Sør-Fron

Sør-Fron is a municipality in Innlandet county, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Gudbrandsdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Hundorp. Other villages in the municipality include Gålå, Harpefoss, and Lia.

Sør-Fron kommune
Søndre Fron herred (historic)
Municipality
View of the municipal building in Hundorp
View of the municipal building in Hundorp
Flag of Sør-Fron kommune
Flag
Coat of arms of Sør-Fron kommune
Coat of arms
Official logo of Sør-Fron kommune
Innlandet within
Norway
Sør-Fron within Innlandet
Sør-Fron within Innlandet
Coordinates: 61°34′8″N 9°55′24″E
CountryNorway
CountyInnlandet
DistrictGudbrandsdal
Established1 Jan 1851
 • Preceded byFron Municipality
Disestablished1 Jan 1966
 • Succeeded byFron Municipality
Re-established1 Jan 1977
 • Preceded byFron Municipality
Administrative centreHundorp
Government
 • Mayor (2011)Ole Tvete Muriteigen (Sp)
Area
 • Total742.21 km2 (286.57 sq mi)
 • Land711.55 km2 (274.73 sq mi)
 • Water30.66 km2 (11.84 sq mi)  4.1%
 • Rank#153 in Norway
Population
 (2022)
 • Total3,064
 • Rank#224 in Norway
 • Density4.3/km2 (11/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Decrease −4.5%
DemonymFrøning[1]
Official language
[2]
 • Norwegian formNeutral
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-3438
WebsiteOfficial website
Data from Statistics Norway

The 742-square-kilometre (286 sq mi) municipality is the 153rd largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Sør-Fron is the 224th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 3,064. The municipality's population density is 4.3 inhabitants per square kilometre (11/sq mi) and its population has decreased by 4.5% over the previous 10-year period.[3][4]

General information
Panoramic view over Sør-Fron from Skutelen
Smiubelgen in Rondane National Park

The prestegjeld of Fron was established as a civil municipality on 1 January 1838 when the new formannskapsdistrikt law went into effect. On 1 January 1851, the municipality was divided in two. The northwest portion became Nord-Fron Municipality (population: 4,685) and the southeast portion became Sør-Fron Municipality (population: 3,421). On 27 July 1956, a small area of Sør-Fron municipality (population: 7) was transferred to the neighboring municipality of Vestre Gausdal.[5]

During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1966, the municipalities of Nord-Fron (population: 5,758) and Sør-Fron (population: 3,648) were merged to form a new Fron Municipality (with similar borders to the old Fron municipality that existed from 1838-1851 minus the Sjoa area had switched from Nord-Fron to Sel).[5]

This merger was not well-liked among the residents of the new municipality. On 1 January 1977, the merger was reversed and Nord-Fron (population: 6,131) and Sør-Fron (population: 3,509) were recreated using their old borders from 1965.[5]

Name

The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Fron farm (Old Norse: Frón) since the first Fron Church was built there. The first element is sør which means "southern". The last element is uncertain, but it may come from the word frón which means "earth" or "land". Thus the name of the municipality is "(the) southern (part of) Fron" (since the parish of Fron was divided in 1851 into a "north" and a "south" part). Historically, it was called Søndre Fron, using another word which also means "south".[6]

See also: Nord-Fron § Name

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 4 March 1988. The official blazon is "Vert, a club argent in bend" (Norwegian: På grøn grunn ei skråstilt sølv klubbe). This means the arms have a green field (background) and the charge is a club. The club has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. The club is reminiscent of the club that Kolbein Sterke used in the year 1021 when King Olav Haraldsson met the people of Fron and Dale-Gudbrand at Hundorp. This meeting is recorded in a book by Snorre Sturlusson. "Look, our god is coming with a lot of light," said King Olav. Dale-Gudbrand and the farmers looked at the sun that was just rising. Kolbein then took the club and smashed to pieces the statue of the god Thor standing at Hundorp. After this, the people of the area were Christians, according to Snorre. The arms were designed by Amund Rudi. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.[7][8][9][10]

Churches

The Church of Norway has one parish (sokn) within the municipality of Sør-Fron. It is part of the Sør-Gudbrandsdal prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Hamar.

Churches in Sør-Fron
Parish (sokn)Church nameLocation of the churchYear built
Sør-FrønSør-Fron ChurchHundorp1792
Espedalen ChapelEspedalen1974

Government

All municipalities in Norway are responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, welfare and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads and utilities. The municipality is governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor is indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council.[11] The municipality falls under the Vestre Innlandet District Court and the Eidsivating Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Sør-Fron is made up of 19 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The party breakdown of the council is as follows:

Sør-Fron kommunestyre 2020–2023 [12]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 10
 Sør-Fron Local List (Sør-Fron Bygdaliste)2
Total number of members:19
Sør-Fron kommunestyre 2016–2019 [13][14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 8
 Sør-Fron Local List (Sør-Fron Bygdeliste)2
Total number of members:19
Sør-Fron kommunestyre 2012–2015 [15]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
 Sør-Fron Local List (Sør-Fron Bygdeliste)4
Total number of members:19
Sør-Fron kommunestyre 2008–2011 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
Total number of members:19
Sør-Fron kommunestyre 2004–2007 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
Total number of members:19
Sør-Fron kommunestyre 2000–2003 [14][16]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
 Sør-Fron Local List (Sør-Fron Bygdeliste)1
Total number of members:19
Sør-Fron kommunestyre 1996–1999 [17]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
 Local list for Sør-Fron (Bygdalista i Sør-Fron)1
Total number of members:19
Sør-Fron kommunestyre 1992–1995 [18]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
 Local list for Sør-Fron (Bygdalista i Sør-Fron)2
Total number of members:19
Sør-Fron kommunestyre 1988–1991 [19]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
 Local list for Sør-Fron (Bygdalista i Sør-Fron)3
Total number of members:19
Sør-Fron kommunestyre 1984–1987 [20]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
Total number of members:19
Sør-Fron kommunestyre 1980–1983 [21]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
Total number of members:19
Sør-Fron kommunestyre 1964–1965 [22]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
Total number of members:17
Note: On 1 January 1966, Nord-Fron and Sør-Fron were merged into Fron Municipality. This merger only lasted until 1 January 1977 when the merger was reversed.
Sør-Fron herredsstyre 1960–1963 [23]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
Total number of members:17
Sør-Fron herredsstyre 1956–1959 [24]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:17
Sør-Fron herredsstyre 1952–1955 [25]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:16
Sør-Fron herredsstyre 1948–1951 [26]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 4
  Joint list of the Liberal Party (Venstre) and the Radical People's Party (Radikale Folkepartiet) 1
Total number of members:16
Sør-Fron herredsstyre 1945–1947 [27]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 3
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 3
Total number of members:16
Sør-Fron herredsstyre 1938–1940* [28]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 5
Total number of members:16
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 Sør-Fron (incomplete list):

  • 1914-1919: Ivar Fosse
  • 1920-1922: O. Kjorstad[29]
  • 1923-1925: Anton Ringdal[30]
  • 1926-1928: Olaf Listad (Bp)[31]
  • 1929-1941: Egil Hernæs (Ap)
  • 1942-1945: Aksel Bjerke (Ap)
  • 1945-1961: Egil Hernæs (NS)
  • 1962-1963: Asbjørn Fevolden (Ap)
  • 1964-1965: Iver Malerbakken (Ap)
  • (1966-1977: part of Fron Municipality)
  • 1977-1982: Jon Tofte (Ap)
  • 1983-1991: Arne Hernæs (Ap)
  • 1992-1997: Torstein Rudihagen (Ap)
  • 1997-1999: Willy Heimstad (Ap)
  • 1999-2011: Aksel Eng (Ap)
  • 2011-2011: Laila Nyhus Toppen (Ap)
  • 2011–present: Ole Tvete Muriteigen (Sp)

Geography
Number of minorities (1st and 2nd generation) in Sør-Fron by country of origin in 2017[32]
AncestryNumber
 Lithuania85
 Poland37
 Bosnia-Herzegovina32
 Denmark18
 Netherlands16

Sør-Fron municipality is bordered to the west by Nord-Fron municipality, to the southwest by Øystre Slidre municipality, to the south by Gausdal municipality, to the east by Ringebu and Stor-Elvdal municipalities, and to the north by Folldal municipality. The river Gudbrandsdalslågen runs through the central part of the municipality.

The lakes Atnsjøen, Olstappen, and Sandvatnet/Kaldfjorden/Øyvatnet are located in the municipality. The municipality includes parts of the Gudbrandsdalen and Espedalen valleys.

Rondane National Park

Rondane National Park, which lies partially in Sør-Fron, was the first Norwegian National Park, established in 1962. In 2003, Rondane National Park was enlarged and smaller areas of nature protection were opened or enlarged adjacent to the park.

Culture

The famous play Peer Gynt is staged annually at Lake Gålå in a mountainous region of Sør-Fron as part of a festival. The play itself is supposed to have been set in a Norwegian location such as Gålå.

Notable people

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 (2022). "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  4. Statistisk sentralbyrå (2022). "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. ISBN 9788253746845.
  6. Rygh, Oluf (1900). Norske gaardnavne: Kristians amt (in Norwegian) (4 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. pp. 99 & 120.
  7. "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  8. "Sør-Fron, Oppland (Norway)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  9. "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet. 4 March 1988. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  10. Solerød, Helene Amblie (8 December 2017). "Om kommunevåpenet" (in Norwegian). Sør-Fron kommune. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  11. Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (20 September 2022). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  12. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Innlandet". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  13. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2015 - Oppland". Valg Direktoratet.
  14. "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  15. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Oppland". Valg Direktoratet.
  16. Kommunestyrevalget 1999 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 2000. ISBN 8253748531. ISSN 0332-8023.
  17. Kommunestyrevalget 1995 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. ISBN 8253743351. ISSN 0332-8023.
  18. Kommunestyrevalget 1991 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. ISBN 8253737939. ISSN 0332-8023.
  19. Kommunestyrevalget 1987 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. ISBN 8253726325. ISSN 0332-8023.
  20. Kommunestyrevalget 1983 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. ISBN 8253720378. ISSN 0332-8023.
  21. Kommunestyrevalget 1979 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. ISBN 8253710836. ISSN 0332-8023.
  22. "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964.
  23. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960.
  24. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957.
  25. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952.
  26. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948.
  27. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947.
  28. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938.
  29. "O. Kjorstad ordfører i Sør-Fron". Gudbrandsdølen (in Norwegian). 4 December 1919. p. 2.
  30. "Søndre Fron. Anton Ringdal ordfører". Gudbrandsdølen (in Norwegian). 30 December 1922. p. 2.
  31. "Bondepartiet besetter ordførerplassen i S. Fron". Laagen (in Norwegian). 29 December 1925. p. 2.
  32. "Immigrants and Norwegian-born to immigrant parents, by immigration category, country background and percentages of the population". ssb.no. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.

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