Hälleforsnäs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hälleforsnäs
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Hälleforsnäs Train Station
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 Hälleforsnäs
Location in Södermanland
Hälleforsnäs
Location in Sweden
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| Country | Sweden |
| Province | Södermanland |
| County | Södermanland County |
| Municipality | Flen Municipality |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.44 km2 (0.94 sq mi) |
| Population
(31 December 2020)
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| • Total | 1,615 |
| • Density | 661.9/km2 (1,714/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Hälleforsnäs is a small town in Sweden. It is located in Flen Municipality, which is part of Södermanland County. In 2020, about 1,600 people lived here.
This village is about 15 km (9 miles) from Flen. It is also 32 km (20 miles) from Eskilstuna. Katrineholm is 40 km (25 miles) away. Sweden's capital, Stockholm, is about 120 km (75 miles) to the south-west.
Contents
A Town Built on Iron: The Hälleforsnäs Foundry
Hälleforsnäs was once a busy industrial center. Its heart was a large iron foundry. A foundry is a factory where metal is melted and shaped. This foundry operated for over 350 years. It finally closed down in the early 1990s.
From Cannons to Cookware: The Foundry's Journey
The Hälleforsnäs foundry started in the 1600s. Back then, it made cannons for the Swedish army. These cannons were used in wars across Europe.
In the early 1900s, the foundry changed its focus. It stopped making military items. Instead, it began producing things for homes. This included radiators and stoves.
Between 1920 and 1980, the company mainly made pipes. They also produced other plumbing supplies. These items were used in buildings everywhere.
Peak Production and Closure
The foundry was at its busiest in the 1960s. More than a thousand people worked there. Many others had jobs in related businesses nearby. It was a very important place for the town.
In the 1980s, a company called Electrolux bought the foundry. They started making cooking plates there. However, Electrolux stopped operations in 1990. After that, some employees bought the foundry.
Today, the area around the old foundry is still active. But it is not as busy as it once was. It used to be the main focus of the entire village.
Hälleforsnäs Today: A Cultural Hub
The old foundry building has found a new purpose. It is now a center for local artists. Hälleforsnäs has become a cultural heart for the Sörmland region.
You can find a restaurant there. There is also a seasonal herbal store. The Jürss dairy company is also on site. They make and sell award-winning cheese.
Understanding Elections in Hälleforsnäs
Hälleforsnäs has a unique history with elections. Because it was an industrial town, many workers lived here. This made it a strong area for the Swedish Social Democratic Party. This party often supports workers' rights.
The town was known as the most left-leaning district in Flen Municipality. This helped the Social Democrats win many votes in the whole municipality.
However, things have changed over time. Fewer people live in Hälleforsnäs now. Also, fewer people vote. Many people moved to bigger cities in the late 1900s. This caused the number of votes cast here to drop.
Between 1994 and 2018, the Social Democrats' support in the village decreased. At the same time, the Sweden Democrats party gained more votes. This shows how voting patterns can change as towns evolve.
