Indiana State

Early Attempts at Norwegian Settlement

Attempts to establish Norwegian settlements in Indiana were largely unsuccessful. In White County, not far from the shore of Lake Michigan, a group from Drammen, together with a few other Norwegians, attempted to establish a settlement in 1835. The settlement did not last, however, and the settlers soon moved elsewhere. A similar attempt was made in Noble County in 1838, when Ole Aasland from Tønsberg and about twenty followers settled there. Some later moved east to Rochester, New York, while others continued west to Illinois. Attempts were also made to establish Norwegian settlements in St. Joseph, Porter, and Marion counties, but none developed into permanent communities. By 1905, the Norwegians who remained in Indiana were widely scattered.

Norwegian Place Names

In White County, there was a post office named Norway, located in the area where the earlier Norwegian settlement had been attempted. The source regarded the name as a surviving reminder of that settlement. In Pike County, there was also a post office named Stendal. Although the name was clearly Norwegian in character, the source noted that no Norwegians lived there.

Sources:

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