# Løten

Løten is a municipality in Innlandet county, Norway. It is located in the traditional district of Hedemarken. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Løten. Other villages in the municipality include Ådalsbruk, Heimdal, and Brenneriroa.
The 369-square-kilometre (142 sq mi) municipality is the 246th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Løten is the 133rd most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 7,836. The municipality's population density is 21.6 inhabitants per square kilometre (56/sq mi) and its population has increased by 4.8% over the previous 10-year period.

## General information

The parish of Løiten was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). The name was later changed to Løten. The boundaries of the municipality have never changed.

### Name

The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Løten farm (Old Norse: Lautvin). The actual farm is probably the one which is now called Prestgarden (meaning "the vicarage"), where the first Løten Church was built. The first element is laut which means "hollow depression". (There is a long depression between the Prestgarden and the old church.) The last element is vin which means "meadow" or "pasture". Historically, the name of the municipality was spelled Leuten or Leuthen. In 1838 the spelling was changed to Løiten. On 3 November 1917, a royal resolution changed the spelling of the name of the municipality to Løten.

### Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 7 September 1984. The official blazon is "Gules, a drinking horn Or" (Norwegian: I rødt et gull drikkehorn). This means the arms have a red field (background) and the charge is a drinking horn from the Middle Ages. The charge has a tincture of Or which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used. It represents the historical importance of growing wheat and also the products of the modern Løiten Brænderi (Løten distillery), which was established in 1855. The arms were designed by Harald Trætteberg. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.

### Churches

The Church of Norway has one parish (sokn) within the municipality of Løten. It is part of the Hamar domprosti (arch-deanery) in the Diocese of Hamar.
Churches in Løten :
| Parish (sokn) | Church name | Location of the church | Year built |
| Løten | Løten Church | Løten | c. 1200 |
| Løten | Oppegård Chapel | Oppegård | 1886 |
| Løten | Oset Chapel | Oset | 1885 |

## History

There has been traffic from east to west through Løten, throughout all recorded periods of history and archeological evidence supports earlier trade along this route. The old village center was formed around the Løten Church, which was built during the 13th century.
When King Christian IV of Denmark prohibited the importation of German beer in the early 17th Century, distillation began in Norway. In 1624, distilled alcohol was prohibited at weddings, and by 1638 King Christian forbade the clergy the right to distill in their own homes. The corn-growing districts of Løten, Vang (the former municipality in Hedmark), and Romedal all became famous for their distilleries. "Gamle Løiten" from Løiten Brænderi, which was established in 1855, was a highly prized "akvavit" produced in Løten.
When the railway was opened in 1862, Løten Station became the new centre of trade and management. The area around the new station grew up as the present village of Løten.

## Government

Løten Municipality is responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, welfare and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads and utilities. The municipality is governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor is indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council. The municipality is under the jurisdiction of the Østre Innlandet District Court and the Eidsivating Court of Appeal.

### Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Løten is made up of 25 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by political party.
Løten kommunestyre 2023–2027 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 6 |
| | Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) | 2 |
| | Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) | 1 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 2 |
| | Norway Democrats (Norgesdemokratene) | 1 |
| | Red Party (Rødt) | 1 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 10 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 25 |
Løten kommunestyre 2019–2023 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 7 |
| | Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) | 1 |
| | Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) | 1 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 1 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 14 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 25 |
Løten kommunestyre 2015–2019 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 11 |
| | Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) | 1 |
| | Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne) | 1 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 2 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 8 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 25 |
Løten kommunestyre 2011–2015 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 13 |
| | Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) | 2 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 3 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 4 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 25 |
Løten kommunestyre 2007–2011 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 11 |
| | Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) | 3 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 2 |
| | Pensioners' Party (Pensjonistpartiet) | 1 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 6 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 25 |
Løten kommunestyre 2003–2007 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 8 |
| | Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) | 2 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 2 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 10 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 3 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 25 |
Løten kommunestyre 1999–2003 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 12 |
| | Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) | 2 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 3 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 5 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 3 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 25 |
Løten kommunestyre 1995–1999 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 13 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 2 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 7 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 |
| | Liberal Party (Venstre) | 1 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 25 |
Løten kommunestyre 1991–1995 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 14 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 2 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 5 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 4 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 25 |
Løten kommunestyre 1987–1991 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 15 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 3 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 3 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 |
| | Residents' free list (Bygdefolkets frie liste) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 25 |
Løten kommunestyre 1983–1987 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 17 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 3 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 3 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 25 |
Løten kommunestyre 1979–1983 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 17 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 3 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 4 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 1 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 25 |
Løten kommunestyre 1975–1979 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 17 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 1 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 5 |
| | Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) | 2 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 25 |
Løten kommunestyre 1971–1975 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 17 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 2 |
| | Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) | 2 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 4 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 25 |
Løten kommunestyre 1967–1971 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 17 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 2 |
| | Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) | 2 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 4 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 25 |
Løten kommunestyre 1963–1967 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 17 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 3 |
| | Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) | 2 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 3 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 25 |
Løten herredsstyre 1959–1963 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 16 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 3 |
| | Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) | 3 |
| | Centre Party (Senterpartiet) | 3 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 25 |
Løten herredsstyre 1955–1959 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 16 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 2 |
| | Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) | 3 |
| | Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) | 4 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 25 |
Løten herredsstyre 1951–1955 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 16 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 2 |
| | Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) | 3 |
| | Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) | 3 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 24 |
Løten herredsstyre 1947–1951 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 14 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 2 |
| | Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) | 5 |
| | Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) | 3 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 24 |
Løten herredsstyre 1945–1947 :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 13 |
| | Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) | 6 |
| | Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) | 1 |
| | Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) | 4 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 24 |
Løten herredsstyre 1937–1940* :
| Party name (in Norwegian) | Party name (in Norwegian) | Number of representatives |
| | Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) | 16 |
| | Conservative Party (Høyre) | 4 |
| | Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) | 4 |
| Total number of members: | Total number of members: | 24 |
| Note: Due to the German occupation of Norway during World War II, no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945. |||

### Mayors

The mayors (Norwegian: ordfører) of Løten:
* 1838-1839: Axel Quinsgård
* 1840-1840: T.A. Gjestvang
* 1841-1844: Ole Rasmussen Grøholt
* 1847-1848: Johan Fredrik Wilhelm Larsen
* 1849-1856: Ole Rasmussen Grøholt
* 1857-1864: Hedvard Norderhaug
* 1865-1866: Per Sigstad
* 1867-1868: Jens Grøholt
* 1873-1874: Thore Sigstad, Jr.
* 1875-1875: Jens Grøholt
* 1881-1882: Håkon Qvæken
* 1883-1884: Mathias Rustad
* 1885-1886: Thv. Gjestvang
* 1887-1890: Mathias Rustad
* 1891-1891: Thv. Gjestvang
* 1892-1894: Johan D. Karterud
* 1895-1898: Ole Imset
* 1899-1901: Karl Wefring
* 1902-1907: Gudbrand Søberg
* 1908-1910: Edvard Holth
* 1911-1913: Johan Kleppen
* 1914-1916: J. Englaugsmoen
* 1917-1919: N. Thorshaug
* 1920-1925: M.A. Nordli
* 1926-1928: Kristen O. Ommang
* 1929-1931: M.A. Nordli
* 1932-1940: Oscar Wilhelm Nilssen
* 1941-1945: Einar Myki
* 1945-1955: Oscar W. Nilssen
* 1956-1959: M.A. Nordli
* 1960-1967: Ole L. Skaugerud
* 1968-1979: Leif Hjelsengsveen
* 1980-1997: Even Østlund (Ap)
* 1997-1999: Bente Elin Lilleøkseth (Ap)
* 1999-2007: Martin Skramstad (Sp)
* 2007-2019: Bente Elin Lilleøkseth (Ap)
* 2019–present: Marte Larsen Tønseth (Sp)

## Geography

Number of minorities (1st and 2nd generation) in Løten by country of origin in 2017 :
| Ancestry | Number |
| Lithuania | 95 |
| Poland | 84 |
| Thailand | 42 |
| Latvia | 35 |
| Myanmar | 30 |
| Syria | 26 |
| Sweden | 24 |
| Eritrea | 20 |
Løten lies in the eastern part of the traditional district of Hedmarken. It is surrounded by Hamar Municipality to the west-northwest, Stange municipality to the west-southwest, and Elverum municipality to the east. Small portions of the municipality border on Åmot in the far north and Våler in the south. The Hedmarksvidda moorland lies in the north.
Løten lies along the "border" between the agricultural wheat fields of the lower part of Eastern Norway (the areas around and south of lake Mjøsa), and the taiga (boreal coniferous forests) that stretch from eastern Norway all the way to Siberia. This border area between the cultivated farm land and the wilderness was written about by the poet Rolf Jacobsen, from Hamar, in his classic poem Tanker ved Ånestadkrysset (Thoughts at the Ånestad crossroad).

## Notable people

* Kristoffer Nilsen Svartbækken Grindalen (1804–1876), the last person in Norway to be sentenced to death for murder (he committed murder in Løten and was executed there)
* Edvard Munch (1863 in Ådalsbruk – 1944), a Norwegian painter of The Scream
* Helmer Hermansen (1871 in Løten – 1958), a rifle shooter and team silver medallist at the 1900 Summer Olympics
* Marius Røhne (1883 in Løten – 1966), a Norwegian landscape architect
* Hallvard Trætteberg (1898 in Løten – 1987), a leading Norwegian heraldic artist
* Emil Løvlien (1899 in Løten - 1973), a Norwegian politician and leader of the Communist Party of Norway (1946-1965)
* Einar Johannessen (1926–2016), a Norwegian radio and TV personality who lived in Løten
* Magne Dæhli (born 1987 in Løten), a Norwegian orienteer, ski-orienteer, and cross-country skier
* Monika Kørra (born 1989 in Løten), a Norwegian author and former track and field athlete

## Gallery

* Finstadhaugen i Løten
* Korpreiret canyon in river Øksna, Løten
* Løten prestegard