Archives West Finding Aid

Hokan (Hovander) Olsson was born on December 6, 1841, near Malmo, Sweden. Hokan's parents, Ola Persson and Else Nilsdatter, were semi-prosperous tenant farmers who struggled to support Hokan and his eight siblings, including Hokan's twin brother Christian. In 19th Century Sweden, tenant farming was a particularly difficult livelihood for most families. Only 10% of Sweden's land was arable and suitable for farming. In addition, Swedish laws stipulated that landowners must maintain their land parcels as a unit and were prohibited from dividing lands among heirs. As a result, many younger sons, such as Hokan, chose to migrate to large cities like Stockholm in search of more viable vocational prospects. Once in Stockholm, Hokan became an apprentice bricklayer by day and studied architecture in the evening. Sometime during the 1860s, Hokan changed his surname from Olsson to Hafvander (later Havander or Hovander). This name change probably reflected Hokan's desire to facilitate his architectural career by choosing a more distinctive name than the common "Olsson."

In 1865, Hokan and his brother Christian left Sweden and travelled first to Australia and New Zealand and then to the United States, where they established separate homesteads in Kansas. Christian chose to remain in Kansas, but Hokan continued his travels in the U.S., eventually migrating to Chicago. While in Chicago, Hokan returned to his chosen profession of architecture. In the wake of the devastating fire of 1871, he found ample opportunity to hone his architectural skills as he helped to rebuild the city. He also worked along the West Coast in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle.

In 1879, He returned to Sweden and married Louisa Leontine Johandatter Lof and settled into family life and an architectural career. Although he was not officially licensed as an architect in Sweden, this period was particularly prolific for Hokan, and he completed many building and design projects during this time. Hokan's work in Sweden culminated with the creation of his most famous work, the "Mansion," a large residential building in Stockholm created in the Beaux Arts style.

In 1885, Hokan succumbed to an episode of tuberculosis and was advised to spend some time in a warmer climate. Hokan, Leontine and their children, Hugo, Elsa and Otis embarked on a world cruise, traveling from Sweden to Australia and finally to San Francisco. In California, Elsa met her future husband, Karl Stromee. The Stromees and other transplanted Swedes convinced the Hovanders that immigration to the U.S. would be beneficial to both Hokan's health and the future of the children. After returning to Sweden and selling the "Mansion", the Hovander family set sail for New Zealand in 1896. By then, the family had grown to include three more children: Angelo, Charles and Ada.

The Hovander family reached Seattle by 1897 but chose not to stay, complaining of noise and price inflation caused by Gold Rush fever. Instead, the family migrated north to Whatcom County. The Hovanders paid Betsey Nielson $4000 in gold coin for 60 acres near Ferndale, which included two small cabins, some farm implements, and a few livestock. In 1899, the last Hovander child, Vera, was born in one of the cabins. Hokan designed a house and barn based on traditional Scandinavian architectural features but which also incorporated building techniques learned while working in the U.S. These buildings still stand on the property today.

Hokan died in 1915 of chronic myocarditis, fifteen years after work on the house was completed. Leontine died in 1936, as a result of complications from diabetes. All the children married, except for Otis. Otis, a friendly and colorful local personality with wide and varied interests, is well represented in the family papers. He was an avid stamp collector and maintained a large correspondence with fellow collectors. Otis loved antique cars and belonged to a vintage car club. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias and was also interested in politics and automobile safety issues. Otis also enjoyed playing musical instruments and once requested an audition with the Original Amateur Hour in New York City. Otis shared the Hovander House with widowed sister Elsa from 1946 until her death in 1961. Otis remained in the house until 1969, when he moved into the Lynden Rest home where he resided until his death in 1979.

The papers of Elsa Hovander Stromee are also well represented in this collection. Elsa's husband Karl owned and ran the Economy Print Shop in San Bernardino, California, which employed Japanese and Chinese Americans and nationals. Karl died in 1946, after which Elsa moved back to Whatcom County to live with Otis.

The Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Board purchased the Hovander property for $60,000 in 1969. Upon acquisition, the Parks Department repainted and refurbished the buildings and continues to maintain the house today. A small working farmyard adjacent to the house was restocked with typical farm animals. Farm implements were collected from many different sources and displayed in the barn along with identifying labels. The house and grounds are open to visitors.