Editing Gjerstad (section)

==History==
[[File:116340 Husmannsplassen Lia fra RA.jpg|thumb|left|View of a cotter's home at Lia in Gjerstad]]
Until about 1650, the [[prestegjeld]] of Gjerstad (the precursor to today's municipality) was named ''Vissedal'' (from ''vidr-ser-dalr'' meaning "wood-sea-dale"), a very proper description of the area. Gjerstad has been inhabited from the [[Stone Age]] and [[Viking Age]] through modern times. [[Agriculture]] has long been important, and until only decades ago the more marginal outfields in Upper Gjerstad were still utilized. [[Forestry]] also provided an important historic economic contribution, and logs were driven on rivers and streams in the municipality. To aid log transport by floating, numerous [[dam]]s were constructed. [[Eikeland]] Ironworks were a significant contribution to the economy as well.