Laddar...
Western Åskagshyttan
Before 1641: Åskagshyttan
“Lake Yngen may rightly be called the cradle of the iron industry of Värmland. Around its shores, already in the Middle Ages, there was a ring of ironworks that all obtained their ore from the Persberg mine. From there it was easy to transport the ore in summer by boat and in winter across the ice to the different furnaces.
Before the 16th century these consisted of Yngshyttan, Bornshyttan, Torskebäcken, Gammalkroppa, and Nyhyttan, as well as Saxåhyttan, located somewhat further east of Lake Yngen.
When Åskagshyttan was established during the 16th century, the circle of ironworks was completed and remained so in the future.”
(from the book “The Åskag Family” by Löfström*)*
Establishment and Operation
Åskagshyttan was established in 1560. When the last blast was made at the eastern furnace in 1860, iron production at Lake Åskagen had continued for 300 years.
In the General Mining Reports for 1656, the following description is given:
“Now nearly 96 years old. Small stream with little water flow, fairly good forest, no arable land, small meadow; ore is taken from the Persberg mine, one mile by water.”
Miners and Ownership
There are no records of who originally established the furnace. The first miner mentioned in written sources is Olof Sigfridsson.
Åskagshyttan was the smallest and youngest of the ironworks around Lake Yngen, but was remarkable in that it remained in the hands of the same family for about 250 years.
Operations at the western furnace ceased in 1704, after which production was concentrated at the eastern furnace.
The Forge at Åskagen
At the beginning of the 17th century, a hammer forge was also operating at Åskagen. Like many other small forges, it was forbidden due to insufficient production.
In the mining reports of 1637, the forge is recorded as abandoned and condemned.
The Eastern Furnace
In 1641, Sigfrid Olofsson, son of Olof Sigfridsson, built a new furnace east of Lake Åskagen. From then on there were two furnaces: the Western Åskag Furnace and the Eastern Åskag Furnace.
The eastern furnace is first mentioned in the mining reports of 1656, which state:
“A man named Sigfrid Olofsson in Åskagen has built a separate blast furnace, as there is little water power at the original furnace, only 1/16 mile from the old Åskagen.”
