Riihimäki's sixteen decades

1850th century 

Overview

In the middle of the decade, the Crimean War takes place between Russia and the Western powers. Agriculture suffers from several years of poor harvests. After several years of discussion and debate, it is decided to start developing the transport network of the Grand Duchy of Finland based on railways, and construction work on the first track from Helsinki to Hämeenlinna begins in 1857. The theory of natural selection published by the Englishman Charles Darwin at the end of the decade accelerates the change in the worldview.

Local

Around the meeting point of the borders of the villages of Kara, Ryttylä and Herajoki, the owner of Hausjärvi, there is an almost uninhabited marshy area with only a few crofts from the Kara and Ryttylä manors. After the construction of the railway begins, a workstation will be established on the site and the track builders will be accommodated. The station will be named Riihimäki.

At the end of 1859, there were about 1200 inhabitants.

In the cityscape

• the so-called Koivisto cottage, Töyrykatu 2 (approx. 1850)
• master builder's house, Maantie 10b (1857/1920s)
• two railway construction barracks, Maantie 10a (1858)
• railway officials' residence (later railway engineer's house, now the city museum), Öllerinkatu 3 (1858/1960).

In literature

• Tavaststjerna: In hard times.

1860th century

Overview

Gap years plague Finland throughout the decade. The worst disappears in 1867, followed by a widespread famine. Railway service from Helsinki to Hämeenlinna begins on March 17.3.1862, 1867, and at the end of 1863 a decision is made to start building a track from Riihimäki to St. Petersburg. The development of society accelerates after the assembly of the Land Diets in 1809, for the first time since 1883. By 1865, by the emperor's decree issued in the same year, Finnish will be the official language alongside Swedish. The Municipal Act enters into force and municipalities are established in XNUMX. A public school is established in Finland, and freedom of business is established. The Poles rebelled against the Russian Emperor.

Local

The population of the Riihimäki agglomeration is still concentrated on the so-called Voudinmäki above the station, but there are some buildings further along the Herajoki roads and on the railway line north of the station. The business structure is diversifying as more and more merchants and craftsmen move to the town. The railway station is built in 1868, when the construction of locomotive sheds also begins. Train service between Riihimäki and Lahti starts on November 1.11.1869, XNUMX.

At the end of 1869, there were 1336 inhabitants.

In the cityscape

• the so-called Riihimäki mansion (Karan Anttila's main building, later e.g. pharmacy), Maantie 3 (ca. 1868)
• the so-called long barracks, Maantie 15 (end of the 1860s)
• the south arch of the locomotive stables (1869).

In literature

• Tavaststjerna: In hard times.

1870th century

Overview

Finland is gradually recovering from the dead years of the previous decade. In this decade, our country's largest paper industry is born, the sale of forests brings wealth to the countryside, and the standard of living rises. Traffic connections improve: on September 11.9.1870, 1876, traffic opens on the entire Riihimäki–Petersburg railway, and in XNUMX, the railway from Turku to Tampere and Hämeenlinna. In addition, private tracks to Hanko and Porvoo are being completed. A line from Riihimäki to Turku is being planned. The language battle is intensifying. Elsewhere in Europe, the war between Germany and France leads to the unification of Germany as an empire. The phonograph and light bulb are born at the end of the decade.

Local

Asemaataajama's inhabited area stretches along the roadside almost to Kulmala. The opening of the Turku–Tampere–Hämeenlinna railway continues to increase train traffic in Riihimäki. At the end of the decade, the railway national school is established, which is the first school in Riihimäki. Let's open a hotel opposite the station.

At the end of 1879, there were 1628 inhabitants.

In the cityscape

• Turku Barracks (the overnight accommodation for the crews of the Turku trains, then the depot office, now the so-called Yellow House), Pohjoinen Asemakatu 5 (1876)
• the north arch of the locomotive stables (1876).

In literature

• Järnefelt: Brothers.

1880th century

Overview

Thanks to the attraction of industry, urbanization begins to accelerate. The transport network continues to develop. The Finnish language becomes an official language alongside Swedish in Finland in 1883. By the end of the decade, the railways reach Vaasa, Oulu and Kuopio.

Local

The center of Asemakylä has receded from Voudinmäki and the station to the present-day Hämeenaukio and Torikatu. The market is located between the current Maantie and Rajapolu. The services will be diversified: a pharmacy will be established, among other things. The importance of the Riihimäki railway station continues to grow, and in 1881 a railway telegraph workshop is established next to the station. At the end of the decade, the first omens of industry are seen, when a peat foam factory starts on the outskirts of Patastenmäki in 1889. Riihimäki becomes the workplace of Hausjärvi's namesake.

At the end of 1889, there were 1864 inhabitants.

In the cityscape

• hotel (later headquarters of Paloheimo Oy) (1880)
• railway national school (now RRS music hall) (1880)
• the oldest parts of the telegraph workshop (now VR Oy's social facilities) (1881(1907/1929)
• The oldest parts of the later Rautatieläinen talo (now the so-called Punainen talo) (1881).

In literature

• Järnefelt: Brothers.

1890th century

Overview

Civil society gets stronger and at the end of the decade leads, among other things, to the organization of the labor movement into a party. The decade is the heyday of Karelianism. Finland's relationship with Russia is gradually tightening as the mother country strives to connect the Grand Duchy even more closely with the rest of the empire. The trend is concretized in the manifesto of February 1899. The railways from Viipur via Sortavala to Joensuu, from Haapamäki to Jyväskylä and from Tampere to Pori are being completed.

Local

The settlement is expanding and densifying also on the northern side of the track. Other corner municipalities, for example Koivistonmäki, are already densely populated. Riihimäki is starting to take shape as an administrative center, as the districts of Vanaja, Janakkala and Hausjärvi are starting to be held here. The municipal doctor moves to Riihimäki in 1896. The first associations of the station village are founded, such as the temperance society Toivosäde (1891) and the volunteer fire brigade (1893).

At the end of 1899, there were 2479 inhabitants.

In the cityscape

• railway doctor's house, Maantie 4 (approx. 1890)
• Tanner Fredrik Vilkman's house, Paloheimonkatu 5 (ca. 1890)
• the central part of the locomotive sheds, e.g. water tower (1892).

In literature

• Järnefelt: Brothers.

 

1900th century

Overview

At the beginning of the decade, Russia's grip on Finland tightens. After Russia suffered a defeat in the war against Japan in 1904–1905, a revolution and strike movement began throughout the empire, which forced the emperor to make concessions. In Finland, the application of the February 1899 manifesto is suspended for three years. During that time, a unicameral parliament will be created in the Grand Duchy. Otherwise, the development of the previous decades will continue: industrial plants will be established, the railway network will be extended to Kajaani and Rovaniemi and along the southern coast from Helsinki to Turku. The cooperative movement is starting to take its place in business life.

Local

The industrialization of Riihimäki gains momentum when HG Brander (Paloheimo) establishes a sawmill here in 1904. In 1907, he builds a horse-drawn narrow-gauge railway from Riihimäki to Kesijärvi, where he has a sawmill and a brick factory. The center of the village has moved to the north of the station. Koulukatu (now Hämeenkatu) is opened in 1906. A co-educational school is established in Asemakylä in 1905, and the first bank branches are opened here. We are starting to acquire the establishment of an independent municipality and parish.

At the end of 1909, there were 4057 inhabitants.

In the cityscape

• prayer room (now Central Church) (1905/1927/1978)
• Extension of the Southern School, Lopentie 11 (1907/1923)
• station master's house, Maantie 7 (1907)
• The hall part of the railway house (now the so-called Red House) (1907)
• The Finnish-language department of the railway's public school (now the Railway Park Day Activity Centre), Öllerinkatu 7 (1908)
• Kara mantor dairy, Maantie 5 (1908).

In literature

• Meri: The events of 1918.

1910th century

Overview

The Russian Empire begins to equip itself against the perceived German threat and builds several garrisons in southern Finland. Russian interests also affect new railway constructions. The rapid prosperity of the early part of the decade is interrupted by the outbreak of World War in 1914. Two revolutions take place in Russia in 1917, the empire breaks away from the World War. Finland issues a declaration of independence, but falls into a civil war in the winter of 1918. Food shortages, an influenza pandemic and the gradual raising of the state to its feet mark the end of the decade.

Local

The industry develops rapidly at the beginning of the decade – in 1910, a glass factory starts operating. The Riihimäki–Loppi railway is converted to locomotive traction in 1911. The establishment of the Russian garrison in 1910 brings several thousand soldiers to the station village. In the civil war, Riihimäki remains in the territory of the Reds: the Germans occupy the settlement in April 1918. At the beginning of 1919, the densely populated settlement of Riihimäki begins its operations, and already in 1916 the first site plan of the settlement was drawn up.

At the end of 1919, there were 6819 inhabitants.

In the cityscape

• the oldest part of the glass factory's main factory and the glass factory workers' residential buildings in Hyttikortteli city block and its surroundings (1910–1920)
• the main part of the garrison barracks (1910–1914)
• RLR memorial locomotive and carriage (1913, 1911, memorial unveiled 1958)
• Polttoturve Oy's factory (sub-factory of the glass factory, now the Finnish Glass Museum), Tehtaankatu 23 (1914)
• The oldest part of Sako Oy (1913/1931)
• Kino Sampo Theater (Kino Sampo), Suokatu 9 (1917/1938/1956)
• the oldest part of the cemetery (1917)
• Allinna, Koulukatu 14 (1919).

In literature

• Meri: The events of 1918
• Salmela: Vääpeli Kempas.

1920th century

Overview

On the one hand, the 1920s is a time of national narrow-mindedness and an escalating language struggle in Finland, on the other hand, a decade of international modernism opening windows to Europe. At the beginning of the decade, the Compulsory Education and Surname Act is enacted. The release of crofters produces an independent class of small farms. The standard of living is gradually starting to rise again. Radio broadcasts begin.

Local

Riihimäki becomes independent as a town from the beginning of 1922, and the following year Otto-I. Meurman prepares a new site plan for the community. The construction of the center accelerates and the center moves to Hämeenkatu and Kauppakatu. The industry continues to diversify: for example, Suomen Amputarvetehtas comes to the village in 1921, and Suojeluskuntain Ase- ja konepaja Oy replaces it in 1927.

At the end of 1929, there were 9103 inhabitants.

In the cityscape

• glass factory office building, Tehtaanportinkatu 2 (1920/1941)
• Patastenmäki school (now P. wooden school), Erkyläntie 7 (1922)
• VR's old stone building, Piippukuja 3 (1925)
• Västäräkki, Valtakatu 3 (1926)
• The gymnastics hall of Riihimäki joint school (now Riihimäki high school auditorium), Koulukatu 5 (on the side of Hämeenkatu) (1927)
• Tampere Osake-Bank building (now restaurant) Kauppakatu 6 (1927)
• The old part of Puput's house, Keskuskatu 11 (1929)
• civic college, Puistikko 5 (1929
• Triangle Park (1929).

In literature

• Arjavirta: Windy place
• Immonen: Death at the time of flowers
• Salmela: Vääpeli Kempas.

1930th century

Overview

The worldwide financial crisis that started at the end of the previous decade strangles Finland in the first half of the decade. The second half of the decade is again a time of rapid prosperity. The rise in the standard of living makes it possible, for example, to adjust the national pension in 1937. Politically, extreme right-wing and authoritarian governments become stronger in almost all European countries – in Finland, the situation escalates with the Mäntsälä rebellion in 1932. International tension begins to increase, and in the fall of 1939, the Second World War breaks out. The Soviet Union attacks Finland at the end of November.

Local

Parks are created to beautify the market: Riihimäki-Seura, founded in 1935, also organizes backyard competitions. Valtakatu and Keskuskatu are built as emergency relief works in years of shortage. The core of the current Sports Park will be the Central Sports Field. Several stone houses are being built in the center.

At the end of 1939, there were 10 inhabitants.

In the cityscape

• Valtakatu and Keskuskatu
• Kansallis-Osake-Bank building (later library, now music school), Valtakatu 10 (1930)
• racetrack (1930, grandstand 1948)
• The old part of the Northern School, Karankatu 13 (1913/1932)
• part of the Southern School (1932)
• Mäkelä house, Hämeenkatu 17 (1934)
• Central Sports Field (1935)
• railway station and post office (1935)
• Central Park (1935)
• The Nordic Union Bank building (now the Adventist Church), Keskuskatu 3 (1937)
• The newer part of Puput's house, Hämeenkatu 32 (1939)
• College Park (now Itsenäisyydenpuisto).

In literature

• Sea: Goethe's Oak
• Vammelvuo: The others are young.

1940th century

Overview

Throughout Europe, the decade was first marked by war and then by reconstruction, including in Finland. The settlement picture changes when Karelia's evacuees and frontline soldiers returning from the war have to be settled. The biggest baby boomers in Finnish history are being born, which is why schools and kindergartens have to be built. At the request of the Soviet Union, an ideological course change has to be made in cultural and social life. As the Cold War front became established in the world, the Soviet Union demanded and got Finland to sign the 1948 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Assistance.

Local

Riihimäki suffered great damage during the winter war bombings in the winter of 1940, but survived the continuation of the war intact. Antrea immigrants in particular are resettled in the township after the war. In 1947, Kara is handed over to Hausjärvi and Patastenmäki is given in exchange. The center is being built more and more like a city, and the settlement is spreading more and more to the north side of the ridge as well. Cultural life develops: Riihimäki Näyttämö's operations begin in 1946.

At the end of 1949, there were 15 inhabitants.

In the cityscape

• Ahjo department store (now Majakka), Hämeenkatu 25–27 (1940)
• Heroes' Cemetery (1940–1945)
• Riihimäki joint high school, now The main part of Riihimäki high school (1941)
• The current form of the old part of the meeting room, Hämeenkatu 29 (1941)
• Sako Oy's office building (1941)
• Riihilinna, Keskuskatu 8 (1942)
• sausage factory (now youth center Monari), Uudenmaankatu 1 (1945)
• part of the sawmill buildings (1945, 1948)
• The Orava factory and the manager's residence (now the Technical Research Institute of the Finnish Defense Forces (1945)
• the older part of the town hall, Kalevankatu 1 (1948)
• Sointula (Puutteenmäki) detached house area.

In literature

• Sea: Goethe's Oak
• Meri: One Night's Tales
• Vammelvuo: Bird of Paradise and other short stories.

1950th century

Overview

The rationing of necessities of life, which continued after the war, will end - war reparations will be fully paid. With the temporary easing of international relations, Finland will get back the base it rented to the Soviet Union in Porkkala ahead of time. Finland is freed from the mental grip of the war years. The Helsinki Olympics make the country famous and Finnish design and architecture also gain international fame. Urbanization is accelerating. A special youth culture is born and television broadcasts begin. Building a welfare society starts with real action.

Local

Riihimäki is growing rapidly and that is why a lot of construction is being done: for example, Hirsimäki, Uramo and Uhkola are planned and the city center plan is revised in 1954 and 1958. New educational institutions are established such as a vocational school and a trade school. There are signs of a change in the traffic situation when the construction of the new highway 3 (now highway 130) begins at the end of the decade.

At the end of 1959, there were 19 inhabitants.

In the cityscape

• Sipusaaari and Petsamo single-family areas
• secondary school (later public school, now Harjunrinne elementary school), Kalevankatu 3 (1950)
• kauppala hospital, now the old part of the main health center, Koulukatu 13 (1950)
• the main part of the glass factory (1919/1935/1943/1951)
• Karlskoga house (children's house), Junailijankatu 14 (1951)
• Water Castle (1952)
• Paloheimo Oy's power plant and thermal power plant in its current form (1910/1934/1949/1953)
• inland swimming pool and Sports Park complex (1955)
• Teräksen and Laakso houses, Hämeenkatu 21, 23 (1950, 1952)
• Chapel Church, (1956)
• fire station (1956)
• girls' high school, now Kara elementary school, Kalevankatu 13–17 (1956)
• former bus station, Torikatu 5 (1957)
• Grain warehouse of SOK (now Myllyn Parhaan), Paalukatu 3 (1957)
• The older part of Riihimäki vocational school (now Hyria), Sakonkatu 1 / Arjavirrankatu 4 (1959).

In literature

• Vakuri: Life with Freda
• Up: The circle closes.

1960th century

Overview

Internationally, the beginning of the decade was marked by major political crises. In Finland, President Urho Kekkonen's power is at its peak. Migration from the countryside to the suburbs of the cities and to Sweden is particularly strong. Finland is getting more cars and new highways are being built. On the railways, local traffic begins to wither, but on the other hand, the electrification of the rail network begins and electric train traffic begins between Helsinki and Kirkkonummi in the winter of 1969. Women's employment increases. At the end of the decade, the new generation challenges the values ​​of their parents throughout the Western world, and societies become heavily politicized.

Local

Riihimäki gets city rights from the beginning of 1960. The change of the cityscape is at its fastest. The population is growing rapidly and the local industrial establishments are hiring new workers in large numbers. Tuottajai Maidon's dairy starts in Herajoki in 1967 - the first in Finland to start making yogurt there in 1968. Suburbs are built in Otsola and Sipusaari, and single-family areas in Räätykänmäki, among others. A Nordic competition will be organized for the site plan of Peltosaari.

At the end of 1969, there were 22 inhabitants.

In the cityscape

• Sipusaaari and Otsola apartment buildings
• Kassatalo, Keskuskatu 10 (1960)
• Riihimäki Autola, Torikatu 9 (1962)
• Kansallis-Sake-Pank (now Nordea) building, Keskuskatu 16 (1962)
• state office building (now police and art museum), Temppelikatu 8 (1963)
• School of Commerce (now Finnish Environmental Institute etc.) Kalevankatu 5 (1963)
• RiTY's house, Hämeenkatu 48–50 (1963)
• Kirkkopuisto parish home, Hämeenkatu 5, parsonage (currently Narnia youth facility), Kirkkopolku 2a, and the parish office building,
• Temppelikatu 9 (1964)
• Riihimäki Technical Institute (now Häme University of Applied Sciences), Kaartokatu 2a (1965/1972/1998)
• Riihimäki joint school (now Pohjolanrinne elementary school) and sports hall, Pohjolankatu 6, 8 (1967).

In literature

• Airisto: Poems for Riihimäki
• Alsta: Serious games.

1970th century

Overview

Urbanization and changes in the economic structure continue to accelerate. Basic school offers more equal educational opportunities for everyone and social security is being developed. The oil crisis is followed by an economic depression in the middle of the decade. More and more attention is being paid to environmental protection. Politically, Finland sometimes comes under tight pressure from the Soviet Union, but also receives positive attention as the organizer of the EEC meeting in 1975.

Local

Riihimäki's traditional industry, such as Glassmaking, is facing difficulties that are reflected in the entire city. The operation of the glass factory ends in 1977, except for the production of packaging glass. However, at the end of the decade, an industrial village begins to be built on Mattila's field. Housing construction is most visible in Peltosaari, which, however, is not able to fulfill the expectations that were set for it at the beginning. In addition, Ilomäki Kerrostalot and the Suojala single-family and townhouse area are also being built. The electrification of the main line extends to Riihimäki in 1972.

At the end of 1979, there were 23 inhabitants.

In the cityscape

• Ilomaki
• Peltosaari mainly
• regional hospital (now Riihimäki unit of Kanta-Häme Central Hospital), Kontiontie 77 (1970)
• Uramo school, Uramontie 63 (1970)
• new part of the town hall (1973)
• Peltosaari Bridge (1974)
• swimming hall, Salpausseläntie 16 (1979).

In literature

• Lundán: Without great sorrows
• Baron: A room in a wooden house.

1980th century

Overview

The Cold War, which has existed since the post-World War II era, will end at the end of the decade. In Finland, the decade marks a period of strong economic growth, which turns into a recession in the 1990s.

Local

New small industrial companies are starting to rise to replace the traditional industry lost at the end of the previous decade. The hazardous waste treatment plant of Suomen Ilmasajäte Oy is completed in 1984. Single-family homes are being built on the outskirts of the city. In the world of communication, we see, for example, the arrival of local television in 1984 and local radio in 1988. Riihimäki begins to strengthen its image as a cultural city: the glass museum gets new premises in 1981 and the summer concerts start in 1982.

At the end of 1989, there were 24 inhabitants.

In the cityscape

• Riihimäki Seudun Osuuspanki building, Keskusk. 12/Hämeenk. 19 (1983)
• Kunnallistieto Oy (now Logica), Hämeenkatu 10 (1984)
• city ​​library, Kauppakatu 16–18 (1986)
• extension of the main health center, Penttilänkatu 5/Kallionkatu 10 (1987)
• hunting museum, Tehtaankatu 23A (1989, museum opening 1990)
• expansion of the business school (1989)
• theater hotel (now hotel Scandic), Hämeenaukio 1 (1989).

In literature

• Lahdenperä: The night is looking for a prison
• Lundán: Without great sorrows
• Manninen: Toilet reading.

1990th century

Overview

The upheavals of Europe and the world continue: the Soviet Union is disintegrating and the entire power system led by it is crumbling. Until the middle of the decade, Finland will experience an economic depression caused by the collapse of the casino economy at the end of the previous decade and the cessation of trade with the East, which is deeper here than elsewhere. At the beginning of 1995, Finland becomes a member of the European Union.

Local

The recession is also affecting Riihimäki. Among other things, the glass factory will be closed in 1990. On the other hand, within a decade, the Finnish Defense Forces will start developing the Riihimäki garrison into a real communications technology center. Traffic connections by road will improve even more with the completion of the highway from Helsinki to Tampere. The city is being built in, for example, Uhkola and the areas behind it.

At the end of 1999, there were 26 inhabitants.

In the cityscape

• extension of the vocational school (1995)
• South School Extension (1996)
• Extension of HAMK (1998).

In literature

• Manninen: The man under the hat
• Herkman: Silent Carnival of Light.

2000th century

Overview

The universal optimism of the previous decade is drowning in international crises. On the other hand, the decade is successful for Finland, until the economic recession begins to squeeze the world in the final years.

Local

Riihimäki is growing fast. New residential areas are being built near the city center as well as in, for example, Korttionmäki and Herajoe. The place's position as a railway crossing will weaken somewhat when the line from Kerava to Lahti opens to traffic in the fall of 2006. The town's population will expand, for example, in the direction of Herajoki and Teerimäki.

At the end of 2009, there were 28 inhabitants.

In the cityscape

• Ragnar Granit Square (2006)
• North School Extension (2006)
• Atomi quarter business center (2008)
• travel center (2009)
• Uunilinnu kindergarten, Kallionkatu 2 (2009).

In literature

• Carp: Murder at Sea Days
• Remes: 6/12
• Sirki: Next is Pasila.