300 m
Former sawmill area
Kalajoki
You have arrived at the entrance gates of the former Santaholma Sawmill area.
But what was the often-mentioned sawmill?
Sawmills have always been one of the most important industrial facilities in Finland, since most of Finland is covered by forests.
The sawmill in Kalajoki was founded in 1903 by Antti Santaholma and his five sons, and in later years it also consisted of mills in Raahe, Haukipudas and Pyhäjoki.
The main office of the company was located in Oulu in the beginning but was later transferred to Kalajoki.
The sawmill, which was officially called Jokisuu Sawmill (“Jokisuun saha”), grew to be the biggest employer in Kalajoki at one point. The size and value of the sawmill is also emphasized on this tour, since half the buildings we have seen belonged to former workers at the mill.
Across Fiia’s Cabin on the other side of the road is a red house called Tähtelä (“Starry place”). It used to serve as a canteen for the sawmill workers.
Even though most of the sawmill buildings have been demolished after the company went bankrupt in 1996, there are still traces of the area’s old use and purpose to be found. The buildings surrounding you, like the old forgery or different storage barns, still hold some of the original equipment inside.
These days, local glass artist Heikki Ulvi has his atelier in the former “Big Forge” (“isopaja”) of the sawmill.
Timber was not the only product that the Santaholma sawmill produced. Another big export product was a type of local stone, granite. Granite mining was started by Antti Santaholma already in the 1880s after an inquiry came about it from Aberdeen, Scotland.
The exported granite ended up in numerous cemeteries in Scotland and in England in the form of tombstones. You can also find many beautiful tombstones made from local materials in the Kalajoki cemetery.
Image descriptions:
- 1: The Jokisuu sawmill.
- 2: Sawmill's tugboat Toimi in the 1930s.
- 3: Granite tombstones.
- 4: Gates of the sawmill in the early 1900s.
- 6: Sawmill workers having a coffee break.
Kalajoen kotiseutuyhdistys.
- 5: Gates of the sawmill, summer 2025.
- 7: Tähtelä, the former canteen, summer 2025.
- 8-9: Former sawmill buildings, summer 2025.
Lotta Puurula.
Tales from Plassi
Welcome to Plassi – the old town of Kalajoki!
This cultural route spans between the Jokela Vicarage and the Havula museum, leaving a trail of unique and fascinating sightseeing spots on the way.
Learn about the history and the cultural significance of the Plassi area!
In short:
The name “Plassi” derives from a swedish word “marknadsplats”, meaning a marketplace.
Plassi has a long history of being the local center for trading, marketing, sailing, handicrafts and saw industry.
The old village structure in Plassi is well preserved and the area is mostly covered in wooden houses from the 1700-1900s.
Guided walking tours are organized around the Plassi area and at the Havula museum by Kalajoen Matkailuoppaat ry (Kalajoki Travel Guides).
- Book a guided tour: 040 5571325
Additional info:
- The route is app. 2 km long
- You can experience the route by walking, bicycling, driving or entirely remotely in digital form
- There is a sidewalk for pedestrians almost reaching the end of the route, but the last 300 meters you have to walk on the side of the road
- Some of the buildings on the route are privately owned and inhabited - please, remember to respect private properties!
This route is designed in collaboration with Kalajoki Culture Services, and Sari Alajoki, the expert in built heritage.
The old black and white photographs are from Kalajoen Kotiseutuyhdistys (Kalajoki Local Association).
Image description:
- 2: Map of Plassi from 1869 (by C.G.W. Laudelin).
Places in this collection
