Vågmästaregården

Vågmästaregården (The estate of the Scale Master).

Address: Mellanbrogatan 2
Block: Vågmästaregården 1

The estate was built on orders from mayor Anders Åberg in 1714. It survived one of Åmål's great fires in 1777, mainly due to its slate roof.

During the 19th century, Anders Åberg was the city's most renowned man in power. By obtaining his Royal Majesty's permission to to let Åmål establish a scale at the customs and unloading location at the river Byälven's outlet in Vänern, he managed to solve the conflict between Karlstad and Åmål surrounding the shipping operations at Byälven. A dispute that had been going on since Åmål was founded in 1643.

The Crown Prince of Hessen, who later became King Fredrik I, attended the house two years after its construction was completed. This was after the Prince's right thigh had been injured by gunfire during a battle at the Norwegian border. The Crown Prince stayed at “Vågmästaregården” for 4 weeks in March of 1716, with his wife, Ulrika Eleonora, who stayed by his side the entire time.

The estate “Vågmästaregården” was named after Petter Larsson (1823-1914). He was the Scale Master and City Council Chairman. He was also an industrialist, ship owner and a well-known personality in Åmål during the 1900s.

It was declared a historical monument in 1978.