Hokksund is the administrative centre, and largest town in Øvre Eiker, with a population of around 8,000. Hokksund is located 18 km west of Drammen. The river Drammenselva flows through the town, 500m from the centre. Hokksund has developed on both sides of the river. Hokksund is located in a rich agricultural district. Forestry has traditionally been the principal industry, but engineering, especially electrical as well as the cement industry, have become important within the past century. There are three hotels in Hokksund and a campsite there, which holds up to 240 caravans.[2]
The Hoen Hoard was found on the farm Nedre Hoen in 1834. It is Norway's largest find of gold jewellery from the Viking Age with a total of approx. 2.5 kg of gold and some silver jewellery. The treasure is on display in the Museum of Cultural History, Oslo.
Haug Church (Haug kirke), originally built in 1152, is a Medieval stone church consisted of the west tower, nave and chancel. The church was extensively repaired and redecorated from 1961 to 1962. The organ was built by the German organ builder Jürgen Ahrend in 2004.[4]
Nøstetangen Museum
Nøstetangen Museum at the old county farm (Sorenskrivergården), shows how glass was made according to ancient tradition. Nøstetangen glassworks operated here from 1741 to 1777. It produced table-glass and chandeliers in the German and English style. Adjacent to the museum's garden is the Skriverparken, a beautiful park area extending down to river.[5][6]
Sport
The Vinsvollbanen is a motorcycle speedway venue located at Vinsvoldveien 83, in a remote area (59°44′23″N 9°55′24″E / 59.73972°N 9.92333°E / 59.73972; 9.92333), south of the town.[7] It hosted the final of the Norwegian Individual Speedway Championship in 1988, 1995, 2005 and 2011.[8]
Notable residents
Jonas Lie, 1904
Jonas Lie (1833-1908), novelist, poet, and playwright.[9]