Jakobstad
Encyclopedia
Jakobstad is a town and municipality in Ostrobothnia
, Finland
. The town has a population of and covers a land area of km2. The population density
is PD/km2.
, the widow of the military commander Jacob De la Gardie
, and was granted city privileges by Queen Christina of Sweden
. The Swedish
name literally means Jacob's City or Jacob's Town. The town was founded at the old harbour of the parish Pedersöre
and this name lives on in the Finnish name of the municipality, Pietarsaari, literally Peter's Island. Pedersöre remains an independent municipality neighbouring Jakobstad.
The city grew slowly at first, with the authorities scarcely promoting any growth. In 1680 the inhabitants were ordered to relocate to the cities of Karleby (Kokkola
), Uleåborg (Oulu
) and Nykarleby
, but the order was rescinded. Wars also contributed to the slow growth, and the city was invaded by Russian troops twice during the Greater Wrath
, and large parts of the town were burnt to the ground. A majority of the inhabitants fled the city. While those with means moved across the sea to the Swedish side, others took shelter in the forest or in the archipelago. Many were captured or killed. During the 1720s, some of the previous inhabitants returned, while newcomers also added to the population. The subsequent decades were finally marked by a period of growth, and the current church was built in 1731.
The economic foundation was laid in the mid 18th century, with tar manufacturing and tobacco packaging at its centre. Trade started to develop rapidly in Jakobstad as of 1765, when the cities along the Finnish shore of the Gulf of Bothnia
were granted privileges by the Swedish crown to trade directly with foreign countries. This also led to shipbuilding becoming a major activity in Jakobstad. The first ships to sail with goods to foreign countries were the galeas
Jacobstads Wapen
and the brig
Enigheten. Trade and shipbuilding made Jakobstad a wealthy city, and a notable businessman of that time was the merchant and shipbuilder Adolf Lindskog
, who also became one of the richest men in Finland.
The early 19th century was a time of upheaval, which saw the 1808–1809 war
between Sweden
and Russia
, as well as a devastating fire in 1835 that destroyed approximately half of the city. Despite this, the economic progress continued, and a brewery, a matchstick factory and several banks were founded after 1850. In 1859, the merchant and shipowner Peter Malm
started a steam powered sawmill, which was only the second such installation in Finland. The Crimean War
was a major setback to shipping industry, as the British navy puts up an effective blockade and the shipping fleet in Jakobstad is reduced from 26 ships to 9.
Notable businessmen in the 19th century were Otto Malm
and Wilhelm Schauman
, the latter founding a chicory (coffee substitute) factory in Jakobstad in 1883. This moment in time is usually considered as the start of industrialization in Jakobstad. In 1900, the Strengberg
tobacco factory was the largest employer in Jakobstad.
An artillery school was located in Jakobstad during the Finnish civil war
. During World War II
, the city was bombed once by Soviet bomber planes, causing a few casualties. Up until the 1960s, the town was overwhelmingly Swedish speaking, but as a consequence of industrial expansion in the 1960s and 1970s, the need for additional work force caused a large influx of Finnish speakers. The town remains bilingual with being Swedish
and Finnish
speakers.
in Jakobstad:
plays in Veikkausliiga
, the first league in Finland. The woman's league football club FC United has been very successful over the years.
Ostrobothnia (region)
Ostrobothnia is a region of Finland. It is located in Western Finland. It borders the regions Central Ostrobothnia, Southern Ostrobothnia, and Satakunta and is one of the four regions making up the historical province of Ostrobothnia....
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
. The town has a population of and covers a land area of km2. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
is PD/km2.
History
The town was founded in 1652 by Ebba BraheEbba Brahe
Ebba Magnusdotter Brahe was a lady-in-waiting in the Swedish court, countess, and the mistress of king Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden...
, the widow of the military commander Jacob De la Gardie
Jacob De la Gardie
Field Marshal and Count Jacob Pontusson De la Gardie was a statesman and a soldier of the Swedish Empire....
, and was granted city privileges by Queen Christina of Sweden
Christina of Sweden
Christina , later adopted the name Christina Alexandra, was Queen regnant of Swedes, Goths and Vandals, Grand Princess of Finland, and Duchess of Ingria, Estonia, Livonia and Karelia, from 1633 to 1654. She was the only surviving legitimate child of King Gustav II Adolph and his wife Maria Eleonora...
. The Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
name literally means Jacob's City or Jacob's Town. The town was founded at the old harbour of the parish Pedersöre
Pedersöre
Pedersöre is a municipality of Finland. Its seat is in Bennäs .It is located in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Ostrobothnia region. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of ofwhich...
and this name lives on in the Finnish name of the municipality, Pietarsaari, literally Peter's Island. Pedersöre remains an independent municipality neighbouring Jakobstad.
The city grew slowly at first, with the authorities scarcely promoting any growth. In 1680 the inhabitants were ordered to relocate to the cities of Karleby (Kokkola
Kokkola
Kokkola is a town and municipality of Finland.The town is located in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Central Ostrobothnia region. The town has a population of and covers an area of of which is water. The population density is...
), Uleåborg (Oulu
Oulu
Oulu is a city and municipality of inhabitants in the region of Northern Ostrobothnia, in Finland. It is the most populous city in Northern Finland and the sixth most populous city in the country. It is one of the northernmost larger cities in the world....
) and Nykarleby
Nykarleby
Nykarleby is a town and municipality of Finland. It is located in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Ostrobothnia region. The municipality is bilingual, with the majority speaking Swedish and the minority Finnish ....
, but the order was rescinded. Wars also contributed to the slow growth, and the city was invaded by Russian troops twice during the Greater Wrath
Greater Wrath
The Greater Wrath is a term used in Finnish history for the Russian invasion and subsequent military occupation of Eastern Sweden, now Finland, from 1714 until the treaty of Nystad 1721, which ended the Great Northern War, although sometimes the term is used to denote all of the Great Northern...
, and large parts of the town were burnt to the ground. A majority of the inhabitants fled the city. While those with means moved across the sea to the Swedish side, others took shelter in the forest or in the archipelago. Many were captured or killed. During the 1720s, some of the previous inhabitants returned, while newcomers also added to the population. The subsequent decades were finally marked by a period of growth, and the current church was built in 1731.
The economic foundation was laid in the mid 18th century, with tar manufacturing and tobacco packaging at its centre. Trade started to develop rapidly in Jakobstad as of 1765, when the cities along the Finnish shore of the Gulf of Bothnia
Gulf of Bothnia
The Gulf of Bothnia is the northernmost arm of the Baltic Sea. It is situated between Finland's west coast and Sweden's east coast. In the south of the gulf lie the Åland Islands, between the Sea of Åland and the Archipelago Sea.-Name:...
were granted privileges by the Swedish crown to trade directly with foreign countries. This also led to shipbuilding becoming a major activity in Jakobstad. The first ships to sail with goods to foreign countries were the galeas
Galeas
The galeas is a small type of trade ship, which was common in the Baltic Sea and North Sea from the 17th to the early 20th centuries. The characteristics of the ships depend somewhat from where the ship originated. Swedish versions had two masts and were rigged as ketchs, sometimes as schooners...
Jacobstads Wapen
Jacobstads Wapen
The Jacobstads Wapen is a modern replica of an 18th century galeas built in Jakobstad, Finland between 1988-1994. She is built according to blueprints by the Swedish warship architect Fredrik Henrik af Chapman dating from 1755, the oldest vessel blueprints found in Finland. She is classified by...
and the brig
Brig
A brig is a sailing vessel with two square-rigged masts. During the Age of Sail, brigs were seen as fast and manoeuvrable and were used as both naval warships and merchant vessels. They were especially popular in the 18th and early 19th centuries...
Enigheten. Trade and shipbuilding made Jakobstad a wealthy city, and a notable businessman of that time was the merchant and shipbuilder Adolf Lindskog
Adolf Lindskog
Per Adolf Lindskog was a notable businessman and shipbuilder in Jakobstad at the turn of the 19th century. He was married to Anna Catharina Malm, the daughter of the prominent merchant and shipbuilder Niclas Malm...
, who also became one of the richest men in Finland.
Finnish War
The Finnish War was fought between Sweden and the Russian Empire from February 1808 to September 1809. As a result of the war, the eastern third of Sweden was established as the autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland within the Russian Empire...
between Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
and Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, as well as a devastating fire in 1835 that destroyed approximately half of the city. Despite this, the economic progress continued, and a brewery, a matchstick factory and several banks were founded after 1850. In 1859, the merchant and shipowner Peter Malm
Peter Malm
Peter Malm was a major ship owner and merchant in Finland in the 19th century, and the father of Otto A. Malm.-Life:...
started a steam powered sawmill, which was only the second such installation in Finland. The Crimean War
Crimean War
The Crimean War was a conflict fought between the Russian Empire and an alliance of the French Empire, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The war was part of a long-running contest between the major European powers for influence over territories of the declining...
was a major setback to shipping industry, as the British navy puts up an effective blockade and the shipping fleet in Jakobstad is reduced from 26 ships to 9.
Notable businessmen in the 19th century were Otto Malm
Otto Malm
Otto August Malm was one of the most famous shipping magnates in Finland in the 19th century, and the second richest man in Finland after Antti Ahlström.-Life:...
and Wilhelm Schauman
Wilhelm Schauman
Berndt Wilhelm Schauman was a Finnish industrialist, the most important in Jakobstad at the beginning of the 20th century. He was the older brother of Ossian Schauman. Wilhelm Schauman's first industrial installation was a small chicory factory, which he founded in 1883...
, the latter founding a chicory (coffee substitute) factory in Jakobstad in 1883. This moment in time is usually considered as the start of industrialization in Jakobstad. In 1900, the Strengberg
Philip Ulric Strengberg
Philip Ulric Strengberg was a prominent business man in Jakobstad and the majority owner of the Ph. U. Strengberg tobaccy factory, which he co-owned together with Wilhelm Schauman.-Life:...
tobacco factory was the largest employer in Jakobstad.
An artillery school was located in Jakobstad during the Finnish civil war
Finnish Civil War
The Finnish Civil War was a part of the national, political and social turmoil caused by World War I in Europe. The Civil War concerned control and leadership of The Grand Duchy of Finland as it achieved independence from Russia after the October Revolution in Petrograd...
. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the city was bombed once by Soviet bomber planes, causing a few casualties. Up until the 1960s, the town was overwhelmingly Swedish speaking, but as a consequence of industrial expansion in the 1960s and 1970s, the need for additional work force caused a large influx of Finnish speakers. The town remains bilingual with being Swedish
Finland-Swedish
Finland Swedish is a general term for the closely related cluster of dialects of Swedish spoken in Finland by Swedish-speaking Finns as their mother tongue...
and Finnish
Finnish language
Finnish is the language spoken by the majority of the population in Finland Primarily for use by restaurant menus and by ethnic Finns outside Finland. It is one of the two official languages of Finland and an official minority language in Sweden. In Sweden, both standard Finnish and Meänkieli, a...
speakers.
Politics
Results of the Finnish parliamentary election, 2011Finnish parliamentary election, 2011
An election to the Eduskunta was held on 17 April 2011 after the termination of the previous parliamentary term. Advance voting, which included voting by Finnish expatriates, was held between 6 and 12 April with a turnout of 31.2%....
in Jakobstad:
- Swedish People's Party 40.5%
- Social Democratic PartySocial Democratic Party of FinlandThe Social Democratic Party of Finland is one of the three major political parties in Finland, along with the Centre Party and the National Coalition Party. Jutta Urpilainen is the current SDP leader. The party has been in the Finnish government cabinet for long periods and has set many...
21.0% - True FinnsTrue FinnsTrue Finns or The Finns is a populist and nationalist political party in Finland, founded in 1995 following the dissolution of the Finnish Rural Party. The head of the movement is Timo Soini. In the 2011 Finnish parliamentary election, The party won 19.1% of votes, becoming the third largest party...
14.5% - Christian DemocratsChristian Democrats (Finland)The Christian Democrats is a Christian democratic political party in Finland. Formerly known as the Finnish Christian League , the Christian Democrats have six seats in the Finnish Parliament and one in the European Parliament.The party was founded in 1958, chiefly from the Christian faction of...
8.4% - Left AllianceLeft Alliance (Finland)The Left Alliance is a left-wing political party in Finland. It was founded on the basis of the Finnish People's Democratic League and the Communist Party of Finland in 1990....
6.0% - Centre PartyCentre Party (Finland)The Centre Party is a centrist and Nordic agrarian political party in Finland. It is one of the four largest political parties in the country, along with the Social Democratic Party , the National Coalition Party and the True Finns , and currently has 35 seats in the Finnish Parliament...
4.3% - National Coalition Party 3.1%
- Green LeagueGreen LeagueThe Green League is a centrist green liberal political party in Finland. It has ten seats in the Finnish Parliament and two in the European Parliament. The current chairperson is Ville Niinistö....
1.1%
Culture and sights
- Jakobstad City HallJakobstad City HallJakobstad City Hall is a historic building in the city of Jakobstad, Finland. It was completed in 1875. The current look of the building dates from 1890....
(Swedish: Jakobstads rådhus) is a historic building in the city which was completed in 1875. The current look of the building dates from 1890. - Jakobstad is the home of the galeasGaleasThe galeas is a small type of trade ship, which was common in the Baltic Sea and North Sea from the 17th to the early 20th centuries. The characteristics of the ships depend somewhat from where the ship originated. Swedish versions had two masts and were rigged as ketchs, sometimes as schooners...
Jacobstads WapenJacobstads WapenThe Jacobstads Wapen is a modern replica of an 18th century galeas built in Jakobstad, Finland between 1988-1994. She is built according to blueprints by the Swedish warship architect Fredrik Henrik af Chapman dating from 1755, the oldest vessel blueprints found in Finland. She is classified by...
, a full scale replica built between 1987 and 1992, based on the original 1755 drawings by Swedish naval architect Fredrik Henrik af ChapmanFredrik Henrik af ChapmanFredrik Henrik af Chapman was a Swedish shipbuilder, scientist and officer in the Swedish navy. He was also manager of the Karlskrona shipyard 1782-1793...
http://www.jacobstadswapen.net/engelska/eng.htm - The Arctic museum NanoqNanoqNanoq is a museum in Jakobstad, Finland, specializing on arctic culture and Greenland in particular.The museum hosts an exhibition about famous polar expeditions and displays many items, e.g. the balloon gondola from S.A...
is located outside Jakobstad. - Chicorymuseum is the only chicorymuseum in Finland. In the former chicory factory from the 19th century visitors can familiarize themselves with the production of chicory, get acquainted with Wilhelm Schaumans early industrial career and also experience authentic old factory conditions. The museum in Pietarsaari will also offer art exhibitions and other events.
- The botanical garden Skolparken, with approximately 1,000 plant species, is renowned both as one of the most northerly botanical gardens in the world and for its classical park architecture. The foundation was laid in 1915 and the park was completed in 1932. The funding was provided by the Schauman family, who wanted to honour the memory of Elise and Viktor SchaumanViktor SchaumanViktor Schauman was a pharmacist and notable business person and politician from Jakobstad, Finland. He was married to Elise Wilhelmina Schauman and was the father of the industrialist Wilhelm Schauman and Ossian Schauman, who later created the health organization Folkhälsan.In 1845 he bought the...
. The park was designed by the prominent Finnish garden architect Bengt SchalinBengt SchalinBengt Schalin was a well known garden architect and botanist in Finland during the 20th century.-Life:...
. - Skata is a protected residential area close to the city centre which dates from 1783. Up until the late 19th century, Skata was home primarily to sailors and their families. As of the 1890s, it transformed into a mainly working class area, providing housing to a large part of the work force employed by the Strengberg tobacco factory.
Sports
The town's football team FF JaroFF Jaro
FF Jaro is a Finnish football club, based in the bilingual town of Jakobstad. It currently plays in the Finnish Premier League Veikkausliiga...
plays in Veikkausliiga
Veikkausliiga
Veikkausliiga is the premier division of Finnish football, comprising the top 12 clubs of the country. Veikkausliiga is currently ranked as the 28th best league in Europe. Its main sponsor is the Finnish national betting agency Veikkaus, hence the league's name...
, the first league in Finland. The woman's league football club FC United has been very successful over the years.
Notable people from Jakobstad
- Alexei Eremenko Jr., Finnish football national team midfielder who plays Ukrainian team FC Metalist KharkivFC Metalist KharkivFC Metalist Kharkiv is a Ukrainian professional football club based in Kharkiv. It competes in the Ukrainian Premier League, the highest football level in the country. Founded in 1925, the team worked its way up the rungs of the Soviet football system, eventually being promoted to the Soviet Top...
- Roman EremenkoRoman EremenkoRoman Alekseevich Eremenko is a Russian-born Finnish footballer who currently plays for FC Rubin Kazan in the Russian Premier League. He is best known for his time in Dynamo Kyiv, with whom he became leader, winning the Ukrainian Premier League title in 2009, and playing in the Champions and...
, Finnish football national team midfielder who plays Ukrainian team FC Dynamo KyivFC Dynamo KyivFC Dynamo Kyiv is a professional football club based in the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv. Founded in 1927, the club currently participates in the Ukrainian Premier League and has spent its entire history in the top league of Soviet and later Ukrainian football... - Mathias "Vreth" Lillmåns, singer of Finnish metal band Finntroll
- Joanna LindénJoanna LindénJoanna Lindén is a Fenno-Swedish art historian, journalist and photographer. She was born on September 3, 1984 in Jabokstad .-Educational background:...
is an art historian, journalist and photographer - Karl and his son Walter NarsKarl NarsKarl Nars was a well known industrialist in Jakobstad in the first half of the 20th century.As of 1934, Nars was the owner of the steampowered sawmill in Jakobstad ...
, pioneers in Finnish plastics manufacturing with their company Oy Nars Ab (originally from PurmoPurmoPurmo is a former municipality of Finland. It was incorporated into the rural municipality of Pedersöre in Ostrobothnia in 1977. Purmo is home to a wooden church built by A. Hakola in 1772. Approximately 1,400 people live in Purmo and like in Pedersöre, they are mainly...
but establishing their business activities in Jakobstad). - Fredrik NorrenaFredrik NorrenaFredrik Jan Elis Norrena is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for Linköping of the Swedish Elitserien.- Playing career :...
, former goaltender for the Columbus Blue JacketsColumbus Blue JacketsThe Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... - Jens PortinJens PortinJens Portin is a Finnish footballer, who represents Gefle IF of Allsvenskan, the Swedish premier division of football. His younger brother Jonas is also a professional footballer, playing for Ascoli Calcio in Serie B.-References:*...
, Finnish defender who plays Swedish Allsvenskan team Gefle IFGefle IFGefle IF is a Swedish football club located in Gävle. The club's name is the old spelling of the town Gävle. The club, formed 5 December 1882, is currently playing in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan. Gefle IF and Brynäs IF merged and played under the name Gefle IF/Brynäs between the 1979... - Jonas PortinJonas PortinJonas Lennart Portin is a Finnish footballer, who plays as a defender.Portin represents Calcio Padova of Serie B, the second-tier league of football in Italy. He made his debut at the senior level in 2005 with FF Jaro. In 2009 he transferred to Serie B club Ascoli. Portin was also a member of...
, Finnish football national team defender who plays Italian Serie B team Ascoli Calcio 1898Ascoli Calcio 1898Ascoli Calcio 1898 is an Italian football club based in Ascoli Piceno, Marche. The club was formed in 1898 and currently plays in Italian Serie B, having returned to it after two seasons spent in Serie A... - Johan Ludvig RunebergJohan Ludvig RunebergJohan Ludvig Runeberg was a Finnish poet, and is the national poet of Finland. He wrote in the Swedish language....
, the national poet of Finland, was born in Jakobstad - Tomas SandströmTomas SandströmTomas Sandström is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League from 1984 to 1999. He grew up in Fagersta, Sweden....
, former ice-hockey player who played NHL and Swedish National Ice-Hockey team.
- Ossian SchaumanOssian SchaumanOssian Schauman was the founder of the Swedish-speaking non-governmental organization Folkhälsan, which provides social welfare and health care services in Finland...
, the founder of the Swedish-speaking non-governmental organization FolkhälsanFolkhälsanSamfundet Folkhälsan, or in short Folkhälsan is a non-governmental organization based in Finland. It is active in advocating social welfare and health care for the Swedish-speakers of Finland. The organization also carries out scientific research and informs and counsels in order to promote health...
, was born and spent his youth in Jakobstad. Folkhälsan provides social welfare and health care services in Finland. - Philip Ulric StrengbergPhilip Ulric StrengbergPhilip Ulric Strengberg was a prominent business man in Jakobstad and the majority owner of the Ph. U. Strengberg tobaccy factory, which he co-owned together with Wilhelm Schauman.-Life:...
was a prominent businessman and majority owner of the local tobacco factory in the 19th century. - Fredrik SvanbäckFredrik SvanbäckFredrik Svanbäck is a Finnish-Swedish football player who represents Landskrona BoIS in the Swedish Superettan. He signed for Helsingborgs IF in 2004 having spent all his career up to that at FF Jaro in his home town. He is a left midfielder, but has also tried the full-back position. He has been...
, Finnish midfielder who plays Swedish Superettan team Landskrona BoISLandskrona BoISLandskrona BoIS is a Swedish professional football club located in Landskrona, which currently plays in the second highest Swedish division, Superettan. The club, formed on 7 February 1915 was a merger of two clubs from the city of Landskrona; IFK Landskrona and Diana... - Willhelm Schauman, founder of Ab Wilhelm Schauman Oy, which is today known as UPM-Kymmene.
External links
- Town of Jakobstad – Official site
- Österbottens Tidning – Local newspaper
- Jakobs Dagar
- Chicorymuseum - Chicorymuseum