Överum is a locality and former company town in the historical province of Småland. It and its around 1.100 inhabitants are today a part of Västervik Municipality in Kalmar County, but this was once the center of the local parish. The locality has a long industrial history and is still home to the company Överums Bruk AB which was established in 1655.
A Short History of Överum
Överum began as a company town in 1655 when it received the rights to produce wrought iron as well as pig iron. The production was in 1662 focused on artillery pieces and ammunition. The name company Överums Bruk AB was first really founded in 1882 when the company town was purchased by British interests. The military production in the area has over the centuries evolved into civilian production of mainly machines and equipment for agriculture and farming.
Överums Bruk AB continues to be an important employer in Överum. The company is today owned by the Danish company Kongskilde A/S, which is part of CNH Industrial.
Things to Do and See
Överum is still centered around its industrial past and has ongoing production in its factories. So visiting old industrial buildings might not be so easy, even though it is possible to explore the area from the outside. There is artwork throughout the locality related to its industries and its small center does have a shop or two.
Överums Bruksmuseum
The local museum is in one of the old industrial buildings. It tells the story of the company town, its many owners, and its historical production. Överums Bruk did in the 1970s employ around 1000 people, making it one of the largest employers in Kalmar County at the time. That has declined, but its history is still there.
Överum Manor
The manor is the main building of the former company town. It has its origins in a timber house built in the 1770s, but the redevelopment into the current manor took place in the mid-19th century. The manor is currently in private ownership and does not seem to be accessible.
Överum Church
Överum Church was inaugurated in 1872 and became the seat of the new Överum congregation when it was established in 1931. The church and its congregation are a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden.
How to Get to Överum
- Flights: The closest airports are Linköping Airport (LPI) 67 kilometers away and Oskarshamn Airport (OSK) 85 kilometers away.
- Car: Överum is on Road 35 between Åtvidaberg and Gamleby.
- Bus: Buses from Kalmar Länstrafik connect Överum with the surrounding area.
- Train: Överums Bruk Station is connected with Linköping and Västervik by trains from Krösatåg.
The driving distance from 5 major Swedish cities, according to Google Maps:
- Stockholm – 252 kilometers (3 h)
- Gothenburg – 342 kilometers (3 h 53 min)
- Malmö – 384 kilometers (4 h 52 min)
- Linköping – 69 kilometers (1 h)
- Kiruna – 1483 kilometers (17 h 18 min)
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