Øverland, Bærum

Øverland is an area in Bærum, Norway. Named after the local farm, Øverland is also known as a recreational area and for its arboretum. It has lent its name to the river Øverlandselva.

The area is located north of Haslum, west of Hosle and south of Bærumsmarka.

The river Øverlandselva runs past Øverland farm, whence the river got its name. A bridge over it was mentioned as early as 1594 by Jens Nilssøn, and it is considered a part of the so-called Pilgrim's Route. The river continues south through Haslum before turning southwest near Løkeberg, ultimately emptying into the lake Engervannet at Blommenholm. The southernmost section has formerly been called Løkebergelva.

The name of the area is taken from the farm Øverland. Historic spellings of the name include Efraland and Øfraland, used around the fourteenth century, as well as Offuerlandt (1578), Øffueland (1594) and Øffverland (1723). The farm was owned by the Church of Norway. Following the Reformation of 1536, parts of it was overturned to the Crown, whereas two other parts were owned by Oslo Hospital and Nesøygodset. Later splits and consolidations followed, until the last consolidation in 1912, when the farm reached its former size. In 1943 it was split again, into Østre and Vestre (Eastern and Western) Øverland. Vestre Øverland was taken over by the Royal Norwegian Society for Development.

In 1826 the farm was registered as having 7 horses, 28 cattle and 32 sheep. In 1939 this number had risen to 9 horses and 69 cattle; sheep had been discontinued but ducks and chickens had been added. The farm is also used for fruit cultivation. In older times limestone extraction and burning was conducted northeast of the farm, at Steinskogen. Limestone burning is an old characteristic of Bærum municipality, and a lime kiln is the inspiration for its coat of arms. Lime from Øverland was used at Akershus Fortress in 1629 and 1661. Around the same time, the farm also operated a nearby sawmill.

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