Hotels, railways and grand residential buildings
Hotels, railways and grand residential buildings
The development of Saltsjöbaden
Two years after the land purchase, the development of Saltsjöbadenbegan. Järnvägsaktiebolaget Stockholm-Saltsjön was formed with the aim of building a railway between Stockholm and Saltsjöbaden and dividing up and selling plots of land along the route. The company's largest owners were KA Wallenberg and Ernest Thiel. Two magnificent villas were built in 1892 for Ernest Thiel and his brother Arthur Thiel, which came to be called Ackevillan and Bikupan. The area was given the name Vårgård, which makes Vår Gård one year older than the Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden and the railway, which was inaugurated the following year.
Two years after the land purchase, the development of Saltsjöbadenbegan. Järnvägsaktiebolaget Stockholm-Saltsjön was formed with the aim of building a railway between Stockholm and Saltsjöbaden and dividing up and selling plots of land along the route. The company's largest owners were KA Wallenberg and Ernest Thiel. Two magnificent villas were built in 1892 for Ernest Thiel and his brother Arthur Thiel, which came to be called Ackevillan and Bikupan. The area was given the name Vårgård, which makes Vår Gård one year older than the Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden and the railway, which was inaugurated the following year.
Inauguration of Saltsjöbaden in 1893
Saltsjöbaden was inaugurated when the Grand Hotel and the railway were completed. On site was none other than King Oscar II who solemnly declared that Saltsjöbaden was now open to the public. It was a day filled with festivities where the entire Swedish fleet docked in front of the hotel to fire a salute. On this particular day, Sweden had no defense.
Now began the establishment of Stockholm's finest seaside resort, Saltsjöbaden , which would attract wealthy inner-city residents to both vacation and build magnificent residential buildings. With the new railway, it was easy to get out to the exclusive area and its scenic surroundings. King Oscar II also often returned with his family and guests to spend the summers and enjoy salty baths and extravagance. Mellangårdsholmen or Kungsholmen as it was popularly called became the king's private bathing spot and today the islet belongs to Vår Gård and is called Vår Gård 's Holme.
Picture below: Mellangårdsholmen which is today called Vår Gård 's holme
"Sweden's most modern seaside resort"
To advertise the place, a sort of advertising leaflet was published for “Sweden’s most modern seaside resort”. Here is an excerpt from the brochure - Stockholm Saltsjöbaden , 1902 from the Wernerska Samlingarna:
“Due to its fresh sea air, which is, however, tempered by the surrounding coniferous and deciduous forests, Saltsjöbaden a very pleasant climate, never bothered by any oppressive summer heat, and is therefore particularly well suited as a bathing and air health resort for both healthy people and convalescents. Saltsjöbaden particularly beneficial for nervous people and people suffering from insomnia, due to its refreshing nature and the tranquility that prevails at that time”.
Not entirely different from the reason why guests from near and far still visit the beautiful resort that borders both the city and the archipelago.