Odla på annans mark - studie av tre sluss- och brovaktarboställen vid Göta kanal, 1825–2015

Abstract

Göta Canal is one of the largest construction projects ever undertaken in Sweden. The purpose of the survey is to examine more closely how the culture at the Lockkeeper were utilized and changed during the period 1825 to 2015. Three Lockkeeper’s cottages in Töreboda municipality have been used as case study: The following questions have guided the study: - What are the conditions for cultivation of the lock and bridge guard houses? - What traces of the plantations remain in the lock and bridge guard houses today? The methodology include study of historical materials on culture of similar facilities, linked to knowledge of cultivation spread and re-shooting of the environments. Central directives and regulations from the Gota Canal Company stated how, what and when employees had the opportunity to influence their everyday. The Lockkeeper was strictly controlled by his supervisor. He would take care of the lockage in the field, as well as mastering another profession, in addition to managing of trees and bushes along the canal. For his self-sufficiency, he would also farm the garden to produce food for the household. The employee did not own the land or housing. He could be dismissed if he did not took care of his profession, and thus he would was homeless and landless. Most of the green structure remains today in the canal area and the lock and guard houses. The land along the canal is still owned by the Göta Canal Company and the major structures are very well preserved, such as ditches, roads, bridges and more. Large parts of the vegetation is also preserved, including trees along the canal and the locks.