Norway, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Norway, Illinois
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Hauge Lutheran Church in Norway
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 Norway, Illinois
Location in Illinois
Norway, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | LaSalle |
| Township | Mission |
| Elevation | 640 ft (200 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
60551 (Sheridan, Illinois)
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| Area codes | 815 & 779 |
Norway is a small community in Illinois, United States. It's located in LaSalle County, right by the Fox River. This area was one of the first places where people from Norway settled in America. Today, you can find the State of Illinois Norwegian Settlers Memorial here.
Contents
Discovering Norway's Past
Norway got its name from the many settlers who came from Norway. These brave pioneers created a community called the Fox River Settlement. This village became a hub for Norwegian immigrants starting in 1834.
Early Norwegian Settlers
Many of these settlers first lived in a place called Kendall in New York State. They had arrived in America in 1825 on a ship named the Restauration. A famous Norwegian-American leader named Cleng Peerson helped them move and start this new settlement in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.
Local Services in Norway
Norway is a small community, so it doesn't have its own local government. It also doesn't have its own fire department, school district, police, or postal services. Most of these services are provided by nearby towns. For example, postal addresses are usually for Sheridan or Serena, which are both close by.
Norwegian Heritage and Culture
Norway and the nearby town of Newark show the strong Scandinavian history of this part of Illinois. This area was also important for early missionary work by Mormons. This work later helped lead to Mormon missions in Scandinavia.
Norwegian Settlers Memorial
Just south of Norway, there's a special memorial dedicated to the Norwegian immigrants. It includes a small park and a cemetery. There's even a plaque from King Olav V of Norway! This memorial celebrates the Fox River Settlement, which was the first permanent Norwegian-American settlement in the Midwest.
Norsk Museum: A Glimpse into History
About 9 miles northeast of Ottawa, Illinois, you can visit the Norsk Museum. This museum is in an old Norwegian Lutheran Church that was used for worship from 1848 to 1918. The Norsk Museum teaches visitors about the Scandinavian settlers who founded the Norway, Illinois, area in the 1800s.
The Historic Norway Store
Norway is very proud of its history, and the Norway Store is a great example. This store has been in the same spot for over 100 years! The Borchsenius family, who first opened the store, still owns it today. They also own a plant nursery and other land nearby.
