Trädgårdsgatan, Hästtorget, Falköping, in the 1930s.
My paternal grandfather Karl Adolf (or, later in life, Carl Adolf) was born in Falköping. Skaraborg, Sweden, on July 10, 1871. At the time his mother, grandfather, and teenage aunt were living in a small house in Trädgårdsgatan at Hästtorget. I’m guessing he was born at home.
In the 1870s Hästtorget, or Hästbacken as it was known, was right outside town. It was, and still is, a large, open, sloping, area. In the old days it was used for markets. ‘Hästtorget’ translates to ‘horse square.’
From Trädgårdsgatan you have a clear view all the way across town to the mountains on the other side. I am sure in the 1870s the interior of a small old wooden house was dark, cramped, smelly, and dirty. But the view. I hope it lifted some spirits.