New Scandinavia Colony Begins in 1868 Frontier Era
In 1868 Scandinavian immigrants formed the Scandinavian Agricultural Society and selected land near the Republican River for New Scandinavia. Settlers built the Colony House, faced Indian threats, and organized plots via spinning lot numbers. Early families included Ellingson, Wallin, Holmstrom, and Linvolved names. The Colony House opened Christmas Eve 1868 serving as refuge and community hub.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Scandinavian Agricultural Society
Ferry bridges and river crossings in early Scandinavia
The article recalls the early crossings of the Republican River at New Scandinavia, noting a $700 ferry built by A. B Whiting with a steel cable, rope and pulleys, plus later agitation for a wagon bridge. It covers railway-like trials, flood damage in 1872, tolls, and a 1881 bridge loss, with local anecdotes about toll keeper George Lembke and ministers seeking passage.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New Scandinavia
Waterville
Scandinavia
A. B Whiting
N. C. Wilkie
Concordia Empire
P. T. Strom
Kansas Historical Quarterly
Belleville
Board of County Commissioners
Lord’s Vineyard
George Lembke
Lembke
Republican River
Scandia
Life of the Early Pioneers in New Scandinavia
The article recalls frontier life in New Scandinavia focusing on survival basics Food was simple and plentiful game including buffalo and fish sustained settlers while cornmeal mush and sorghum served as staples Sugar was scarce so coffee often replaced it Trading posts at Waterville and Junction City supplied some goods Children and adults relied on home crafted clothing from flour sacks and knitted garments Men resoled shoes with leather scraps while women spun woven and sewed dyed calico dresses Christmas featured cakes popcorn decorations and meat dishes with modest gifts Fourth of July brought picnics speeches and gunpowder explosions Debates spelling bees and literacy practice filled Colony House gatherings as education and entertainment in the early settlement years
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Scandia
Waterville
Colony House
O. J. Strom
Pete Strom
Frantz Granstedt
August
Malcolm
Bertina
Charles Holmstrom
Strom
Olaf
Pete
Wallin
Louisa
John Boman
New Scandinavia
M. O. Lervold
Junction City
Lake Sibley
A. J. Floodberg
Floddberg
New
Scandinavia
Jewell
Holmstrom
Ile
Paul Erickson
Malcolm Granstedt
Dakotas
Mr. Strom
Chicago
Gilbert Anderson
Husban
Old Colony House
Also Mentioned on This Page
Lincoln
Alaska
South
Ku Klux Klan
Johnson
U. S. Grant
Japan
Sweden
Bernadotte
Charles XV
Jenny Lind
Otto Goldschmidt
America
New World
Ellis Island
New York
Papa
Amerika
Kansas
Minnesota
City of
Republic
Axel Ellingson
Society
Oak Creek
Peterson
Ellingson
M. Johnson
Charles Lysholm
Pp. Wallin
John Lundin
C. J. Strom Fran
Scandia River
Weislogel
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!