Selfoss

Selfoss (ˈsɛlˌfɔsː) is a town in southern Iceland on the banks of the Ölfusá river. It is the seat of the municipality of Árborg. The Icelandic Route 1 runs through the town on its way between Hveragerði and Hella. The town is a centre of commerce and small industries with a population of around 10,000 (2023), making it the largest residential area in South Iceland. Selfoss was settled by Þórir Ásason sometime after 1000, but the Sagas of Icelanders mention that Ingólfur Arnarson was there during the winter of 873-74, under the Ingólfsfjall mountain, which is west of the Ölfusá river. In the summer of 1891, due to the lobbying of Tryggvi Gunnarsson, a member of the Alþing, the first suspension bridge was built over the Ölfusá. That was a major breakthrough in Icelandic infrastructure. The current bridge was built in 1945 after the original structure collapsed. The cabin built to house workers constructing the bridge is the oldest building in Selfoss, and was named Tryggvaskáli in honor of Tryggvi for his efforts to construct the bridge. After the construction the building was used for travellers' accommodation and dining, until 1974. The building was also the site of Selfoss's first school, telephone exchange and bank. The town of Selfoss developed as a result of the bridge, as the bridge made the town a logical centre for services for the surrounding agricultural region. In 1900, the town was home to only 40 inhabitants, but by 1950 the population had climbed to around 1,000. In 1931, the dairy firm Mjólkurbú Flóamanna and general store Kaupfélag Árnesinga were established. The two companies were the main employers in the area for several decades. During World War II the British stationed troops at Selfoss to guard the strategic bridge. Today, with more efficient transportation, Selfoss benefits from its proximity to the Reykjavík area and is predicted to grow further in the coming years as businesses and residents relocate to the town because of lower property prices.