The history of Saltsjöbaden
The history of Saltsjöbaden
Stockholm is growing
As a result of the latter half of the 19th century being marked by a rapidly growing population in Stockholm, intensive construction began to take off and several villa towns around the city began to emerge.
The working class crowded into the shantytowns of the inner city, while the more affluent middle class began to move out of the city. New housing ideals and inadequate sanitary conditions were more of a cause than the lack of housing. Photographer: Erik Holmberg/ Maritime Museum
As a result of the latter half of the 19th century being marked by a rapidly growing population in Stockholm, intensive construction began to take off and several villa towns around the city began to emerge.
The working class crowded into the shantytowns of the inner city, while the more affluent middle class began to move out of the city. New housing ideals and inadequate sanitary conditions were more of a cause than the lack of housing. Photographer: Erik Holmberg/ Maritime Museum
The Saltsjöbaden business idea
The Saltsjöbaden business idea arose when financier KA Wallenberg and industrialist Ernest Thiel were on vacation with their families at the popular seaside resort of Trouville-sur-Mer in northwestern France.
They were fascinated by the bustling French coast with its beautiful houses, restaurants, railways and stately hotels. The inspiration led to the idea of building an equally fancy seaside resort at home in Stockholm. The discussion was ongoing and it is widely known that KA Wallenberg's half-brothers Gustaf, Oscar and Marcus strongly disagreed about carrying out the project.
They thought it was too much financial risk-taking. According to legend, the origin of Saltsjöbaden depended on a bet between the brothers Wallenberg and Ernest Thiel.
Knut Agathon Wallenberg invited everyone to his summer house in Djursholm where he came up with the brilliant idea of a competition. The person who jumped furthest into the water from the roof of the bath house would get to decide whether the project would be carried out. Ernest Thiel, who together with Knut was one of the most driven, took the plunge and jumped the furthest. The plans were thus set in motion and soon Stockholmers would have an exclusive seaside resort to travel to to enjoy salty baths, scenic surroundings and fresh air. Now it was a matter of finding the right location to build on.
At first they found a suitable area on the Baltic coast in Tyresö parish, but then got a tip about Nacka parish and an area between Baggensfjärden, Lännerstasund and Erstaviken. It is said that the location with the most hours of sunshine was a decisive factor and on July 4, 1889, KA Wallenberg signed the contract for a purchase price of SEK 250,000. Shortly afterwards, the application to build a railway was also signed. At the time of the land purchase, approximately 75 people lived in the dense forest area with deep valleys, mountain peaks and fault slopes that eventually came to be known as Saltsjöbaden. Picture below: Illustration of the railway around the turn of the century.