Melhus

Melhus is a municipality in Trøndelag county, Norway. It is part of the Gauldalen region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Melhus. Other villages include Gåsbakken, Hovin, Korsvegen, Kvål, Ler, Lundamo, Storsand, and Øysand.

This article is about the municipality in Trøndelag, Norway. For other uses, see Melhus (disambiguation).
Melhus kommune
Municipality
View of Melhus sentrum
View of Melhus sentrum
Flag of Melhus kommune
Flag
Coat of arms of Melhus kommune
Coat of arms
Official logo of Melhus kommune
Trøndelag within
Norway
Melhus within Trøndelag
Melhus within Trøndelag
Coordinates: 63°10′35″N 10°18′13″E
CountryNorway
CountyTrøndelag
DistrictGauldalen
Established1 Jan 1838
 • Created asFormannskapsdistrikt
Administrative centreMelhus
Government
 • Mayor (2019)Jorid Jagtøyen (Sp)
Area
 • Total694.41 km2 (268.11 sq mi)
 • Land653.31 km2 (252.24 sq mi)
 • Water41.10 km2 (15.87 sq mi)  5.9%
 • Rank#166 in Norway
Population
 (2022)
 • Total16,123
 • Rank#75 in Norway
 • Density26.2/km2 (68/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Increase +11.2%
DemonymMelhusbygg[1]
Official language
[2]
 • Norwegian formNeutral
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-5028
WebsiteOfficial website
Data from Statistics Norway

Agriculture is important in Melhus, and the extensive lowland areas in the almost flat valley surrounding the Gaula River are dominated by grain fields. Many inhabitants work in the city of Trondheim, a 20-minute drive north from Melhus.

The 694-square-kilometre (268 sq mi) municipality is the 166th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Melhus is the 75th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 16,123. The municipality's population density is 26.2 inhabitants per square kilometre (68/sq mi) and its population has increased by 11.2% over the previous 10-year period.[3][4]

General information

Melhus was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). In 1865, the western district of Høilandet (population: 1,818) was separated from Melhus to form a separate municipality. Then on 1880, the eastern district of Flaa (population: 614) was separated to form its own municipality. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, Melhus (population: 3,978) was merged with the neighboring municipalities of Hølonda (population: 1,428), Flå (population: 843), Horg (population: 2,560), and the small Langørgen farm area in the neighboring municipality of Buvik (population: 11) to form a new, larger municipality of Melhus.[5] On 1 January 2018, the municipality switched from the old Sør-Trøndelag county to the new Trøndelag county.

Name

The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Melhus farm (Old Norse: Meðalhúsar) since the first Melhus Church was built there. The first element is meðal which means "middle". The last element is the plural form of hús which means "house". The farm is one part of a greater and older farm, which had the name Óðinssalr which means "the salr (mead hall) of Odin".[6]

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 8 November 1979. The official blazon is "Gules, a bowman genuant Or" (Norwegian: På rød bunn en gull knestående bueskytter). This means the arms have a red field (background) and the charge is a kneeling archer. The archer has a tincture of Or which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used. The arms were chosen to symbolize a local hero, Einar Tambarskjelve, who was a famous chief and archer from Melhus in the 11th century. He is mentioned as an archer for King Olav Tryggvason in the Battle of Svolder. The arms were designed by Hallvard Trætteberg. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.[7][8]

Churches

The Church of Norway has four parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Melhus. It is part of the Gauldal prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nidaros.

Churches in Melhus
Parish (sokn)Church nameLocation of the churchYear built
FlåFlå ChurchLer1794
HorgHorg ChurchLundamo1892
HølondaHølonda ChurchGåsbakken1848
MelhusMelhus ChurchStorsand1892

History

Melhus was the site of many important events during the Viking Era. It was the site of the farm Rimul in Melhus at which Jarl Haakon was killed by his slave, Tormod Kark. Jarlshola is the location in Melhus thought to have been the hiding place of Jarl Haakon and Tormod Kark on their last night before the infamous murder at Rimul.

Geography
View of the Gaulosen fjord

The 695-square-kilometre (268 sq mi) municipality of Melhus includes the valley of the river Gaula as it flows northwards towards its mouth at the Gaulosen, an arm of the Trondheimsfjord. The lake Svorksjøen lies on the western border with Orkdal and Meldal. The lakes Benna and Ånøya lie in the central part of the municipality, and the lake Samsjøen lies on the southeastern border with Midtre Gauldal municipality. The mountains of Rensfjellet and Vassfjellet lie on the eastern border with Selbu and Klæbu municipalities, respectively.

Government

All municipalities in Norway, including Melhus, are responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, unemployment and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads. The municipality is governed by a municipal council of elected representatives, which in turn elect a mayor.[9] The municipality falls under the Trøndelag District Court and the Frostating Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Melhus is made up of 37 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The party breakdown of the council is as follows:

Melhus kommunestyre 2020–2023 [10]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Pensioners' Party (Pensjonistpartiet) 1
  Red Party (Rødt) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 11
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
 Melhus List (Melhuslista)4
Total number of members:37
Melhus kommunestyre 2016–2019 [11]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 14
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
 Melhus List (Melhuslista)4
Total number of members:37
Melhus kommunestyre 2012–2015 [12]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 14
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 9
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:37
Melhus kommunestyre 2008–2011 [11]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 6
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:37
Melhus kommunestyre 2004–2007 [11]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 7
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 9
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:45
Melhus kommunestyre 2000–2003 [11]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 17
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 7
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 9
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:45
Melhus kommunestyre 1996–1999 [13]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 16
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 6
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 11
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:45
Melhus kommunestyre 1992–1995 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 16
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 6
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 11
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:45
Melhus kommunestyre 1988–1991 [15]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 20
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 7
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:45
Melhus kommunestyre 1984–1987 [16]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 19
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 8
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 9
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:45
Melhus kommunestyre 1980–1983 [17]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 19
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 8
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 10
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:45
Melhus kommunestyre 1976–1979 [18]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 19
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  New People's Party (Nye Folkepartiet) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 13
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:45
Melhus kommunestyre 1972–1975 [19]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 21
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 12
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
 Socialist common list (Venstresosialistiske felleslister)1
Total number of members:45
Melhus kommunestyre 1968–1971 [20]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 21
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 11
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:45
Melhus kommunestyre 1964–1967 [21]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 22
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 5
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 11
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:45
Melhus herredsstyre 1960–1963 [22]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:21
Melhus herredsstyre 1956–1959 [23]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 6
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:21
Melhus herredsstyre 1952–1955 [24]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 2
Total number of members:20
Melhus herredsstyre 1948–1951 [25]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 6
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:20
Melhus herredsstyre 1945–1947 [26]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 6
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:20
Melhus herredsstyre 1938–1941* [27]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 7
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:20
Note: Due to the German occupation of Norway during World War II, no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945.

Mayors

The mayors of Melhus:[28]

  • 1838–1839: John Jensen Gravråk
  • 1840–1847: Nils Nilssøn Dahl
  • 1848–1851: Israel Melhus
  • 1852–1856: Rasmus Jagtøien
  • 1856–1859: Israel Melhus
  • 1860–1865: Lars Qvam
  • 1866–1871: Hans Jensen Blom
  • 1872–1875: John Skjerdingstad
  • 1876–1881: Anders P. Skjerdingstad (H)
  • 1882–1891: Nils Jensen Melhus (V/MV)
  • 1892–1904: Klaus J. Søberg (V)
  • 1905–1907: Nils Jensen Melhus (V)
  • 1908–1913: Eystein Kvam (V)
  • 1914–1919: Elias Gafseth (V)
  • 1920–1922: Ole T. Hollum (H)
  • 1923–1925: Ole T. Øyaas (V)
  • 1926–1937: Even P. Borten (Bp)
  • 1938–1940: Nicolay J. Eggen (Ap)
  • 1941–1945: Hans Bollingmo (NS)
  • 1946–1947: Anders Eggen (Bp)
  • 1948–1955: Martin Borten (Bp)
  • 1956–1971: Gustav Berg (Sp)
  • 1972–1973: Johan Hogstad (Sp)
  • 1974–1975: Bjørn Havdal (Ap)
  • 1975–1987: Johan Hogstad (Sp)
  • 1988–1989: Per O. Rimolsrønning (H)
  • 1989–1995: Sigurd Busklein (Sp)
  • 1995-2001: Anders Estenstad (Ap)
  • 2001-2003: Solfrid Løvseth (Ap)
  • 2003-2011: Erling Bøhle (Ap)
  • 2011-2015: Jorid Jagtøyen (Sp)
  • 2015-2019: Gunnar Krogstad (Ap)
  • 2019–present: Jorid Jagtøyen (Sp)

Transportation

European route E6 runs north and south through the municipality, following the Gaula River. There is also a 3-kilometre (1.9 mi) long stretch of European route E39 passes east and west in the northern part of Melhus between Buvika and Leinstrand.

The Dovre Line also follows the river through Melhus. The following stations are located along the railway line in Melhus: Melhus Station, Kvål Station, Ler Station, Lundamo Station, and Hovin Station. The railroad goes through the Gulfoss Tunnel at Hovin.

  • Bridge crossing Gaula River
    Bridge crossing Gaula River
  • Gimse in Melhus
    Gimse in Melhus
  • Gaustad Lake
    Gaustad Lake
  • Chapel at Vassfjellet on the border with Klæbu
    Chapel at Vassfjellet on the border with Klæbu
  • View of Øysand in northern Melhus
    View of Øysand in northern Melhus

Newspapers

Notable people
Per Borten, 1964
Magnar Estenstad, 1949

Sport

References
  1. "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
  2. "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  3. Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  4. Statistisk sentralbyrå. "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian).
  5. Jukvam, Dag (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå.
  6. Rygh, Oluf (1901). Norske gaardnavne: Søndre Trondhjems amt (in Norwegian) (14 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 286.
  7. "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  8. "Melhus, South Trøndelag (Norway)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  9. Hansen, Tore, ed. (12 May 2016). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  10. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Trøndelag". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  11. "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  12. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Sør-Trøndelag". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  13. "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  14. "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  15. "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  16. "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  17. "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  18. "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  19. "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  20. "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  21. "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  22. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  23. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  24. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  25. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  26. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  27. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  28. Bollingmo, Hans, ed. (1937). Melhus. Jubileumsskrift ved kommunejubileet 1837–1937 (in Norwegian). Melhus kommune. p. 38.
  29. IMDb Database retrieved 07 November 2020
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