The herring boom
Few places in Vesterålen have such an intimate and exciting history as Eidsfjord. Nevertheless, today there is little left to remind one of the fjord’s heyday (1860 - 1900), when it had the reputation of being the country’s best herring fjord. There were others who also sought wealth and happiness through exploitation of "the silver of the sea."
The seasonal influx of people was tremendous; during the peak years it is estimated that there were more than 10 000 visitors. This is the North Norwegian variant of the Klondyke: in the wake of the fishermen, the gutting girls, the salters and the buyers, came the traders, Hungarian street performers, musicans, sellers of coffee and spirits, watchmakers and members of the ranks of the light cavalry.
