on the same property as the town’s old police station.
He explained that in the early 1900s, Sloan served as the town’s police chief. Draper added Sloan also served as a volunteer firefighter, two-term mayor, and opened the “internationally famous” Sloan’s Restaurant and Tavern.
Carole Anne Simpson, one of the committee members, says she has spoken to Fire Chief Jared Cayley about the idea. She said he was supportive of the initiative.
Coun. Randy Jorgensen, who sits on the committee as a council representative, pointed out before the idea goes to council, committee has a few more tasks, notably getting “content” for the plaque.
“You don’t want just text, you probably want some images,” he added.
Judy Humphries, who oversees the Gravenhurst archives and is part of the committee, said they have plenty of pictures and documents detailing Archie’s life.
“We even have the documents that originally appointed him to be the fire chief,” she said.
Jorgensson said it may take a couple more months before everything is in place.
“Council is well aware of the issue and what was suggested,” he said, referencing Draper’s presentation.
