Skotselv

History

Skotselv as a small village has existed since the Viking Age. At that time the main river, now called Drammenselva, rose 4 to 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.

Iron Mill period

In 1649, Hassel Ironworks (Hassel jernverk) started operation as the area's first iron mill, which was run by the Hassel family . 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.

Cellulose Mill period

Established the same year as the iron mill shut down, the Skotselv Cellulose Mill (Skotselv Cellullosefabrikk) remained Skotselv's most important workplace. Several modernizations were made during the first part of the 20th century and the company was sold to Labor 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.

Skotselv Power Station

Skotselv Power Station (Skotselv Kraftverk) is a hydroelectric dam on the Bingselva. It has installed a Kaplan turbine. The power plant uses the fall in the river. It is owned and operated by Øvre Eiker Energi AS.{{cite web|url= https://www.oeenergi.no/om-oss/ovre-eiker-energi-as/

Local attractions

• Düvelgården - historic manor house associated with Hassel jernverk
• Bingenselven - local park suitable for camping and outdoor grilling

Notable people

• Timo André Bakken - cross-country skier
• Nikolai Eilertsen - bass guitarist
• Christopher Hornsrud (1859–1960)- Prime Minister of Norway from January to February 1928

Picture gallery

Image:Skotselv-misjonskirken.jpg|Skotselv Mission Church Image:Skotselv26-skole.jpg|Skotselv School Image:Skotselv-bingselva.jpg|Bingenselven File:Skotselv stasjon TRS 070429 006.jpg|Skotselv Railway Station File:Skotselv Bru.JPG|Skotselv Bridge over the Drammenselva File:We are two.JPG| We Are Two by Arek Arkadiusz Gawecki

References

References

1. [http://www.ssb.no/beftett/tab-2009-06-16-01.html Statistics Norway. Villages. Population and area, by municipality. 1. January 2009]
2. [http://www.skotselv.info/Multi%20Site%20Solution/Websites/skotselvgrendeutvalg/Home/Venstremeny/Om%20Skotselv.aspx ''Om Skotselv'' (Skotselv Grendeutvalg)] {{webarchive. link. (2012-03-09)
3. Geir Thorsnæs. "Ulleland". Store norske leksikon.
4. Pål Thonstad Sandvik [http://www.snl.no/Hassel_jernverk ''Hassel jernverk'' (Store norske leksikon)]
5. Geir Thorsnæs [http://www.snl.no/Skotselv ''Skotselv'' (Store norske leksikon)]
6. "Düvelgården". skotselvinfo.no.