Rørvik, Norway

Located on the central coast of Norway, Rørvik is a historic communications centre for all shipping traffic. Fishing has been an important source of income here for hundreds of years. When steamships began coming at the beginning of the 19th century, Rørvik transformed into a natural port for those crossing the open stretch of sea called Folda. There was a great need for weather forecasting, fish sightings and communication, so a telegraph station was established here.

In 1862 it was decided that Rørvik should be developed into a local port for ships sailing along the coast. At the time, there were only four property owners. However, this was deemed sufficient to provide board for boat travel. Rørvik was a port for the Nordlandsruten from 1863 and the Hurtigruten from 1893. The ships carrying posts were served by rowing boats that went out to the ship anchored in the middle of the sound. At the same time, the merchant Johan Berg established an enterprise at Rørvik, and “Bergsgården” became a centre of Rørvik’s further growth. The main building was located to be visible for sailors and prominent visitors. The store sold fishing gear, equipment, and consumer goods.

The post office and postmaster’s quarters were built, and as early as 1876, the community had a telegraph office, largely due to the frequent shipping traffic. A national telephone exchange was installed in 1896. During the years following 1860 and up to the turn of the century, Rørvik grew considerably and gradually became an important communications centre on the coast of Nord-Trøndelag.