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Facts about Sandtorg
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From around the year of 1300 Sandtorg was mentioned in historical documents, and archaeological surveys tell that the place has been populated for at least 1000 years. During 150 years, from 1750 until 1900 the village was the most important trading centre in the Harstad region. In the 17th and 18th centuries local fishermen sold dried fish during the summer to merchants from the towns of Trondheim and Bergen. The largest farm in the area was located here from 1810 until 1925. On a small peninsula still the main buildings of the trading centre can be seen. They are from 300 to 100 years old. The largest building was more than 80 years ago moved from its original location to its present (a distance of about 200 metres) using only manual labour and no machines.
Today some industrial companies are located at Sandtorg, producing fishing vessels and housebuilding materials. A Post Office is also situated here.
The nature is wild and impressing, and during the winter Nordic skiing is a very popular leisure time activity for locals. The mountain named Saetertinden is the third highest on Hinnoeya island, and is 1,098 meter up. From the peak of the mountain it is possible to view many miles in all directions. Hikes in the nature are very desired both summer and winter. Fishing in the sea is also very popular and the chances of catching both cod and pollack are good.
On the map above you may find Sandtorg's location, and we also have included a table showing the distance to our village from other spots in Norway. In near future we hope to be able to provide a more detailed map, telling you how to navigate at Sandtorg.
If you need more detailed information, send us an E-MAIL, and we will do our very best to answer any question about our neighbourhood.
Do you have information about our village, and want to share it with other people? Let us know, and we will publish it on our pages. Photographic materials are scanned and the originals will of course be returned.
During the famous WW II spring 1940 battle of Narvik, British and French troops were stationed here. We are lacking much documentation about this period, so any source about these dramatic months is highly appreciated. Soldier's letters from Sandtorg would be most interesting to us.
Last but not least we also are searching for reports of foreign origin, written down or by other means committed to paper by merchants or other travellers visiting the northern parts of Norway before 1950. With its central location, anyone who travelled north of Bodoe is likely to have visited the village of Sandtorg.
Last updated 03. October 2006 (c) Tore Skogly