Østre Toten

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Østre Toten kommune
Locator map showing Østre Toten within Oppland
County Oppland
District Toten
Municipality NO-0528
Administrative centre Lena
Mayor (2003) Hans Seierstad (Sp)
Official language form Bokmål
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Percentage
Ranked 189
562 km²
486 km²
0.17 %
Population
 - Total (2004)
 - Percentage
 - Change (10 years)
 - Density
Ranked 64
14,657
0.32 %
3.3 %
30/km²
Coordinates 60°36′N, 10°54′E
www.ostre-toten.kommune.no

Data from Statistics Norway

Coordinates: 60°36′N, 10°54′E

Østre Toten is a municipality in the county of Oppland, Norway.

Contents

[edit] The name

The Norse form of the name was Þótn. The meaning is unknown (maybe 'the pleasant district').

The meaning of the name Østre Toten is '(the) eastern (part of) Toten'. (The parish Toten was divided in 1825.)

See also > Vestre Toten

[edit] Coat-of-arms

The coat-of-arms is from modern times (1987). It shows a potato plant.

[edit] Geography

Østre Toten is bordered to the west by Vestre Toten, to the north by Gjøvik in Oppland county, as well as by Hurdal and Eidsvoll in neighboring Akershus county.

The highest peak is Torseterkampen with a height of 841 meters.

Although some residences are widely spread, most people live in the areas of Skreia, Kapp, Kolbu og Lena (the administrative center).

[edit] Economy

Østre Toten is one of the Opplands most productive farming municipalities. Østre Toten is Norway's largest producers of potatoes and onions. This is reflected in the municipality's coat of arms, which displays a potato plant.

The Kims factory (which produces potato chips) is located at Skreia.

[edit] History

Histories of Østre Toten & Vestre Toten are combined here.

According to saga, Harald Hvitbein (Whiteleg) was the first Yngling in Norway. He conquered Romerike, part of Hedmark, part of Vestfold and Toten. He was killed in Toten in ~740.

In 1021, according to saga, King Olaf's (A.D. 1015-1021) converted Toten to christianity.

Also according to saga, Håkon IV (1204–1263) came to Toten in ~1226 to settle local unrest.

Christian II (14811559) was a Danish monarch and King of Denmark, Norway (15131523) and Sweden (15201521), under the Kalmar Union. Prior to becoming king, Duke Christian was sent to Norway in 1506 by John II (or Hans), King of Norway (1483 – 1513) to take charge of the kingdom. In 1507 he became aware of a revolt in Hedmark. In early 1508 he took a force there, routing the rebellion. He then rowed across lake Mjøsa to Toten, capturing residents, imprisoning them in the vaulted cellar of the rectory in Østre Toten and torturing them there. As a result, he determined that Bishop Karl of Hamar had been behind the rebellion. With Bishop Karl as his captive, he was able to suppress the unrest.

Toten was a part of Akershus county until 1756, when it was reassigned to Oppland county.

Lauritz Weideman, Corporal Peder Balke and Nels Dyhren from Toten attended the 1814 constitutional convention at Eidsvold.

[edit] What to see

Hoff stone church
Hoff stone church

Among the town's most notable landmarks are the Hoff Stone Church and the rock carvings at Glemmestad, Kapp, now displayed in Toten Museum.

[edit] Famous residents

[edit] References

East Norway and its Frontier by Frank Noel Stagg, George Allen & Unwin, Ltd. 1956


Municipalities of Oppland Oppland coat of arms

Dovre | Etnedal | Gausdal | Gjøvik | Gran | Jevnaker | Lesja | Lillehammer | Lom | Lunner | Nord-Aurdal | Nord-Fron | Nordre Land | Ringebu | Sel | Skjåk | Søndre Land | Sør-Aurdal | Sør-Fron | Vang | Vestre Slidre | Vestre Toten | Vågå | Østre Toten | Øyer | Øystre Slidre