1870
population about 6,900
The biggest ever Oulu-built sailing ship, Toivo (Hope), was
completed. Oulu exported mainly lumber and tar. The cargo
was unloaded at a port in England or some other country,
after which goods were transported between foreign ports.
Freighting to the United States began in the 1870s, at a
time when steam ships were yet to pose a threat to sailing
ships. Goods exported from America to Europe included
farming products. It took three to four years for a ship to
return to its home port.
1874
population about 6,980
The Oulu elementary school was established. It was divided
into lower and upper schools. In the autumn, 189 pupils were
registered and four teachers hired. The new school building,
Heinätori School, was completed in the autumn of 1876. It
was one of the most magnificent elementary school buildings
of its time.
1875
population about 6,950
The first city council under the new Local Government Act
was elected. A total of 24 councillors were chosen. Suffrage
was based on the ability to pay taxes. A financial chamber (which
later become the city board) and six committees/boards also
started at the beginning of the year – disabled and elderly
care board, port, fire and lodging boards, and elementary
school and factory boards. The first conflicts between
Finnish- and Swedish-speaking parties started in Oulu
directly after the first election. The pro-Finnish movement
had been operating in Finland since the 1850s, while the
pro-Swedish one was established in the 1870s.
1886
population about 9,540
The railway reached Oulu. The inauguration ceremony was held
in the brand new festival hall of the Seurahuone Restaurant
and Hotel. It was not until much later that Seurahuone
became the city hall.
1887
population about 10,260
The registered population exceeded 10,000 for the first time.
(Population counts used in this presentation are mainly
based on the files of the registrar.) By 1883, the
population in the church register had already reached
10,557.
1898
population about 13,040
A rule change turned the Oulun työväenseura (Oulu Worker’s
Society) into the Oulun työväenyhdistys (Oulu Worker’s
Association). The mission of the new association was “to act
as the link between workers and professionals in Oulu to
enhance their mental, moral and material wellbeing.” Workers
gained more and more ground in the association, leading to
the withdrawal of the educated people from the association.
This signalled the beginning of workers’ parties and
associations. By the end of the century, the Worker’s
Association had subdivisions for women and local trade
unions.
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