1809
population about 2,000
The Treaty of Hamina, signed after the Russo-Swedish war of
1808–1809. As the result of a lost war, Finland was
separated from Sweden and became an autonomous Grand Duchy
within the Russian empire for over a hundred years. The most
significant battles of the war were fought in Ostrobothnia.
Oulu was one of the most important service bases for the
army.
1822
population about 3,300
Fire destroyed most of the wooden buildings in Oulu.
According to one source, 330 houses were burned to the
ground, with only 65 houses surviving the fire. The
following year, the population decreased by 260 people.
1829
population about 4,100
The first newspaper published in Oulu was in Finnish,
despite the fact that educated people were mostly Swedish
speaking until the end of the century. Oulun Wiikko-Sanomat
(Oulu Weekly Gazette) was first published in 1829 by Evert
Barck, and it was the third Finnish-language newspaper in
the country.
1832
population about 4,230
The church (Oulu Cathedral), damaged by fire, was rebuilt on
the old stone walls. The new Empire-style church was
designed by architect C. L. Engel. The tower was completed
in 1844. The following year, the city commissioned a clock
for the tower from Ilmajoki-based master watchmaker, Johan
Yli-Könni.
1836–1837
population about 4,300
The first magazine published in Finland, Mehiläinen (Bee),
was printed in Oulu, at the Barck printers. The magazine’s
journalist, Elias Lönnrot, had by then moved to Kajaani,
having lived in Oulu from 1832 to 1833.
1854
population about 5,800
The Crimean War was fought between Russia and Turkey. The
Turkish alliance included France, Sardinia and England. The
war reached Oulu at the beginning of June 1854, when an
English naval detachment docked on the Oulu roadside. The
people in Oulu did not engage in armed resistance, but
surrendered and provided the Englishmen the provisions they
demanded. The city was not burned down. However, the English
did cause some damage when they set fire to several trading
ships, including ones under construction, and granaries
filled with goods.
1863
population about 6,630
The Veljekset Åström (Brothers Åström) leather factory was
founded in Myllytulli. The factory and its production range
soon expanded. They began manufacturing mainly base leather,
but other products were soon added to the selection,
including upper leather, machine belts, shoes, briefcases
and harnesses. By the end of the century, the company name
had been changed to Veljekset Åström Osakeyhtiö (Brothers
Åström Ltd.) and it employed nearly 600 people. The company
exported mainly to Russia and continued to grow.
Today (in 2000), the old factory buildings are used by
various organisations, including the Oulu Art Museum and the
Oulu Adult Education Centre’s Hotel and Restaurant programme,
which has educational facilities and teaching restaurants in
the old buildings.
1869
population about 6,870
Bridges across the River Oulujoki through the Linnasaari and
Raatinsaari islands were completed.
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