Norge, Virginia
Bergh felt that the availability of good farm land at reasonable prices and the temperate climate in eastern Virginia would be attractive to Scandinavians who had settled in northern and Midwestern states, as he was aware of their problems with the difficult winters there. He printed and distributed brochures in English, Norwegian, and German describing the climates and opportunities in Virginia, purchasing a home for his own family in 1896.
Beginning in 1898, Norwegians, Swedes and Danes came to Norge from the Midwest, especially the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and North Dakota. Most arrived by train on the C&O, whose nearest station was located at Toano, several miles west. Assisted by Jens B. Jenson, a town was laid out which included homes, two stores, a church, blacksmith shop, a sawmill, cabinet shop, and a grist mill. After some debate, it was named Norge. In 1908, the railroad built a station at Norge.
Carl M. Bergh's son, Alfred Bergh, established the Bergh Hotel. Later generations of many other early families now populate Norge, nearby Croaker, and western James City County, as well as the Lighfoot area which includes land in both James City and York Counties.
Read more about this topic: Carl Martin Bergh
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