TIL the oldest savusauna in north America
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barberg%E2%80%93Selv%C3...Posted Mar 30, 2022, 4:47 PM UTC
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en.wikipedia.org
Cool! Here's a few images of it: https://www.mnopedia.org/structure/barberg-selv-l-salmonson-sauna-cokato
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Fun Fact - This is also the same city where Finnleo Saunas are manufactured.
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Sauna Town, USA?
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Indeed! Large Finnish population in that area so you know there going to be a sauna or two ;)
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The oldest surviving one in the United States, perhaps.
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Correct! I'm certain there were others made that have long since rotted into dust.
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There's a saying that there are only two kind of smoke saunas, destroyed by fire or not yet destroyed!
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A smoke sauna burns down once on average
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My mom’s hometown!
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It does not say whether it is still in use... it would be a nice day trip destination from Minneapolis!
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It is not still in use.
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Explains why it still survives. No active smoke sauna can make it that old
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You could (maybe) tour the sauna factory in town, too.
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For those interested, a great book on some of the history of sauna in North America is 'The Opposite of Cold' by Michael Nordskog.
On the human interest side... The guys who did the wood floors in our house (all of the interior woodwork was done by Finns) are descended from the family who built the Temperance Corner Sauna. They all sauna every day and many never bath anywhere but the sauna.
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Sauna every night is the best life!
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Nils Selvälä moved the sauna, but used it from then on as a shed, taking the money his family had won in court to build a bigger, nicer sauna elsewhere on their property.
And now it makes sense how it got survive so long
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My favorite part is when the Finns were brought to court by their neighbors, accused of strange religious or other rituals because they sat outside naked to cool down after sauna. I somehow find it relatable...