Named by many magazines as one of the 10 most beautiful small towns in the Western United States, Solvang’s rich history and culture predates even when the Danish-Americans traveled first from Iowa to the Golden State of California. Solvang, California is unique in that there is no other community in North America that is so well a representative of the country of Sweden. This is not just an immigration standard that happened to come along with them and loads of Swedish immigrants; this is more of a planned community in which Sweden would be well represented with the influence of American culture and society. The history of Solvang began when a group of Danish-Americans decided to purchase 9000 beautiful acres of the former Rancho San Carlos de Jonata track of land and situated their new community right next to the old mission, In order to preserve and even promote the Danish culture, this group of Danish Americans built a Danish elementary school and a place of worship. The goal of Solvang California was to educate and to impress upon every visitor who comes upon this quite little hamlet in central California, with wide-eyed amazement and leave with a full belly and a full heart and mind of memories.
Movies and Meatballs
To ring the memory bells of many movie buffs, the town of Solvang, California was the location for the film Sideways and has been celebrated as one of the best regions to grow the fertile grape. Why is it that the grape grows so better here than anywhere else in the United States and maybe the world? That comes from the fertile soil in the temperate climate that is so agreeable to the growth process of a grape. Although it takes much more than a grape and some good soil and oceanic breeze to produce one of the best wines in the country, this is where Solvang, California has an advantage over some of the other finer locations of Napa Valley. Solvang boasts alternate architecture, old world craftsmanship and traditional windmills, much as one would find in the country of Denmark! The industrial machine that drives Solvang is tourism. Hands down tourism is 60% of every dollar that comes into the town limits and is well earned with a magnificent showing of European lifestyle and culture. The Atterdag College was opened in 1914 and remained open until 1970 and was then converted to the Solvang Lutheran Home for the elderly residents. This just goes to show that the Danish are so acclaimed with renewable resources and fit quite nicely into the green movement that is now going on throughout the world. Society needs more Solvang California residences.
Swedish Immigrants Big Boost to American Culture
Solvang, California is a fine example of what Swedish folk realize is the important aspect of community. The Swedish immigrants respected the beauty of the land and made certain that the overall ‘soul of the earth’ was taken care of to an enormous degree. A visit to this centralized location of California is one that will be recalled forever.