Fågelsta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fågelsta
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Fågelsta in 1992
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 Fågelsta
Location in Östergötland
Fågelsta
Location in Sweden
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| Country | Sweden |
| Province | Östergötland |
| County | Östergötland County |
| Municipality | Motala Municipality |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.55 km2 (0.21 sq mi) |
| Population
(31 December 2017)
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| • Total | 297 |
| • Density | 557/km2 (1,440/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Fågelsta is a small town, or "locality," in Sweden. It's located in Motala Municipality within Östergötland County. In 2017, about 297 people lived here. Fågelsta is found about 9 kilometers (or 5.6 miles) south of the city of Motala.
Contents
A Look at Fågelsta's Past
Fågelsta started growing because of a new railway line. This train line connected Hallsberg and Mjölby. It began running trains in 1873.
The Old Railway Station
Fågelsta was once home to a railway station. This station was an important stop. Sadly, the station building was taken down in 1981.
The Heritage Railway
Today, Fågelsta is one end of a special old railway. It's called the Wadstena Fogelsta Järnväg. This "narrow-gauge" railway has tracks that are closer together than usual. The other end of this historic line is in Vadstena. This railway was once part of a bigger system called Mellersta Östergötlands Järnväg.
Shops and Services Long Ago
In the past, Fågelsta had many useful businesses. There were two grocery stores where people bought food. Both stores also had pumps to get gasoline. The town even had a hotel with a dining room and a café. All these places were busy because of the railway.
Over time, most of these old buildings were taken down. This happened especially when the main railway line was made bigger. However, one building that used to be a Konsum grocery store is still standing today.
Community Life in the Mid-1900s
Around the middle of the 20th century, Fågelsta was a busy little town. It had a tailor who made clothes. There was also a cobbler who fixed shoes. A small bank office was open a few evenings each week.
The town also had a taxi service. A local person worked as a representative for the government. This person was a bit like a sheriff. Fågelsta even had its own fire station. It had two fire engines and was run by volunteers from the town.
Local Businesses and Industry
Fågelsta has been home to some interesting businesses over the years. These companies helped the town grow and provided jobs.
Fransson Brothers' Workshop
In 1934, two brothers, Bröderna Fransson, started a business. They began by making wheelbarrows and carts. Later, in the 1960s, they also started making trailers. These trailers are still made today, though in a different place. They are known by the name Fogelstasläpet.
The Bicycle Shop
There was also a bicycle workshop in Fågelsta. This shop sold bicycles, radios, and later, even TV sets. The inside of this old bicycle workshop is now on display. You can see it at the Motoring Museum in Motala.
A Growing Transport Company
In 1925, a small company started in Fågelsta. It was a freight forwarding company, meaning it moved goods. It began with just two cars. Over the years, this company grew a lot. It now has about 60 vehicles! In 2012, the company moved its main office to Mjölby.
