Konnerud

Konnerud is a residential area south of the city Drammen in Buskerud county, Norway.

History

Origin of the name

Many of the farms located on Konnerud have names that ends with "-rud" and "-holt" (roughly translated to "hill" and "home"), for an example Eskerud and Stubberud. Since "-rud" and "-holt" are originally from around 1200 when Norway spoke Danish, it is presumed that the farms located on Konnerud have been there for as long as from 1100 - 1400.One of these farms have therefore given its name to the entire area. Konnerud can roughly be translated to "Squirrel hill" (ikornrud), which may come from the fact that Konnerud has an extensive amount of squirrels and wildlife in general.

Mining in 1731-1770

Around a small mountain on Konnerud, Konnerudkollen, there where found many expensive quality metals and minerals like silver, copper and lead. In the middle 1730's, action was finally taken to mine these minerals. Due to the lack of knowledge, nobody had tried to do yet, but Count Wedel Jarslberg hired German entrepeuners to help out. The minerals had to be transported to Svelvik, and the expenses was soon more than the income due to the massive transportation. Many of Konneruds now famous waters, like Svensedammen and Sagdammen, exist today purely because of this problem, as the Count needed a place closer to clean the minerals more cheap. The mining provided a job for newcomers to Konnerud, and the Count earned a lot of money until the late 1740's, when the mining was given up on completely in 1790. Mining holes are still found all over Konnerud, however tightly guarded by high fences.

Konnerudkollen touristhotel

There has not been many other things than the mining that influenced Konnerud to that degree. But Konnerudkollen Touristhotel also left its mark on Konnerud. It opened in 1898, and was used as a place where visitors could relax and get away from the stresfull city life. Its two most important happenings was when the then king of Norway, King Haakon VII stayed there, and when it burned down to the ground in the 1940's. Today, only two buildings remain of the hotel, the building containing toilets, and the washery. The lot where the hotel once was placed is now used as a piece of land to keep horses. Remains of the foundation can still be seen clearly, however.

Church

In 1737, Konnerud got a church and a graveyard of their own because of the extensive amount of people who moved to Konnerud because of the mining possibilites. The oldest church on Konnerud, Konnerud Gamle Kirke, was originall built in 1760, but quickly detoriated because of the lack of care. It was rebuilt again in the middle of 1850, and still stands to this day. A new church has also been built, which is more commonly used in baptism and weddings because of the higher amount on seats to the attendants.

chools

In 1746, Count Wedel Jarslberg decided that it would be built a school at Konnerud. The main reason was because this would attract family fathers to the mines. The first teacher came one year later, and the first principal was Lars Heggen.The school originally had a house meant for the principal, but the idea was cast away after the second world war when the house was used by nazi commanders. The school burnt down completely in 1933, but was quickly rebuilt again in 1934, which was doubled in size. Due to the intensely growing number of children on Konnerud, the school has had buildings attached to it in 1954, 1981, 1996 and finally in 1997. For a long time, Konnerud skole was the largest school in Buskerud, and the highest amount of students was 750 in 1983/84. A tradition in most schools is also present at Konnerud skole, which is a painted picture of every principal that has ever been at the school.

Nature and sports

Known for its snowy winters, Konnerud is used as a recreational area for the people living in Drammen who loves skiing in the well preparated tracks leeding deep into the forests. "Konnerud Idrettslag" is one of the largest sports clubs in Norway. Since 2004 the club has arranged World Cup Sprint in cross-country skiing in the center of Drammen.

Famous people from Konnerud include the musician Jonas Fjeld, and some members from the rap group Taktløs.