History of Solvang

SOLVANG

Solvang means “Sunny Field” a truly fitting name given the climate and beauty of the Santa Ynez Valley.  Solvang has marked many milestones in it’s growth and development over the years, some of the more notable;

1911 FOUNDING

Solvang was founded in 1911 by Danes Gregersen, Hornsyld, Nordentoft and Land Agent Mads Freese.

1914 ATTERDAG COLLEGE COMPLETED

Atterdag College, a cornerstone of the Danish founders and Settlers vision for their Colony was completed, (The Solvang Lutheran Home/Santa Ynez Valley Recovery Residence stands on the site today.  Atterdag College operated as a Danish Folk School, a concept that brought young people together in a learning environment, which emphasized their native heritage and culture, history, music, folk dancing, gymnastics, etc. Attendance was not intended to give educational credit, nor to make preparations for a trade or profession, rather a learning bridge for young people from all walks of life.

1918 SOLVANG WATER COMPANY

Formed to develop and operate a water system for the Town.

1919 EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE

The first trek, in later years dragging a piano along, the Lutheran Church Congregation held an Easter Sunrise Service on the top of Alisal Hill, known as El Monte Calzada, named after an early day Old Mission Santa Ines Priest. The annual service was held into the 1950’s.  For many years a large white concrete cross graced the site.

1921 SOLVANG BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

The Solvang Business Association, in addition to it’s business interest, was also the “grass roots” Town Government.  In later years became the Solvang Chamber of Commerce.
The Solvang Business Association was instrumental in securing many community improvements, however, it’s most significant was to help shape Solvang’s future as Danish Capital of American in promoting Community Events and for all commercial structures in the downtown business district to incorporate Northern European Architecture.

1925 SANTA YNEZ VALLEY NEWSPAPER/SOLVANG LIGHTING DISTRICT

Santa Ynez Valley News the first Valley Newspaper was published and is still going strong outlasting several new publications that appeared from time to time.
The Valley received electrical power and the Solvang lighting District provided for a street light system.

1928 BETHANIA LUTHERAN CHURCH

Bethania Lutheran Church, a splendid replica of rural churches in Denmark, was dedicated and in the 1940’s was outfitted with it’s beautiful hand carved appointments – Altar, Pulpit, Baptismal Font, etc. Prior to construction of the church the congregation worshiped at Atterdag College and it’s adjoining Gym Hall.

1931 SOLVANG FIRE DEPARTMENT

Solvang Volunteer Fire Department organized with a small garage type building located downtown on Copenhagen Drive, as it’s first Fire Station housing one small fire truck. Moved into a new multi-bay station on Oak Street in 1969.  The Fire Department has been the pride of the Community.

1936 VETERANS’ MEMORIAL BUILDING

A beautiful structure, built in the Great Depression Era as a governmental project to provide employment, has served Town and Valley Gatherings and houses both American Legion and Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Veteran organizations.

1936/1976 DANISH ROYALTY VISITS

Solvang was honored to host Danish Royalty, King Frederik 1X in 1939 and his Daughter Queen Margrethe in 1976.

1946 SATURDAY EVENING POST

Solvang progressed as many small towns in America.  However, that changed following World War II when the first Northern European Architecture began to appear and Solvang’s destiny as the Danish Capital of America was really launched when the SATURDAY EVENING POST magazine ran a major photo and story spread on Solvang, it’s heritage, customs, traditions and early local Danish Days Celebrations.

1951 SOLVANG MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

Solvang was in need of a public Sewer System which led to the organization of the Solvang Sanitary District in the 1940’s, however had no financial means of providing public utility infrastructure.  The Sanitary District was responsible for creation of the Solvang Municipal Improvement District, affectionally know as S.M.I.D. was granted all of the basic authority of an Incorporated City with the exception of Building, Planning and Zoning functions and utilized much of that authority, in addition to water and sewer, for street improvements, public parking facilities, participated in Hans Christian Andersen Park acquisition and development, etc.  Acquired it’s first office at the southeast corner of Copenhagen Drive and Second Street and in 1969 constructed it’s permanent home at 1644 Oak Street, serving today as Solvang City Hall.

1968 FIRST TRAFFIC SIGNAL

Installed at the corner of Alisal Road and Mission Drive. In later years three additional signals have been added on Mission Drive at Fifth Street, Atterdag Road and Alamo Pintado Road.

1973 SOLVANG FESTIVAL THEATER

Completion of the outdoor open air Solvang Festival Theater, home to the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts and many special events.

1976 SISTER CITY AALBORG DENMARK

Solvang strengthened it’s ties to Denmark when Solvang Aalborg formalized a Sister City relationship.

1985 SOLVANG INCORPORATED AS A GENERAL LAW CITY

Solvang Incorporated as a General Law City to be able to exert local control over those governmental functions still controlled by the County of Santa Barbara, such as land use planning and zoning and to retain the income generated by Solvang’s Tourist Industry rather than getting back insufficient funds from the County to promote tourism, beautification, hospitality, and to maintain it’s streets and roads, etc.

1999 MISSION SANTA INES (Founded 1804)

Mission Santa Ines is not only an important link to the past, it is a live, viable and working Mission.  On January 20, 1999 the Secretary Of The United States Department Of the Interior designated the Mission a National Historic Landmark –It is also one of Solvang’s Crown Jewels.