Ove Oveson Wangensteen, born circa 1650, bought Stele gard (farm) while he was serving as the parish priest (Lutheran pastor) in Valdres, Oppland, and remained there until his death in 1714. 

 

The distance from Oye* farm in Laerdal, which was to later become the birthplace of Louis Peterson Oye, and Stele gard at Vang in Valdres is approximately 76 kilometers.  It is along the historic King's Highway, the land route between the major cities of Oslo and Bergen, and was in that day a long multi-day, arduous journey over rocky terrain to the top of the mountain summit, and included an equally treacherous descent into Laerdal parish.

                                                      

Stele gard has remained in the Wangensteen family until present day (2015).  A major product is wool, and it is also a Bed & Breakfast

 

 

 

 

 

*There are a number of different locations in Norway which also go by the name of Oye, including a town 7 kilometers north of Vang along the King's Highway which is home to the historic Stave Church by that name.

 

 

 

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to see some present-day pictures of Stele gard and historical pictures of the town of Vang and surroundings.

 

Click on a small picture to enlarge it.