Lillesand

Lillesand, Norway (Population 1000)

Lillesand is a town in AustAgder county and is part of the traditional district of Sørlandet situated on the southeast coast of Norway. The Old Norse name means ‘Little Sand Beach’.

In 1821, Lillesand became a privileged port with a population of 300 and nine shipyards. In 1895, it had a merchant fleet of 95 merchant sailing vessels. This prosperity was shortlived, with the rise of the cheaper steel built steamers boats and as the yards closed, many of the residents emigrated from there to the United States.

Lillesand’s fishing industry suffered when the herring left its coast for Scotland in the 18th century. Helmsdale was one of the most important Scottish fishing ports that took full advantage of this harvest from the sea. The early to mid 18th century Customs House is the oldest building in Lillesand. Originally of timber construction, it was built as a fisherman’s boathouse. It was used for customs from 1838 and was listed in 1991. Lillesand Town and Maritime Museum is a local, historic museum located in the centre of the town. The Nobel Prize winning novelist Knut Hamsun resided in Lillesand up until the 1950s.