Helgøy
| Helgøy herred | |
|---|---|
| Former Municipality | |
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| Coordinates: 70°06′46″N 19°21′47″E / 70.11278°N 19.36306°ECoordinates: 70°06′46″N 19°21′47″E / 70.11278°N 19.36306°E | |
| Country | Norway |
| County | Troms |
| District | Nord-Norge |
| Municipality ID | NO-1935 |
| Adm. Center | Helgøya |
| Area | |
| • Total | 659 km2 (254 sq mi) |
| Created from | Karlsøy in 1886 |
| Merged into | Karlsøy in 1964 |
Helgøy is a former municipality in Troms county, Norway. It is located in the western part of the present-day municipality of Karlsøy. The municipality included the islands of Helgøya, Grøtøya, and Nordkvaløya, large parts of the nearby islands of Rebbenesøya, Ringvassøya, Vannøya, and many smaller surrounding islands. The main church for the municipality was Helgøy Church on the island of Helgøya.
The municipality is named after the island Helgøya (Old Norse: Helgøy). The name means den hellige øy or "the holy island" since the first element helgi means "sanctuary" or "holy" and the second part øy is identical for the word "island".
From ancient times, a Helgøy parish has existed. In 1838, municipal self-government was introduced in Norway (see formannskapsdistrikt), and Helgøy parish was put into the municipality of Karlsøy. Helgøy grew as a trading post under Christian Figenschou, but residents soon became dissatisfied with the municipal government based in Karlsøy.
The municipality of Helgøy was established on 1 September 1886 when the western part of the old municipality of Karlsøy was separated to form a municipality of its own. Helgøy had an initial population of 828. The two municipalities still had a common priest, sheriff, and doctor, but all these were residents in Karlsøy. From 1886 to 1892, Christian Figenschou was the mayor of the municipality. After 1886, residents began developing a local town center on Helgøya island, with Helgøy Church, a rectory, a farm, and flourishing trade. A small village grew up around the church site and a permanent school in the parish was added on Helgøya island. Steam ships regularly stopped here and a post office was established. After 1928, a doctor and sheriff were permanently located here.
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