Florida State

Early Norwegian Presence

Norwegian seamen had long and frequently visited the port of Pensacola in Escambia County, and a number of Norwegians lived there by 1905, probably including families of seamen. The source was unable to determine who had been the first Norwegian settler.

In Tallahassee, Leon County, the first Norwegian known to the author was Hans B. Raa from Hedmark.

Norwegian Settlement on the East Coast

A small Norwegian settlement developed on Florida’s east coast in Brevard County. It was established in 1895 and included the brothers Jens, Ole, Andreas, Elias, and Olaf Helseth, as well as Jacob and Andrew Kjøstwig, all from Romsdal; Bendik Bendiksen from Tromsø; Julius Olsen from Østre Toten; and J. Strande and L. H. Hovelsrud. The source suggests that there may also have been others whose places of origin in Norway were unknown. The settlement was closely associated with the post offices of Oslo and Viking, both of which bore Norwegian names. Andrew Kjøstwig served as Postmaster at Viking, while Ole Helseth managed the Oslo Post Office.

Churches and Congregations

Pensacola had a Norwegian Seamen’s Church with a reading room. By 1905, it was the only Norwegian church in Florida.

Norwegian Place Names

In Gadsden County, there was also a post office named Norway, although the source noted that no Norwegians lived there.

Sources:

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