Østre Toten

Østre Toten is bordered to the west by Vestre Toten, to the north by Gjøvik in Oppland county, as well as by Hurdal and Eidsvoll in neighboring Akershus county.

The highest peak is Torseterkampen with a height of 841 meters.

Although some residences are widely spread, most people live in the areas of Skreia, Kapp, Kolbu og Lena (the administrative center).

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Economy

Østre Toten is one of the Opplands most productive farming municipalities. Østre Toten is Norway's largest producers of potatos and onions. This is reflected in the municipalities coat of arms, which displays a potato plant.

The Kims factory (which produces potato chips) is located at Skreia.

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History

Histories of Østre Toten & Vestre Toten are combined here.

According to saga, Harald Hvitbein (Whiteleg) was the first Yngling in Norway. He conquered Romerike, part of Hedmark, part of Vestfold and Toten. He was killed in Toten in ~740.

In 1021, according to saga, King Olaf's (A.D. 1015-1021) converted Toten to christianity.

Also according to saga, Håkon IV (1204–1263) came to Toten in ~1226 to settle local unrest.

Christian II (1481 – 1559) was a Danish monarch and King of Denmark, Norway (1513 – 1523) and Sweden (1520 – 1521), under the Kalmar Union. Prior to becoming king, Duke Christian was sent to Norway in 1506 by John II (or Hans), King of Norway (1483 – 1513) to take charge of the kingdom. In 1507 he became aware of a revolt in Hedmark. In early 1508 he took a force there, routing the rebellion. He then rowed across lake Mjøsa to Toten, capturing residents, imprisoning them in the vaulted cellar of the rectory in Østre Toten and torturing them there. As a result, he determined that Bishop Karl of Hamar had been behind the rebellion. With Bishop Karl as his captive, he was able to suppress the unrest.

Toten was a part of Akershus county until 1756, when it was reassigned to Oppland county.

Lauritz Weideman, Corporal Peder Balke and Nels Dyhren from Toten attended the 1814 constitutional convention at Eidsvold.

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What to see

Image:Hoff Kirke, Østre Toten.jpg

Hoff stone church.

The Rock carvings at Glemmestad, Kapp, now moved to Toten Museum. Two large stones with four images of moose. They have been under water most of the year. The largest one is about 1 meter long.

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Famous residents

Margit Sandemo, author
May-Britt Anderssen, musician
Inger Lise Rypdal, musician
Eldar Vågan, musician
Peder Balke, artist
Roger Ruud, ski jumper
Halvdan Svarte Gudrødsson, viking king, father of the first King of Norway Harald I and founder of the House of Yngling

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References

East Norway and its Frontier by Frank Noel Stagg, George Allen & Unwin, Ltd. 1956

Municipalities of Oppland	Image:Oppland vapen.png
Dovre \| Etnedal \| Gausdal \| Gjøvik \| Gran \| Jevnaker \| Lesja \| Lillehammer \| Lom \| Lunner \| Nord-Aurdal \| Nord-Fron \| Nordre Land \| Ringebu \| Sel \| Skjåk \| Søndre Land \| Sør-Aurdal \| Sør-Fron \| Vang \| Vestre Slidre \| Vestre Toten \| Vågå \| Østre Toten \| Øyer \| Øystre Slidre