Have known Eldon George for over 50 years. A true gentleman and great citizen of Parrsboro and Nova Scotia. Eldon has done so much for the geological history of the area. He started it all in his youth. I was so glad when he became a member of the Order of Nova Scotia. His collection and donation to the Fundy Geological Museum is immeasurable.
Thank you Eldon George.
— Mac Bennett, Lwr. Sackville and Fraserville
While I have never spoken to Eldon George, his Rock and Mineral Shop are a highlight of my memories of Parrsboro. I have visited the shop a few times when I completing my BSc in Earth Science. I am now working towards my PhD in Earth Science. I would definitely say that the rock and mineral shop, along with the amazing local geology of the Bay of Fundy, were inspirations for me to pursue Earth Science.
Thank you Eldon, I am sure you have inspired many students just like myself to show an interest and passion for nature.
— Nicole Marshall
I went to Parrsboro when I was ten (I am the one in the dinosaur t-shirt). I always had a love for fossils. I was really looking forward to going to the Fundy Geological Museum but it was closed due to renovations. The people in the gift shop told me to go to Eldon’s store. When I got there I was amazed by the huge collection of stuff and his accomplishments. I started talking to him and shared my interests in rocks and fossils. He then started to give my some agates and amethyst to take home for free. Eldon was a huge inspiration to me, he told me to collect rocks and fossils because you enjoy it, not because it’s your job, or you feel like you have to.
A few years later a did a science fair project on fossils that won a gold medal at the Canada Wide Science Fair. Part of my inspiration to do that project on fossils was because of what Eldon had said when I met him. To this day it remains my favourite rock shop, and I have visited ones across the country. Thank you Eldon!
— Emily Cross
We continue to gather your memories and stories related to the Parrsboro Rock and Mineral Shop and Eldon George.
- Did he inspire you when you were young?
- Did he share any fossil secrets with you?
- What did the Parrsboro Rock and Mineral Shop mean to you and your family?
Share you comments and images below.
Mr. George has been a friend of my maternal grandmother (Pearl Newcombe McCabe) and her late brother Alden Newcombe and spent time with them at their family cottage in Parrsboro. Fast forward to the 1980s and 1990s when my own family had a cottage in Parrsboro. My brother and I spent many days in the summer at Mr. George’s shop. The moment our mother walked in with us the first time he exclaimed she must be a “Newcombe girl”. He taught us so many things about rocks and fossils. He would give us free rocks and I always loved the grab bags. His wife was a sweetheart too. They inspired me to get a rock tumbler and polish stones and my lifelong love of amethyst. I found some neat plant fossils that Mr. George looked at quite earnestly. He had always wanted to take us out fossil hunting and I regret that we never got to do that. He’s an extraordinary man. Lots of great memories.
Long before becoming local residents, visiting Parrsboro and Eldon was a regular outing for our family. Eldon was always extremely interested in, and helpful with, Patti’s growing interest in Geology and the children would always gravitate to the dinosaur. Shown here are Chris and Jen and the dinosaur in the fall of 1988.
I am always grateful to Eldon George for opening up his rock shop in February to accommodate a guest I had from England. He saw us outside, window peeking, and came out, chatted and was a great ambassador for our area.
I am one of the late-comers who missed out on meeting George and seeing his museum. My husband and I visited Parrsboro and area in early May 2016 (yes, just a couple weeks back) and his museum was on my “Must See” list. Sadly, it was closed each time we drove past. However, I didn’t realize it was permanently closed.
I was so much looking forward to looking at his treasures and had hoped to purchase some to bring home to join my little collection and even more, had hoped for a chance to chat with someone with knowledge of the area.
Now back home in British Columbia, I’ve learned that he retired only a few months back. So, congratulations to George on his many years of a life well spent. I wish I had met you. All the best to you in the future; now the store won’t take up any of your time for fossil hunting.
Eldon George is my uncle on my mother’s side. Her name was Margret Jean George and her other two sisters were Mary and Einner. Their brothers names were Bobby, Willie, Dook and Ounnie. Their mother’s name was Gurtrude and father’s name was Pupa.
Thank you for your comment Danny. There is a photograph of your mother sitting with Eldon on the website. See Photo of Eldon and Sisters (Click).
Dear Eldon and friends,
My wife and I first came to the Parrsboro Rock Shop in 2006 – – we were on our honeymoon and we spent hours with Eldon on a rainy, drizzly day. (This is a 2nd marriage for each of us – – we are now both in our 60’s – – not some young couple in 2006).
We were from Pennsylvania at that time. Eldon even offered us a box of small fossils as a “wedding present”. We loved his enthusiasm and his generous guidance on what to look for while walking the shoreline.
We returned to N.S. in July of 2013. We made it a point to stop in at the Rock Shop and visit Eldon. He seemed to remember us – – we will NEVER forget him. Please let him know that. We learned so much from him and we are forever in his debt for sharing his knowledge.
We now live in Colorado and have no idea when/if we will ever get back to N.S.
Please give warm regards to Eldon and the whole staff there. You guys are unforgettable. With loving appreciation, Tim & Rebecca Burt
Sorry to hear of Eldon’s passing. We met him a few years ago when he was still working in the Rock Store. We got to know him and stopped to see him whenever we came east, about every 2 years. We enjoyed his paintings and went to his show at the museum. He was always so interesting to talk with and readily shared his love of rocks and fossils. We will miss him. Our thoughts are with the family. Godspeed Eldon, from Pete and Pam from Ontario
I with my late husband,,, were at the rock shop… ,many many years ago… Eldon,, took me to the edge of water,, near his shop;; we collected some different ‘stones’…or different pieces of what I thought , just glass.. then we, went to his shop.. and he put these ‘treasures’ into a machine that spins the glass clean and dry… then we took the or,, I picked out what ones I liked.. the green (tourmaline), I called then as my twin and I were born in August… then to top it off,,, as the saying goes… made 2 bracelets… one ,, for me has all green stones… and the other for my twin,, we added,, small purple stones.. there fore,, my twin and I WOULD have the same on a gold chain… and we wear them to this day… I always,, believed or ,, I told Eldon… since. you showed how to glue each stone .. etc.. I will always KEEP and WEAR… I still believe, it is a special ‘gift’ from Eldon… some people may think , I’m nuts.. I don’t care.. it is one piece of jewelry , I wear daily… EXCEPT,, when at work as a critical care nurse… wow.. I THINK… it must have been in the late fifties… how is that for a story… LOL… I have worked all over this side of the ocean,, different parts of Canada and USA…. time flies.. and I never got back to chat with Eldon.. God Bless his soul and family… Marilyn … or Twin..