Korgen Municipality


Korgen is a former municipality in Nordland county, Norway. The municipality existed from 1918 until its dissolution in 1964. The municipality included the central part of what is now Hemnes Municipality, centered around the river Røssåga. It was located in the traditional district of Helgeland. The administrative centre was the village of Korgen where Korgen Church is located.
Prior to its dissolution in 1964, the municipality was the 161st largest by area out of the 689 municipalities in Norway. Korgen Municipality was the 294th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of about 3,105. The municipality's population density was and its population had increased by 9.7% over the previous 10-year period.

General information

The municipality of Korgen was established on 1 July 1918 when it was separated from the large Hemnes Municipality. Initially, the municipality had 1,369 residents. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1964, Korgen Municipality was merged with Hemnes Municipality, the southern district of Sør-Rana Municipality, and the far northern part of Hattfjelldal Municipality to create a new, larger Hemnes Municipality.

Name

The municipality is named after the old Korgen farm since the first Korgen Church was built there. The name is probably derived from the word korga which means "extension". This is likely referring to the location of the farm, on a long, wide peninsula surrounded on three sides by the river Røssåga.

Churches

The Church of Norway had one parish within Korgen Municipality. At the time of the municipal dissolution, it was part of the Hemnes prestegjeld and the Indre Helgeland prosti in the Diocese of Sør-Hålogaland.
Parish Church nameLocation of the churchYear built
KorgenKorgen ChurchKorgen1863

Geography

The highest point in the municipality was the tall mountain Oksskolten, on the border with Sør-Rana Municipality.

Government

While it existed, Korgen Municipality was responsible for primary education, outpatient health services, senior citizen services, welfare and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads and utilities. The municipality was governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor was indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council. The municipality was under the jurisdiction of the Hålogaland Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

The municipal council of Korgen Municipality was made up of 17 representatives that were elected to four-year terms. The tables below show the historical composition of the council by political party.

Mayors

The mayor of Korgen Municipality was the political leader of the municipality and the chairperson of the municipal council. Here is a list of people who held this position:
  • 1918–1919: J. Petersen
  • 1919–1925: Martin Jenssen
  • 1925–1931: Ludvig Jakobsen
  • 1932–1935: Jens Bech Skogan
  • 1935–1942: Svend Kibsgaard
  • 1943–1944: Nils Olaus Rydså
  • 1945–1945: Svend Kibsgaard
  • 1946–1955: Ivar Helbekkmo
  • 1955–1963: Ole Brygfjeld