Granholmen, Sandefjord
Granholmen is a 5-hectare (12-acre) island located in the Sandefjordsfjord of Sandefjord, Norway. Situated around five kilometers south of the city center, the island is housing a campground, a cafe, kiosk, pub, soccer field, along with grassland and sandy beaches. It lies along county road 303 and is connected to the mainland by a bridge. A hotel was constructed on the island in 1902 when the island was purchased by Anton Johansen. He also established a restaurant at Granholmen. Ferries such as Fjeldvik, Huvik II, Laugen, Expedit, and Varden transferred visitors to the island.[1]
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The island was home to a farm with cows until 1890, and later one of Norway’s largest wooden buildings with a restaurant and hotel. It also housed a school for Germans during World War II and was the location of the Norwegian championship in boxing in 1933 and chess in 1935. It was also previously a destination for damp ships carrying passengers.[2]
During the German occupation of World War II, Granholmen Hotel was housing NS Ungdomsfylking, the youth organization of the fascist party Nasjonal Samling. After the war, Stephan Trøber of Sarpsborg purchased the island and opened Granholmen Turisthotell. This hotel burnt down on September 4, 1950, and all ten hotel guests were brought to safety. The island was purchased by the municipality of Sandar the following year. The island was previously named Flatskjær but was given the name Granholmen in 1887 due to its many spruce trees.[3][4]
Today, the island is used for a variety of outdoor activities, including sailing, kayaking, rowing, camping, hiking, swimming, boccia, soccer, and more.[5][6][7] Granholmen is one of 124 islands within Sandefjord city limits.
A new swimming rig and ramp were installed at Granholmen Campground in 2020. Granholmen’s sandy beaches are popular for swimming and one of few beaches on the western shores of the Sandefjordsfjord.[8]
History
After its expansion in 1931, the restaurant on Granholmen was considered the largest in the Oslo Fjord. A fire on the night before September 4, 1950, destroyed all buildings, and the 8-10 guests were brought to safety. The year after, the island was purchased by the city to use for recreational purposes. Granholmen was home to a hotel, restaurant, and in 1933, the first Norwegian Championship (NM) in boxing was held on the island. The island was also home to a sandy beach and a jumping tower, where visitors came to swim, sunbathe and use their boats.[9]
Notable residents
- Henrik Dannstrøm, entrepreneur.[10]
See also
References
- Gjerseth, Simen (2016). Nye Sandefjord. Liv forlag. Page 251. ISBN 9788283301137.
- Stamper, Celina (August 30, 2021). “Det store hotellet brant ned: – Det hadde vært det flotteste hotellet i Sandefjord” (in Norwegian Bokmål). Sandefjords Blad. Retrieved on September 1, 2021, from https://www.sb.no/det-store-hotellet-brant-ned-det-hadde-vart-det-flotteste-hotellet-i-sandefjord/s/5-73-1352941
- Gjerseth, Simen (2016). Nye Sandefjord. Liv forlag. Page 251. ISBN 9788283301137.
- Davidsen, Roger (2008). Et Sted i Sandefjord. Sandar Historielag. ISBN 978-82-994567-5-3.
- Jøranlid, Marianne (1996). 40 trivelige turer i Sandefjord og omegn. Vett Viten. Page 38. ISBN 9788241202841.
- "Granholmen Camping".
- "Granholmen Camping".
- Møller, Atle (August 12, 2020). “Badeanlegget på Granholmen har vært en stor suksess” (in Norwegian). Sandefjords Blad. Retrieved on August 12, 2021, from https://www.sb.no/badeanlegget-pa-granholmen-har-vart-en-stor-suksess/s/5-73-1161918
- Olstad, Finn (1997). Sandefjords historie B.2: En vanlig småby? Sandefjord kommune. Pages 32 and 36. ISBN 8299379725.
- Henriksen, Marianne (2014). Sandefjordsfolk. Liv forlag. Page 161. ISBN 9788293184980.