Norway in America

Amund, IA
Norway in America - Iowa Post office names in USA and Canada with Norwegian origin. Research by Hallvard Slettebø and Dag Henriksbø. This page was updated 21 January 2024
Amund is a community in Eden Twp., Winnebago Co., IA. A post office was in operation in Amund from 1888 until it was discontinued in 1907, superseded by R.D. from Bricelyn, MN. It was named for postmaster Amund A. Fosnes, born in Norway and came to the USA in 1867.
Bergen, IA
Bergen, a small community in Waterloo Twp., Allamakee Co., IA, on the border to Minnesota. The area had many settlers from Norway, and the place must have been named for Bergen, Norway. The post office was established 1872 with Thomas Forgersen as postmaster, closed 1873. Re-established 1876, closed 1889. Across the border, in Wilmington Twp., Houston Co., MN the Bee post office was established 1890, and this was virtually the same community as Bergen, IA.
Brevick, IA
Brevick, post office in High Lake Twp., Emmet Co., IA. Established 1881 with Peder P. Wolden as postmaster (Peder Pederson Dalsegvolden, born 1841 Søndre Fron, Oppland, Norway). P.P. Wolden’s land was on the eastern shore of High Lake, between High Lake and Mud Lake. Brevick is a descriptive name, the Norwegian Brevig or Brevik translates to Wide Bay, which fits well with the local topography. The post office closed 1883 with mail to Swan Lake City.
Dalby, IA
Dalby is a community in Center Twp., Allamakee Co., IA. It was named for Dalby in Ringsaker, Hedmark, Norway, where the Rev. Ove Jacob Hjort had lived with his family before emigrating to America 1862. A post office was opened in Dalby in 1869, with Halvor Olson postmaster – he was from Norway. It was discontinued in 1887 with mail to Waukon. NFT 6/2018.
Dale, IA
Dale was a Norwegian community in Utica Twp., Chickasaw Co., IA. The church was the Dale Congregation, the Little Turkey Congregation and the Saude Congregation. The post office opened 1862 with George B. Arnold, postmaster, and closed 1864. See Saude, IA.
Dramen, IA
Dramen was a farm post office in Cedar Twp., Mitchell Co., IA. The first permanent settlers in the Township were four families of Norwegians including Ole Hansen Haugerud from Drammen, Norway who came from Wisconsin in the spring of 1853, with the Clausen party (see Saint Ansgar, IA). The post office opened 1877 at the home of Ole O. Haugerud. When the postmaster moved to Dakota 1880, the office was discontinued.
Eide, IA
Eide, post office in Pleasant Twp., Winneshiek Co., IA, established 1876 with Magnus Langland as postmaster. Possibly named for Nels Jakobson Eide who taught school at Big Canoe in the neighbouring township. The post office closed 1881 with mail to Locust Grove.
Flugstad, IA
Flugstad, railway station and post office established 1890 in Freedom Twp., Webster Co., IA, with Michael H. Murphy as postmaster. The settlement was named for Mathias O. Flugstad, the owner of the land on which the depot was located, he was born 1833 in Norway. The area was transferred 1896 to Hamilton Co. Discontinued 1913, superseded by R.D. from Duncombe.
Grytte, IA
Grytte, rural post office in Logan Twp., Winnebago Co., IA, established 1897 with Alf O. Bakken as postmaster and named for Arne Anderson Gryte who homesteaded here. Mr. Gryte was born 1836 in Vestre Slidre, Norway. Discontinued 1900 with mail to Vinje.
Gunder, IA
Post office in Marion Twp., Clayton Co., IA. It was named for Gunnel Svenson (1816-1879) from Uvdal, Norway. His first name was Gunder, which he Americanized to Gunnel. The post office operated from 1894 with Anton Gunderson postmaster, and was superseded 1913 by R.D. from Postville.
Hanson, IA
Hanson, post office in Silver Lake Twp., Worth Co., IA. Established February 1900, named by and for postmaster Svennung S. Hanson, he was born 1858 in Norway. Discontinued April 1900 with mail to Nordland.
Helgerson, IA
Helgerson was a short-lived post office in Richland Twp., Lyon Co., IA. All the Helgersons in Lyon Co. at the time hailed from Norway. The Helgerson, IA post office was in operation for just two months in the summer of 1872 with John Albertson as postmaster.
Hollandale, IA
Hollandale, post office in Grant TWP., Winnebago Co., IA. Established 1897, named by and for postmaster Sever O. Holland, b. 1859 in Wisconsin to Norwegian immigrant parents. Closed 1902 with mail to Woden.
Hustad, IA
Mona is a community in Otranto Twp., Mitchell Co., IA. The Mona post office opened 1862, and changed name to Hustad in 1895, with Jesse P. Farley postmaster. Hustad was named for Peter K. Everson, born Hustad, Hemsedal, Norway. The Hustad, IA post office closed in 1911, replaced by R.F.D. with mail to Lyle. The population was 34 at the 2010 Census. NFT 8/2022.
Isted, IA
Isted, post office in Pleasant Twp., Winneshiek Co., IA, named for one of the Istad families who had settled in this township, hailing from Voss, Norway. The post office was established 1890 with Halver P. Forde postmaster. The post office closed 1895 with mail to Locust.
Iverson, IA
Iverson, post office in Sioux Twp., Lyon Co., IA. Established 1887 with Will E. Clark postmaster. The Iversons in the area at this time were from Norway. The post office was re-named Granite same year after just four months, and closed 1937.
Krogness, IA
Krogness, post office in Richland Twp., Lyon Co., IA. Operated from 1879 with Mrs. Ida J. Simmons postmaster. Krogness is a Norwegian family name. The post office closed 1881 with mail to Beloit.
Lansrud, IA
Lansrud, post office in Silver Lake Twp., Worth Co., IA, established 1899, named by and for postmaster Endre A. Lansrud. He was born in Minnesota to Norwegian father (Landsrud, Vestre Slidre, Norway) and mother born in Iowa to Norwegian parents. Discontinued 1902.
Nansen, IA
Nansen, post office on Crane Creek, Jacksonville Twp., Chickasaw Co., IA. Fridtjof Nansen’s Fram expedition of 1893-1896 was an attempt by the Norwegian explorer to reach the geographical North Pole by harnessing the natural east–west current of the Arctic Ocean. Dr. Nansen became a world-class celebrity when being miraculously rescued after three years in the Arctic ice. The 1897 year of establishment makes it reasonable to believe that this post office was named for Fridtjof Nansen. The post office was established 1897 with Eugene P. Sinclair as postmaster. Discontinued 1904, superseded by R.D. from Kenyon.
Nanson, IA
Nanson, post office in Lewis Twp., Pottawattamie Co., IA. Norwegian polar explorer Fridtjof Nansen led the team that made the first crossing of the Greenland interior July-October 1888, traversing the island on cross-country skis. This was a remarkable achievement, and it is quite possible that the Nanson, IA post office was named for Dr. Nansen; it was established 10 Nov. 1888 with Johann D. Frohardt as postmaster. Changed name 1895 to Dumfries, closed 1931.
Nasheim, IA
Nasheim post office in Logan Twp., Winnebago Co., IA. In operation from 1889 and named for its postmaster Knut O. Nasheim. The Norwegian family name was Nesheim. The post office was discontinued from 1891. Vinje p.o. was established here 1894, see below.
Nasset, IA
Nasset, post office in Glenwood Twp., Winneshiek Co., IA. The post office opened 1892, named for postmaster Hogan O. Nasset. He was born 1864 to Norwegian immigrant parents, the family name was Nesset, from Sogn & Fjordane, Norway. The post office closed 1904 with mail to Washington Prairie.
New Bergen, IA
New Bergen, High Lake Twp., Emmet Co., IA. The High Lake p.o. had operated 1867-1872 with Halvor W. Halvorson as postmaster. It was replaced 1873 by the New Bergen p.o., with Joseph W. Lee as postmaster (born 1847 Norway). It was located about a mile northeast of Wallingford near Des Moines River. There were many Norwegian settlers in the area, and it was undoubtedly named for the city of Bergen, Norway. High Lake p.o. was re-established 1877 and discontinued 1878. New Bergen p.o. changed name 1882 to High Lake and was discontinued 1900.
Nora, IA
Nora, post office in Delana Twp., Humboldt Co., IA. Established 1875 with Ole H. Gullikson (Gullaxson and Gullixson are also seen) as postmaster, he was born 1835 Vardal, Oppland, Norway. The post office was most likely named for Norway. Discontinued 1882 with mail to Lotts Creek.
Nordness, IA
Nordness, village in Springfield Twp., Winneshiek Co., IA, established in the late 1860s as part of the Washington Prairie settlement which was the first settlement of Norwegian-Americans in the county. The Nordness post office opened 1885 with Edgar M. French as postmaster. Discontinued 1907 with mail to Decorah. The village grew and developed with the coming of the Rock Island railroad in 1872. When the railroad left Nordness in the late 1960s, the community had a rapid economic decline.
Norman, IA
Norman, Norway Twp., Winnebago Co., IA, a small Norwegian community and probably named for its township. The post office opened 1880 with Ole Scar as postmaster. Scarville, IA further west in this township was named for him. The post office closed 1914, superseded by R.D. from Emmons.
Northland, IA / Nordland, IA
Northland, Bristol Twp., Worth Co., IA. The post office was established 1879 as Northland with Simon Larson as postmaster in his house (born in Norway). It was presumably named by him. Name-change to Nordland after just three weeks later. Discontinued 1901, superseded by R.D. from Kensett.
Norway, IA
Norway is a city in Benton Co., IA. Norway was platted in 1863 by Osman Tuttle (born Osmund Endreson Totland in Hjelmeland, Norway). Tuttle donated five acres of ground to the railway company with the condition that the new town should bear the name of his native country. The post office opened 1863 as Florence, changed name 1880 to Norway with Byron B. McQuinn as postmaster, and it is still in operation. The population was 545 at the 2010 census. Norway R.F.D. was established 1902. Svein Andreassen writes about Norway, IA.
Olaf, IA
Olaf was a community in Wright Co., IA. Norwegian immigrants settled here from 1869, and Olaf is a Norwegian name. The Olaf, IA post office opened 1888 with James Johnson first postmaster, and it closed 1902. Re-established 14 months later, in 1903, with Michael Niemeyer postmaster, and it finally closed in 1911, superseded by R.D. from Belmond.
Orsland, IA
Orsland, today Rembrandt town in Buena Vista Co., IA. The Orsland post office was established 1900 with George Brandvold as postmaster. It was named for Barney (Bård) Nilsen Orsland, on whose farm the town was laid out in 1899. He was born 1851 in Skjold, Rogaland, Norway. The post office changed name 1901 to Rembrandt (same postmaster). The Rembrandt p.o. is still in operation.
Ottosen, IA
Ottosen is a city in Humboldt Co., IA. It is named for Christopher Ottosen, born 1858 in Haugesund, Norway. He came to America with his parents in 1867, he came to Iowa in 1894. Seeing the possibilities of the area he was instrumental in getting a post office named for him in 1895, he was the first postmaster of Ottosen and became its first mayor. The Ottosen, IA post office opened 1895, and it is still in operation. The population was 55 in the 2010 census. Ottosen R.F.D. operated from 1902.
Point Palestine, IA
Point Palestine, post office for the village of Palestine, in Palestine Twp., Story Co., IA. Palestine Twp. of Story Co. was founded and named by a group of Norwegians from Fjeldberg, Etne, and Skånevik, who left Illinois in 1854 looking for more land. There was already another Palestine post office in Johnson Co., IA, and thus this post office was named Point Palestine. It was in operation from 1861 with William B. Hopkins postmaster, and it closed 1869. NFT 5/2016.
Quandahl, IA
Quandahl is a ghost town in Waterloo Twp., Allamakee Co., IA. Nels J. and Julia Quandahl arrived in the early 1870s; they came from Kvanndal, Norway. Nels bought the country store, and under his management, it became one of the best businesses in the area. When Nels became postmaster, the community was named Quandahl. The Quandahl, IA post office opened 24 July 1877, temporarily closed 31 Aug to 18 Sep 1877, and closed in 1906, superseded by R.D. from Worcester. The entire village was auctioned in 1966. There is probably a family connection to Ole N Bue (Bue, ND). NFT 8/2015.
Rake, IA
Rake is a city in Winnebago Co., IA. Rake was founded by Arent Arentson Rake and the community is named after him. Mr. Rake was born 1858 in Loen, Norway. He operated a store and post office on his farm and since the town started, he had a general store, bank and was a carpenter and mayor of the town. The Rake, IA post office opened 1888, and it is still in operation. The population was 225 at the 2010 census.
Roland, IA
Roland is a city in Story Co., IA. Norwegian immigrants settled here in the 1850's. Norwegian-born first postmaster John Everson proposed the name Roland, easy to pronounce in both English and Norwegian, and easy to spell. The name originates from the Norwegian ballad "Roland and King Magnus". The city was incorporated in 1891. The Roland, IA post office opened 1870 and it is still in operation. The population was 1,284 at the 2010 census. Roland R.F.D. operated from 1902. NFT 5/2016.
Saint Ansgar, IA
St. Ansgar is a city and township in Mitchell Co., IA. St. Ansgar is named for the patron saint of Scandinavia, a French Benedictine monk who Christianized much of Denmark, Sweden and northern Germany between 830 and 865 A.D. Saint Ansgar is the site of First Lutheran Church of St. Ansgar, a pioneer Norwegian Lutheran Church founded in December 1853 by Rev. Claus Lauritz Clausen, who was commissioned by the Lutheran Church of Norway to form congregations for Norwegian immigrants in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. The Saint Ansgar, IA post office opened 1855 and it is still in operation. The population was 1,107 at the 2010 census. Saint Ansgar R.F.D. operated from 1904. NFT 6/2021.
Saint Olaf, IA
Saint Olaf is a city in Clayton Co., IA. St. Olaf was founded in 1872, and it was incorporated as a town in 1900. It was named by Norwegian settlers for Olaf II Haraldson (995-1030), later known as St. Olaf, King of Norway 1015-30 who consolidated the kingdom and aided the establishment of Christianity. He is the patron saint of Norway. The Saint Olaf, IA post office opened 1874 with Henry H. Storm first postmaster and is still in operation. The population was 108 at the 2010 census. Saint Olaf R.F.D. operated from 1902.
Sattre, IA
Sattre was a community in Pleasant Twp., Winneshiek Co., IA. A general store exists here today. The place was named for Ole Sattre, born Sætre, Voss, Norway. The Sattre, IA post office opened 1895 with Erik H. Forde as first postmaster, and it closed 1914 when replaced by rural delivery with mail to Decorah.
Saude, IA
In 1854, a Norwegian settlement had been established in Utica Twp., Chickasaw Co., IA, at what was then known as the Little Turkey River Settlement, and later to be named Saude by the Norwegian settlers. They came to this area in ox-drawn prairie schooners. Most of the settlers were born in Telemark, Norway, and Saude in Telemark is today called Sauherad. The Saude, IA post office opened 1877 and closed 1915, superseded by R.D. from Lowler. NFT 6/2023.
Scandia, IA
Scandia was a Rural Station under Madrid p.o., in Boone Co., IA, established 1910. Scandia is either short for Scandinavia, or it is derived from Skåne, Sweden. The Madrid p.o. had been established 1856 as Swede Point and renamed Madrid in 1882. The Carpenter brothers owned Scandia Coal Company which operated several coal mines in the area. The rural station closed 1918.
Scarville, IA
Scarville is a city in Winnebago Co., IA. Scarville was platted in 1899 and incorporated as a city in 1904. It was named for Ole Skar, a local landowner, he was from Sør-Aurdal, Norway and came to the USA 1866. The Scarville, IA post office opened 1899 with Thomas J. Folken as postmaster, and it is still in operation. The population was 72 at the 2010 census.
Sheldahl, IA
Sheldahl is a city in Polk, Boone, and Story counties, IA. The area was settled by 120 Norwegian immigrants from Lisbon, Illinois on June 7, 1855; including Osmond and Anna Sheldahl from Etne and five of their children. It was incorporated as a city in 1882. The Sheldahl, IA post office opened 1874 with Oley Nelson first postmaster, and it is still in operation. The population was 319 at the 2010 census. Sheldahl R.F.D. was established 1902. NFT 5/2016.
Steen, IA
Steen, a small community in Grant Twp., Winnebago Co., IA. Named for postmaster John J. Steen, born in Wisconsin to Norwegian parents. The post office opened 1892 and closed 1894 with mail to Buffalo Center.
Strand, IA
Strand, a Norwegian settlement in Lincoln Twp., Adams Co., IA. The Strand Lutheran congregation was organised 1875, with the Rev. Osmund Sheldahl as the first pastor; he preached in the Norwegian language. Rev. Sheldahl was born Skjeldal, Etne, Norway. Berthel P. Strand was pastor of Strand Lutheran Church 1888-1890 and was appointed postmaster when the Strand p.o. was established 1888. The post office was probably named for the settlement, and it is a coincidence that the pastor-postmaster carried the same name as the settlement. Discontinued 1907, superseded by R.D. from Nodaway.
Tenold, IA
Tenold, a small community in Brookfield Twp., Worth Co., IA. Named for postmaster Ole O. Tenold, the name coming from Tenål, Vik in Sogn, Norway. The post office was in operation from 1881 until discontinued 1906, superseded by R.D. from Northwood.
Thor, IA
Thor is a city in Humboldt Co., Iowa. It is a farming community which was originally built up chiefly by Scandinavian immigrants. Settlement of the township started in 1869 with the filing of a claim by Ole Willicksen, who was a native of Stavanger, Norway. It was named after the deity Thor in Old Norse mythology. The post office was established as Verbeck 1880 with Stewart Olson postmaster, he was born in Norway. Name-change to Thor was reported 1882, and it is still in operation. The population was 186 at the 2010 census. Thor R.F.D. was established 1903.
Thoten, IA
Thoten, post office in Glenwood Twp., Winneshiek Co., IA, established 1878 with Ole P. Rockswold as postmaster, He was born 1832 in Vestre Toten, Norway and named the post office for his home in Norway. Discontinued 1903 with mail to Nasset.
Tweten, IA
Tweten, post office in Newton Twp., Winnebago Co., IA, established 1900 Erich L. Thoe as postmaster (born 1873 in Iowa to Norwegian immigrant parents). The post office was named for the family of Ole O. Tweten (1840-1921) who emigrated to America from Øvre Tveitane, Nissedal, Telemark, Norway. Discontinued 1903, superseded by R.D. from Leland.
Vinje, IA
Vinje was a post office in Logan Twp., Winnebago Co., IA, on the same site as the former Nasheim p.o. The post office was established 1894 with David C. Gullickson as postmaster; he was baptised in Vinje church, Vossestrand, Norway. It closed 1905, superseded by R.D. from Scarville. See Nasheim, IA.
Voss, IA
Voss, post office in Jack Creek Twp., Emmet Co., IA. Established 1887 with Barney Rokne Knudson from Voss, Norway as postmaster; he named it for his home in Norway. Discontinued 1895 with mail to Swan Lake.
Woden, IA
Woden is a city in Hancock Co., Iowa, United States. Woden is an old English form for Odin, the principal god in Norse mythology. Woden was platted in 1898 and was incorporated as a city in 1904. That it grew was largely due to the fact that the Klondike railroad traveled from Garner to Titonka and Woden was along the way. The population was 229 at the 2010 census. The Woden, IA post office opened with 1888 Chas. H. McGrady postmaster. It is still in operation.

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Norway in America - Iowa