BORGVIK - An idyl on Lake Vanern
The old mill in Borgvik houses the much appreciated inn today.
Because of Borgvik's strategic location on the fast flowing outlet between Lake Varmeln and Borgvik Bay on Lake Vanern, the community became an important iron and milling center as early as the 16th century. The iron industry closed down in 1924. Today, Borgvik's main industry is forest products.
The story is told that King Karl XII visited here on his way to Norway and became so enamored of Borgvik that he promised to pass through here again on his way back to Stockholm. But, unfortunately his plans never materialized as he was shot, allegedly, with a button between the shoulderblades by one of his own soldiers while in battle against a few outmanned but heroic and peace loving Norwegians.
In the beginning of the 20th century, Borgvik blossomed. Industries here at that time included a foundry, a Lancanshire forge, a rolling mill, a joinery, a woodpulp mill, an electric power station and, not least of all, farming.
Sinterstone buildings, still in use, remain as a memory of that time. Sinterstone is the slag left after iron ore is melted in a blast furnace, which can be used as a building material. Ore used at Borgvik yielded green hued sinterstone and that used in other parts of Sweden produced a blue toned stone.
The lower part of the mill, where the inn is located, was built in 1828. The upper half was rebuilt of sinterstone after a fire in 1870. The mill operated until 1953. After it was shut down, the old mill was renovated for use as a community center that housed a restaurant, theater and cinema, library and hobby room, among other things. At the turn of the century, 1,000 people lived in Borgvik. Iron from Borgvik had a worldwide reputation and was even used in the Eiffel Tower, constructed for the World's Fair in Paris in 1889.
The death of the iron industries in West Varmland eventually struck Borgvik too, and in 1924 the iron mill closed down. Billerud took over the mill in 1920, and through the years the Company has renovated the old mill and converted Brogvik to a forest industries community. Billerud has striven as far as possible to retain the old milling town character of Borgvik.
However, rationalization of the forest industries has caused continuous thinning of the population. But because of Borgvik's propitious proximity to the industries on Lake Varnen, and because of its unique character, people have become interested in living in Borgvik again. And if plans for new building here materialize, perhaps the old milling town spirit can blossom again.
Three buildings talk of the past
Three buildings in Borgvik tell of times gone by the estate, from 1690, the church, from 1718, and the mill, from the 18th century.
These buildings, together with the remains from the foundry and the iron producing era, ensure a place for Borgvik among preserved milling cultures.
The church was dedicated in 1718, and the tower added in 1741. The ceiling paintings, signed by Michael Carowsky in 1745, especially complement the beautiful interior. Carowsky, born in Danzig, lived in Gothenburg, where he also painted in the old Orgryte church. During a renovation in 1880, the paintings were painted over, but they were restored to their original beauty in 1949. The painting over the altar represents the Holy Trinity and the one on the ceiling depicts Christ on Judgement Day, enthroned on a rainbow with six apostles on either hand. The paintings on the south side represent Paradise, and Hell is painted on a part of the opposite side, in markedly dark colors, a way of painting Hell characteristic of the 18th century.
The mill, or the present Inn
The foundry ruins remain as a memory from a bygone era. The mill is from the 18th century and had housed the Inn since 1958. The lower floors are built of granite and the upper floors were rebuilt of sinterstone after a fire in 1870. Great care has been taken to furnish the mill in a style from earlier times. The present local administration, Billerud's Borgvik forest district, strives to preserve the community's cultural and historical value.
Excellent camping and swimming
Borgvik has a first class camping site in connection with the playing field and the Sparnas public swimming site on Borgvik Bay.
A beautiful site
Borgvik is located 15 kilometers from central Grums. Borgvik Bay is a part of Lake Vanern. The outlet for Lake Varmeln flows in Borgvik.
The children of AUGUST ANDERSON were born and raised in BORGVIK, SWEDEN in the
province of VARMLAND.
The home of the children of August Anderson in Borgvik, Sweden. The home was
torn down in 1932.