Lalm

Historie

Lalm is a village in the municipality of Vågå, Norway. It is located in Ottadalen, at the southern end of Lalmsvatnet, and has a population of 316.The nameIn the Middle Ages the place was known as Ladalm. The name is a reference to the fact that winter hay and feed for animals was stored there.HistoryFrom early in the Middle Ages Lalm was established as an early industrial center.Millstone productionWritten sources indicate that in the 15th century there was millstone production at Lalm, although it is possible the production dates back to the Viking era. From Kvennberget—which translates roughly to the mill-hill—millstones were delivered around Norway and even internationally. Kvennberget gained protected status as a cultural treasure in 1987.Until 1640 Tolstad and Kvennberget were krongods. Anyone was free to produce as many millstones as they could as long as the land owner received every fourth millstone as payment. Starting in the 1830s this business was popular for farmers as winter work. The population increased greatly during this time and it was difficult for the population to subsist on farming.The business in Kvennberget lasted until the end of the 1870s. After the Østerdalsbanen railroad was built, millstones from Selbu took over the millstone market in eastern Norway.At the same time iron was produced from bog ore to supply tools for the millstone production. Near Melingen there are indications of iron production. Also in the area around Mela there was pottery production since the area has a good supply of clay.Soapstone productionAbout a century ago the production of soapstone began at the farm Baarstad. Baarstad became a large employer for the surrounding area and the production lasted about a century until the soapstone supply was exhausted.