Clatsop County, Oregon

Early Norwegian Settlement

The first Norwegian farmer in Clatsop County was Hans Anderson from Egersund, who settled at Mishawaka during the 1870s. The first Norwegian settler in the vicinity of Westport was Iver Hansen, who arrived there in 1879. Even before that time, however, Norwegians had settled in the fishing town of Astoria, where the Norwegian population became comparatively large.

Churches and Congregations

The first Norwegian congregation in Clatsop County was established at Astoria in 1877. It belonged to the Norwegian Synod, and Pastor E. Christensen was its first pastor. The county’s first Norwegian church building was erected by a Methodist congregation in 1888. By 1905, Clatsop County had six Norwegian congregations and three churches. Two congregations belonged to the Norwegian Synod, two to the Methodist Church, and two to the Lutheran Free Church.

Public Office

Three Norwegians had held public office in Astoria. T. Brække served as Justice of the Peace, while Paul Stangeland and L. O. Bjelland served as City Council members.

Hans Lorentsen and a Mr. Svindseth had also recently been nominated for the Oregon State Legislature, but both belonged to the losing political party and were not elected.

Norwegian Place Names

There was also a post office in Clatsop County named Swensen.

Sources:

[Ulvestad, Martin. Nordmændene i Amerika. Utg. History Book Company's Forlag. Minneapolis, Minn. 1907.]