“Solhem” echoes in the wind. This district in Vasterort within Stockholm Municipality. Solhem offers a glimpse into Sweden’s past and present. It borders Bromsten, Tensta, and other areas. This is part of the Jarva district.
Solhem’s story began long ago. The area belonged to Varsta and Kalvesta farms. Housing development started after the Stockholm-Vasteras railway opened in 1876.
In 1904, AB Solhems Villastad began selling plots. Lars Magnus Ericsson and John Bernstrom were among the founders. Their idea? To offer workers and officials a chance to own homes.
The name Solhem was chosen in 1904. AB Hem på landet felt it reflected the area well. Varsta was rejected due to negative associations. The company aimed to give Solhem status. Rules ensured a good neighborhood. Houses had only one kitchen to prevent rentals. The company provided house designs for a uniform style.
Early houses had wood facades and plank frames. Windows often had glazing bars with open porches and verandas. Most houses were painted red with white corners. Painters, stone workers, carpenters, repairmen, and shoemakers lived here.
By 1907, 160 houses existed with shops. Spanga station was in Solhem. The area became a central hub. A grand station building opened in 1908. Erik Lallerstedt designed it. It became famous but was torn down in 1975.
Spanga station served travelers from Stockholm to Hasselby villastad. A special line ran between Spanga and Hasselby villastad. This passenger traffic stopped in 1958. Until the 1970s, trains carried waste from Stockholm to the Lovsta incineration plant.
Solhems municipal society was established in 1908. It dissolved in 1949 when the area joined Stockholm. House numbers increased in the 1920s and 1930s. A city center grew around Spanga station in the 1930s. Low apartment buildings had shops on the ground floor. By 1930, 425 plots were built on.
A mission church was built on a hill above the center. It closed in 1973. The Spanga Mission congregation moved to Tensta Church. Today, the building belongs to Spanga scouts and is used as a preschool.
Spanga Gymnasium was built in 1945. It expanded in 1954 and 1964. It was renovated in 2007. In the 1960s, large plots were divided. New modern villas were built. Several blocks of row houses appeared.
In the early 2000s, the first major housing area in years was built. Row houses and semi-detached houses were constructed on Avestagatan. Marianne Ocklind was the architect. West of the center, Finnbo was developed with apartments completed in 2008.
In 2021, Solhem had 9,242 residents. About 31% had foreign backgrounds. Today, Solhem is accessible by bus, train, and metro. Värsta Allé is the nearest bus stop. Spanga Station is nearby too. Bus lines 112 and 117 serve Solhem. The Pendeltag train also stops here. Metro line 10 provides access. Solhem blends history with modern life.