Skotselv

Map of Skotselv and the surrounding area.

Skotselv is a village in the municipality of Øvre Eiker, Norway. Its population (2005) is 684, of which 8 people live within the border of the neighbouring municipality of Modum. It has a railway station on the Randsfjordbane.

History

Skotselv as a small village has existed since the time of the Vikings. By that time the main river (now called "Drammenselven") rose 4-5 meters higher than today’s level making transport and trade by ship highly accessible. The village first started to grow significantly during the first half of the 16th century when the powerful Ulleland family established several sawmills along the river, using the river as a mean of transporting the goods to the region's capital Drammen.

The period of the Iron Mill

In 1649 Skotselv got the area's first Iron Mill, run by the family Hassel. They mainly produced ovens, but expanded into general ironware factory later on. It continued to be the biggest influence on the community until it was finally closed down in 1888.

The period of the Cellulose Mill

Established the same year as the iron mill shut down, the cellulose mill remained Skotselvs most important workplace. Several modernizations were made during the first part of the 20th century and the company was sold to Union in 1913. The new ownership managed to turn the tide and the growth lasted all the time to 1978 when it was closed for good.

• An early iron mill
  An early iron mill
• 
  "Hassel jernverk" painted in 1854 by Thomas Fearnley.
• 
  Overview picture taken in 1970. The lumber freight on the river was still very active. The cellulose mill is located to the left.

Modern life in Skotselv

Skotselv is today one of the few places in Øvre Eiker where the population is decreasing. This despite strong efforts to create a modern and attractive village for families. This has resulted in a heavy establishment of different religions, the largest groups being:

1. Members of the state church
2. Adventists
3. Misjonskirken
4. Smitts Venner
5. Jehovas Witnesses

There are also a small community of Islam present, although not very organized.

Attractions

The main attraction in skotselv is unarguable the "Dyvelgården", an old mansion representing the celluloid area of the village.

Another important place to the village is the public school. With a history of over 250 years of practice it is one of the municipality's oldest schools. This illustrates the important role the village had with its Iron Mill.

A popular walking area is along "Bingenselven" with its beautiful park suitable for camping and outdoor grilling.

• 
  A church
• 
  The Dyvelgården
• 
  The school
• 
  Bingenselven