| Sparbu | |
| Former: | yes |
| Idnumber: | 1731 |
| County: | Nord-Trøndelag |
| District: | Innherred |
| Capital: | Sparbu |
| Established: | 1 Jan 1838 |
| Preceded: | none |
| Disestablished: | 1 Jan 1964 |
| Succeeded: | Steinkjer Municipality |
| Demonym: | Sparbygg |
| Language: | Nynorsk[1] |
| Mayor: | Karl Tørhaug |
| Mayor Party: | Ap |
| Mayor As Of: | 1960–1963 |
| Elevation Max M: | 568.6 |
| Highest Point Ref: | [2] |
| Area Rank: | 317 |
| Area Total Km2: | 258.8 |
| Population As Of: | 1963 |
| Population Rank: | 217 |
| Population Total: | 3995 |
| Population Density Km2: | 15.4 |
| Population Increase: | 7.2 |
| Coordinates: | 63.9189°N 11.4328°W |
Sparbu is a former municipality in the old Nord-Trøndelag county, Norway. The 259km2 municipality existed from 1838 until its dissolution in 1964. It encompassed the southwestern part of what is now Steinkjer Municipality, south of the town of Steinkjer, east of the Børgin bay off the Trondheimsfjorden, and southwest of the Ogndalen valley. The administrative centre was the village of Sparbu.[3]
Prior to its dissolution in 1963, the 259km2 municipality was the 317th largest by area out of the 689 municipalities in Norway. Sparbu Municipality was the 217th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of about 3,995. The municipality's population density was and its population had increased by 7.2% over the previous 10-year period.[4] [5]
The parish of Sparbu was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). The eastern Ogndalen valley (population: 1,441) was separated from Sparbu Municipality on 1 January 1885 to form the new Skei Municipality (later this was renamed Ogndal Municipality). This left Sparbu Municipality with 2,842 residents.[6]
On 1 January 1964, a large municipal merger took place involving six rural municipalities and the town of Steinkjer. The following places were merged to form a new, larger Steinkjer Municipality:
The municipality (originally the parish) is named an old name for the area (non|Sparabú). The first element is which has an uncertain meaning, however it is possible that it means "something excellent" or "something one saves for". The last element is which means "household" or "farm". Historically, the name was spelled Sparbuen (using the definite singular form).[7]
The Church of Norway had one parish (Norwegian: sokn) within Sparbu Municipality. At the time of the municipal dissolution, it was part of the Sparbu prestegjeld and the Nord-Innherad prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nidaros.[8]
| Henning | Henning Church | Henning | 1872 | |
| Mære | Mære Church | Mære | c. 1150 |
Sparbu Municipality was located south of the town of Steinkjer. It was bordered by Ogndal Municipality to the north, Verdal Municipality to the southeast, Røra Municipality to the south, and Inderøy Municipality and Sandvollan Municipality to the west. The highest point in the municipality was the 568.6m (1,865.5feet) tall mountain Selisteinen, near the border with Verdal Municipality.
While it existed, Sparbu Municipality was responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, welfare and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads and utilities. The municipality was governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor was indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council.[9] The municipality was under the jurisdiction of the Frostating Court of Appeal.
The municipal council Norwegian: (Herredsstyre) of Sparbu was made up of representatives that were elected to four year terms. The tables below show the historical composition of the council by political party.
The mayor (nn|ordførar) of Sparbu was the political leader of the municipality and the chairperson of the municipal council. Here is a list of people who held this position:[10]
. Norges Sivile, Geistlige, Rettslige og Militære Inndeling 1. Januar 1951 . 1951-01-01 . H. Aschehoug & Co. . Norges Offisielle Statistikk . Oslo, Norge . no . PDF . Statistics Norway.
. Norske gaardnavne: Nordre Trondhjems amt . 1903 . W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri . 15 . Kristiania, Norge . 202 . no . Oluf Rygh.
. Norges Sivile, Geistlige, Rettslige og Militære Inndeling 1. Januar 1951 . 1951-01-01 . H. Aschehoug & Co. . Norges Offisielle Statistikk . Oslo, Norge . no . PDF . Statistics Norway.