Siimtoften
Intro
You are standing at the Lakelands Compass which points the way to many exciting experiences in Ry and the rest of the Lakelands.
The Compass has been erected by the local association RYST which each year organises a large nature and culture festival here at Siimtoften, as this place is named.
The pasture in this vicinity is at the disposition of both citizens and guests, because it is owned by the municipality. It is a story that starts nearly 500 years ago.
In 1519 the name Siim appears for the first time in connection with the Siimgaards Mill. At that time the mill belonged to Øm Abbey – as did at lot of other locations. After the reformation in 1536 the mill is mentioned as crown land, but then the name disappears from the history. However, the name Rye Mill appears from 1578. Is it the same mill?
It probably is. At least the assumption is confirmed by the fact that thick oak poles have been found in the River Gudenå in front of the turbine house of Rye Mill. The oak poles date back to the 14th century. This signifies that there was a dam across the River Gudenå far earlier than the presence of Rye Mill. It is highly likely that this is the same dam which was used for Siimgaards Mill.
In 1617 the king’s tenant at Rye Mill was allowed to use it – as it says in the charter -” closed pasture situated at Siim Mark” – where the word “mark” means “field”. This probably refers to the old mill pasture at Siimgards Mill, Siimtoften. And, as the tenant of the mill bought Rye Mill from the king, he also owned the pasture as part of the property.
The factories of Rye Mill were built at Siimtoften in 1917. Cardboard boxes and butter barrels were some of the things manufactured here. Approximately one million power and telephone poles were also made at the factory. Later on, production was replaced by a building and timber business.
In 1989 the Coop supermarket, Kvickly, was built at Siimtoften, and, some years later, Ry Municipality bought the rest of the factory area. Since then Siimtoften has been a public area for town recreation, its citizens and all of our guests.