History of the estate

The name Maikkula evokes memories of the good old days in the minds of barefooted people of Oulu. When arriving to the yard, the view is the same as in the 19th century: Fredrika’s House from the 1860’s at the river bank, an 18th century’s barn, stable and worker’s quarters Väentupa to the right and the main building from the 1830’s at the centre.

The construction timber’s growth rings have been examined with microscopic precision. The oldest logs of the buildings at the estate area have begun their growth in the Middle Ages. When one sees the state of Maikkula buildings today, the construction work of old times strikes with awe.

The estate’s main building and the Fredrika’s House at the shore were given their final form in the 1860’s when the estate was governed by the crown overseer Liljeqvist and by Nordberg, the first sheriff of the parish of Oulu. The backgrounds of the estate owners, achievements of the constructors and graffiti of the painters have been accurately documented (from the beginning of the 19th century). Part of the builders’ signatures can still be found on the logs. One can rehear interesting and mysterious tales in the halls of Maikkula.

After the burning of Oulu in 1822 its “society” was soon able to admire a manor building exceptionally large for Northern Ostrobothnia. Restaurant activity in the main building has continued even until 1982.

Maikkula and Oulu River have always belonged together. Oulu River brought all the wealth to the downriver town of Oulu over Maikkula. This primeval itinerary become the worlds leading route to the Tar Palace (Tervahovi) of Oulu starting from the 1730’s... when lives were depending on the ”black gold”.

The famous salmon river

Salmon catches in the 1860’s were dazzling: even 82.000 kg. The Oulu River was the definite supply location of the “red meat” and the trips of foreign sport fishers (especially from England) have been accurately documented in literature.

Even in the poorest year the catch of salmon did not stay under 40.000 kg. So it is not strange that the maids and servants of Maikkula required a term in their contracts saying that “salmon cannot be in the menu on more that three days in a week”.

Until 1865 all registered men were allowed to burn 12 cans of burn liquor (paloviina) (12 x 2.64 l) in a year. Women were allowed to burn only six cans. This "public right" was not completely random as in 1861 425.422 liters of burn liquor was burned in the hundred of Oulu. And at the time its population was 47.000!

In consequence a good market had been created for Höyrywiinapolttimo Oy of Maikkula when it started its activity at the estate grounds right by the riverside in 1870. The factory’s founder partners were an interesting group of Oulu’s opinion leaders: lieutenant Henrik Wegelius, the county’s agronomist J.E. Alcenius, master saddler Elias Reis and skipper merchant J.H. Huovinen). The managers and superintendents lived in the Fredrika’s House.