Vestre Toten

Vestre Toten is a municipality in Innlandet county, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Toten. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Raufoss. Other villages in the municipality include Bøverbru, Eina, and Reinsvoll.[3]

Vestre Toten kommune
Municipality
View of the village of Eina
View of the village of Eina
Flag of Vestre Toten kommune
Flag
Coat of arms of Vestre Toten kommune
Coat of arms
Official logo of Vestre Toten kommune
Innlandet within
Norway
Vestre Toten within Innlandet
Vestre Toten within Innlandet
Coordinates: 60°39′10″N 10°35′46″E
CountryNorway
CountyInnlandet
DistrictToten
Established1 Jan 1838
 • Created asFormannskapsdistrikt
Administrative centreRaufoss
Government
 • Mayor (2019)Stian Olafsen (Ap)
Area
 • Total250.65 km2 (96.78 sq mi)
 • Land232.47 km2 (89.76 sq mi)
 • Water18.18 km2 (7.02 sq mi)  7.3%
 • Rank#287 in Norway
Population
 (2022)
 • Total13,572
 • Rank#89 in Norway
 • Density58.4/km2 (151/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Increase +5%
DemonymVestretotning[1]
Official language
[2]
 • Norwegian formBokmål
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-3443
WebsiteOfficial website
Data from Statistics Norway

The 251-square-kilometre (97 sq mi) municipality is the 287th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Vestre Toten is the 89th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 13,572. The municipality's population density is 58.4 inhabitants per square kilometre (151/sq mi) and its population has increased by 5% over the previous 10-year period.[4][5]

General information

Vestre Toten was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). On 1 January 1875, there was a border adjustment between Østre Toten Municipality and Vestre Toten Municipality. On 1 January 1908, the municipality was divided into three parts: Kolbu Municipality (population: 2,412) in the southeast, Eina Municipality (population: 1,173) in the southwest, and Vestre Toten Municipality (population: 4,027) in the north. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, the following areas were merged to form a new, larger Vestre Toten Municipality:[6]

Name

The municipality is named Vestre Toten after the district of Toten (Old Norse: Þótn). The name is identical with the word Þótn which has an uncertain meaning, but it might be from the word þóttr which means "the pleasant district" or "something one likes". The parish of Toten was divided into two parts (eastern and western) in 1825 and the first word, vestre was added to signify that this was the "western" part, thus the name was Vestre Toten which means "(the) western (part of) Toten".[3][7]

See also: Østre Toten § Name

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 3 May 1991. The official blazon is "Vert, two knives argent in bend sinister points to base dexter" (Norwegian: I grønt to sølv kniver skråstilt venstre-høyre). This means the arms have a green field (background) and the charge is two knives that are lined up diagonally (specifically a special locally-produced knife known as a Toten knife). The charge 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 green color in the field symbolizes the local forests and agriculture and the knife was chosen since the area has a long tradition of wood carving and knife making. The arms were designed by Inge Rotevatn. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.[8][9][10][11]

See also: Coat-of-arms of Gjerstad

Churches

The Church of Norway has three parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Vestre Toten. It is part of the Toten prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Hamar.

Churches in Vestre Toten
Parish (sokn)Church nameLocation of the churchYear built
EinaEina ChurchEina1890
RaufossRaufoss ChurchRaufoss1939
ÅsÅs ChurchBøverbru1921

Geography
Einavatnet lake and farmland

Vestre Toten is located along the large lake Mjøsa. The municipality is bordered by Østre Toten Municipality to the east, Gjøvik Municipality to the north, Søndre Land Municipality to the west, and Gran Municipality to the southwest.

The highest point in the municipality is Lauvhøgda with a height of 722 metres (2,369 ft). The Hunnselva river runs through the lake Einavatnet and flows through the whole municipality before going into Gjøvik where it empties into the large lake Mjøsa.

History
Number of minorities (1st and 2nd generation) in Vestre Toten by country of origin in 2017[12]
AncestryNumber
 Poland139
 Lithuania104
 Iraq67
 Thailand61
 Iran58
 Eritrea52
 Turkey49
 Philippines44
 Somalia37
 Syria36

According to the sagas, Halfdan Hvitbeinn (Whiteleg) was the first Yngling in Norway. He conquered Romerike, part of Hedmark, part of Vestfold, and Toten. He was killed in Toten around the year 740.[13]

In 1021, according to saga, King Olaf (reigned 1015–1028) converted Toten to Christianity. Also, King Håkon IV (reigned 1217–1263) came to Toten around the year 1226 to settle local unrest.[13]

Christian II (1481–1559) was a Danish monarch and King of Denmark and Norway from 1513–1523 and also the King of Sweden from 1520–1521, under the Kalmar Union. Prior to becoming king, Duke Christian was sent to Norway in 1506 by John II (also called 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.[13]

Toten was a part of Akershus county until 1756, when it was became part of Oppland county. Lauritz Weidemann, Corporal Peder Balke, and Nels Dyhren from Toten attended the 1814 constitutional convention at Eidsvold.[13]

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.[14] The municipality falls under the Vestre Innlandet District Court and the Eidsivating Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

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

Vestre Toten kommunestyre 2020–2023 [15]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 5
  Red Party (Rødt) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
Total number of members:31
Vestre Toten kommunestyre 2016–2019 [16][17]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 6
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Red Party (Rødt) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:31
Vestre Toten kommunestyre 2012–2015 [18]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 15
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 6
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:31
Vestre Toten kommunestyre 2008–2011 [17]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 15
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:31
Vestre Toten kommunestyre 2004–2007 [17]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:31
Vestre Toten kommunestyre 2000–2003 [17][19]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 14
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
Total number of members:31
Vestre Toten kommunestyre 1996–1999 [20]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 15
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:31
Vestre Toten kommunestyre 1992–1995 [21]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 20
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:41
Vestre Toten kommunestyre 1988–1991 [22]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 24
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 4
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:41
Vestre Toten kommunestyre 1984–1987 [23]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 27
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:41
Vestre Toten kommunestyre 1980–1983 [24]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 26
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 6
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:41
Vestre Toten kommunestyre 1976–1979 [25]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 25
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:41
Vestre Toten kommunestyre 1972–1975 [26]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 26
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:41
Vestre Toten kommunestyre 1968–1971 [27]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 25
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:41
Vestre Toten kommunestyre 1964–1967 [28]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 26
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 6
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:41
Vestre Toten herredsstyre 1960–1963 [29]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 19
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:29
Vestre Toten herredsstyre 1956–1959 [30]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 18
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:29
Vestre Toten herredsstyre 1952–1955 [31]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 5
Total number of members:20
Vestre Toten herredsstyre 1948–1951 [32]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:20
Vestre Toten herredsstyre 1945–1947 [33]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:20
Vestre Toten herredsstyre 1938–1940* [34]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 11
  Radical People's Party (Radikale Folkepartiet) 4
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 5
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 Vestre Toten:[35]

  • 1838-1843: Peder Tollefsen Hallingstad
  • 1844-1845: Johannes Johannessen Westrum
  • 1846-1847: Hans Lemmich Juell
  • 1848-1853: Wilhelm Christian Magelssen
  • 1854-1855: Christian Eilert Heyerdahl
  • 1856-1857: Johannes Johannessen Westrum
  • 1858-1865: Christian Grønland
  • 1866-1871: Lars Christiansen Blilie
  • 1872-1885: Ole Christian Præstesæter
  • 1886-1890: Peder Olsen Hohle
  • 1890-1891: L. A. Grefsrud
  • 1892-1893: Anton Jørgensen Røstøen
  • 1894-1895: Ole Christian Præstesæter
  • 1896-1901: Anton Jørgensen Røstøen
  • 1902-1907: Mathias Blilie (LL)
  • 1908-1916: Olav Larsson Gjørvad (AD)
  • 1917-1922: Peder Markus Hansen Nauf (AD)
  • 1923-1940: Severin Olsen (Ap)
  • 1940-1942: Hans Henrik Petersen (NS)
  • 1942-1945: Ole Thorsrud (NS)
  • 1945-1945: Severin Olsen (Ap)
  • 1946-1951: Helge Sunde (Ap)
  • 1952-1955: Hans J. Kjelsberg (Ap)
  • 1956-1979: Sigurd Østlien (Ap)
  • 1980-1995: Svein Erik Strandlie (Ap)
  • 1995-2011: Stein Knutsen (Ap)
  • 2011-2019: Leif Waarum (Ap)
  • 2019–present: Stian Olafsen (Ap)

Economy

Farming and industry are important. Raufoss Aluminum is a major employer in the community. The Gjøvikbanen railway line passes through the community.

Notable people
Ronni Le Tekrø & TNT, 2012

References
  1. "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
  2. "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  3. Thorsnæs, Geir, ed. (9 July 2022). "Vestre Toten". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  4. Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  5. Statistisk sentralbyrå. "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian).
  6. Jukvam, Dag (1999). Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå. ISBN 9788253746845.
  7. Rygh, Oluf (1902). Norske gaardnavne: Kristians amt (anden halvdel) (in Norwegian) (4-2 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 49.
  8. "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  9. "Vestre Toten, Oppland (Norway)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  10. "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet. 10 May 1991. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  11. "Kommunevåpen". Vestre Toten kommune (in Norwegian). 4 May 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  12. "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.
  13. Stagg, Frank Noel (1956). East Norway and its Frontier. George Allen & Unwin, Ltd.
  14. Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (20 September 2022). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  15. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Innlandet". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  16. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2015 - Oppland". Valg Direktoratet.
  17. "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  18. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Oppland". Valg Direktoratet.
  19. Kommunestyrevalget 1999 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 2000. ISBN 8253748531. ISSN 0332-8023.
  20. Kommunestyrevalget 1995 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. ISBN 8253743351. ISSN 0332-8023.
  21. Kommunestyrevalget 1991 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. ISBN 8253737939. ISSN 0332-8023.
  22. Kommunestyrevalget 1987 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. ISBN 8253726325. ISSN 0332-8023.
  23. Kommunestyrevalget 1983 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. ISBN 8253720378. ISSN 0332-8023.
  24. Kommunestyrevalget 1979 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. ISBN 8253710836. ISSN 0332-8023.
  25. Kommunevalgene 1975 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. ISBN 8253705646.
  26. Kommunevalgene 1972 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Vol. I. Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. ISBN 8253701144.
  27. "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967.
  28. "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964.
  29. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960.
  30. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957.
  31. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952.
  32. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948.
  33. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947.
  34. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938.
  35. Gjørvad, Olav, ed. (1937). Totens bygdebok (in Norwegian). Vol. 2. Oslo. pp. 101–125.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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