Editing Sogndal (section)

==History==

===Subsistence farming===
Sogndal is an old dwelling place. [[Archaeology|Archaeological]] excavations indicate that people have been living there as far back as 700 BC. The first farms in Sogndal date back to the 1st century AD and findings indicate that these were rich farms.
Since ancient time, [[agriculture]] has been the most important trade in Sogndal. Traditionally [[cereal|grain]] cultivation and [[animal husbandry]] were the most important, but [[forestry]] and [[fruit]] growing were also common. Fruit, especially apples, have been grown as far back as there are written sources. In the historical records of [[Sverre of Norway|King Sverre]] (12th century) there are words and names indicating that apples have been grown in this area.<ref name="his">{{Cite web |date=17 March 2004 |title=Old time Sogndal |url=http://www.sogndal.kommune.no/sogn/sogndal/sogndalk.nsf/id/2AB23D86E7677D47C1256E5A00330346?OpenDocument&cat=m1_2_9_9 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213092600/http://www.sogndal.kommune.no/sogn/sogndal/sogndalk.nsf/id/2AB23D86E7677D47C1256E5A00330346?OpenDocument |archive-date=13 December 2007 |access-date=23 June 2008 |publisher=Sogndal Kommune}}</ref>

===Industrial revolution===
[[File:Sogndalsfjora 200712.jpg|thumb|left|275px|Sogndalsfjøra]]
The largest settlement of Sogndal, [[Sogndalsfjøra]], has a long and remarkable history as a seaside settlement. It probably served as the center of the [[parish]] for centuries, with general stores and bakeries testifying to its early importance as a center of commerce and trade.

This was a community characterized by vigorous activity. There were boat landings for farmers living alongside the [[fjord]], military functions were established here, and later on, house owners would rent rooms to the first students of the newly established [[folk high school]]. Legal assemblies were held at Hofslund, the [[vicar]] lived just nearby, and the church was located within sight at Stedje.

[[Sogndalsfjøra]] was inhabited as early as the 17th century. By 1701, the number of permanent residents had reached 60–70, mainly people who did not own property but made their living as day laborers. A century later, the population had increased to 222, and by 1900, 422 residents were registered.

Towards the end of the 19th century, the industrial base had been widened and strengthened. In 1881, there were house painters, a [[goldsmith]], saddlers, carpenters, shoemakers, watchmakers, a [[Smith (metalwork)|tinker]], and a butcher. Ten years later, Sogndalsfjøra had its own insurance agent, a telephone operator, an ”automobile chauffeur”, a photographer, and a printer. Sogndalsfjøra was no longer a slum, it was becoming a center of trade, commerce and education.

Sogndal has never been a typical industrial community. Situated along the river {{convert|300|m}} upstream from the fjord, there was a matchstick factory from the mid-19th century onwards. Later, a wool mill and a bottling plant for soft drinks and fruit juices were added. In 1911, a hydroelectric power station with a 200 kilowatt generator was built here. This was one of the region's first power stations, in fact one of the first in rural Norway.

On the other side of the river is the Stedje Mill, a turbine-driven grain mill that was of great importance to Sogndal and the neighboring parishes during the early 20th century. It was established in 1893 and remained in use until the 1960s, owned and run by the same family through three generations.<ref name=his/>