Fred Tommila
Fred Tommila was a local photographer who took many photographs of the Elma area during the 1920's and beyond. His photos are possibly some of the only pictures available to us showing Elma as it was from near its beginnings. All pictures, except where noted, were donated by Dorothy Altstadt, Freds daughter. Thankyou Dorothy.
Elma Hotel around 1930
Fred at Four Years of age.
The pictures, courtesy of Dorothy Altstadt. (Photos taken by her father, Fred Tommila.) Thankyou so much for these pictures giving us a glimpse into the past .
Left to right: Bill Chanway, Paul Mahara, Mike Korolevick, Tony Boretski, Gordon McKinnon, Tony Lovicki, Steve Korolevick, Philip Barski, Pete Stostook, Fred Proceviat, -Unknown---- . Circa 1930.
The Tommila Family
Eric Tommila came from Finland. He married Helena in 1904 in Brandon Manitoba. They moved to Elma in 1916 with their 4 sons. Henry born in 1905, Bill born in 1907. Fred born in 1911 and Harold born in 1915. Henry moved to Kirkland Lake Ontario, Bill to Vancouver BC, Harold drowned in Brereton Lake in 1935, and Fred remained on the family farm. Fred married Thorey Jonasson from Arnes Manitoba in 1937 and they raised their 4 children - Grace, Willard, Dorothy and Gloria in Elma. Fred attended Elma School, enjoyed taking pictures, was active in community events, was a school trustee and a 4-H leader. He died in Whitemouth in 1993.
Picture: Courtesy Richard McCaulder
Elma Hockey Rink off Main Street around 1930. Buildings top centre. Roadmasters house on the Southwest corner of Highway 11 and Highway 15. Remembering Hwys 11 and 15 didn't exist then. Top to the right the Prosvita Hall.
Fred and Thorey
Boys in Brandon
Eric Tommila
Can anyone identify the picture of the Elma ladies? Picture was probably taken in the 1930's.
The old Elma School taken in the 1920's.
Log house built by Eric Tommila circa 1918.
These buildings were built after the great fire of 1922 that destroyed almost every building to the west of todays Highway 11.
J. Wachma Store around 1930
Main Street in Elma. Around 1930
These three buildings still standing.
Elma School 1951 Grade 1 to grade 8
This is Fred Tommila taking his daughter Dorothy to school in 1951. The car was pretty old at that time.
Can anyone identify this car?
1931. Dave Lehto, Lily Neva, Fred Tommilla, Henry Tommilla.
This picture was taken on a bridge in/near Elma. Dorothy thinks where the Silver Bridge is now. She has several pictures of Fred and his friends on that bridge. It was 1/2 mile east of the Tommila farm and must have been a favorite gathering spot.
Dorothy advised, the young lady Thorey Jonasson, ended up being her mother.
The Riento Hall was built circa 1930 by the Finn population as a place for their gatherings, dances, picnics, etc. Riento in Finn means gathering. A travelling minister, Mr. Kaski, from Saskatchewan would travel out to communities in eastern Manitoba and minister to the Finn people. He may be in the picture. Mr. Paul Leeyus acted as minister at other times often performing burial services. The hall was used until about 1955 and was later dismantled and the lumber used for a house. The Riento Hall was located on the current Silver Bridge Road one mile east of Highway 11.
Dorothy
Train stopped near Elma. 1930
The first Elma Bridge under construction in 1950
An ice jam in spring 1960 caused considerable damage to the bridge on Silver Bridge road. These pictures were taken in May 1960. Fred Tommila is surveying the damage (standing). It is unknown who is on the tractor but he came from the east side of the river. This damage was likely repaired as the present day bridge was not placed until 1969.
Above: Bridge in the 1930's and below the Steel Truss bridge we know as Silver Bridge. It was moved from the old Highway 1 (Hwy44) to Elma in 1969. Apparently there were problems encountered during its move and near Juno Road it sank into a marsh. It took a week to extricate it before finally being set up on its site today.
Above picture: George Harris Fonds.
