The Icelandic Canadian - 01.09.2008, Page 18

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THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Vol. 61 #4
into the NIHM computer. The pictures
were stored on the computer, also.
Many interesting stories were collect-
ed. Wally noticed that there were cottage
communities of summer residents who
kept their summer homes for generations,
and became close friends. One of these is in
Loni Beach; another in the area around
Gimli Park.
We have selected a small number of
buildings to highlight. Here they are:
THORSON HOME
Built in 1913/14 by Stefan Thorson,
who was the mayor of Gimli in 1914, this is
a two-story home with a gable-ended roof.
The home still has the original fence, win-
dows (except for the addition), woodwork
and some original fixtures. Charlie
Thorson, the artist and animator, once
lived here. Cartoon Charlie worked for
Walt Disney Studios and is said to have
fashioned Snow White in the image of an
Icelandic girl he met in Winnipeg. This is
the present residence of Jean Kristjanson.
CHISWELL HOUSE
R.W.J. Chiswell built this one-and-one
half story house in 1914, a date etched in
the sidewalk. The original part of the house
still has the old woodwork, plaster walls,
doors, fir molding around windows, and
bathtub. During one of the renovations, a
1911 coin and a WWI valentine were found
in the walls. This was the house of the prin-
cipals of Gimli Public School. It was later
called Solmundson House after Franz
Solmundson who was one of the principals.
The house is now owned by Frank Pezzola
and is used as a summer cottage.
CAMP MORTON
Now owned by the Parks Branch of
the Province of Manitoba, the driving force
27 - 1st Ave., in Gimli was used as the home for school principals