Welcome to Haapamäki, a village once famous for railroads.
When the main rail network of Finland was built back in the late 18th century, the main line running through the length of Finland was drawn through here. Another connection Eastwards was added in 1897 and another one Westwards in the 1930’s. This made Haapamäki one of the few places in Finland, where rails to all directions crossed.
This of course meant building projects and inhabitants. But the glory was to last for less than 40 years. In the early 1970’s the main line was re-routed to a much more direct route. In the late 1980’s another connection Eastwards was built from Tampere. The track to the West was closed after just 50 years in the 1980’s.
And so Haapamäki became a small station village, which nobody needed. Every time new cuts to rail operations are planned, it’s on the line. But still some trains stop there.
The fall from grace has however meant, that several buildings have become useless. Such as the old elementary school.
The school was built in 1956 when the village was still thriving. The last pupils left in 2014 and the school was abandoned.
As you can see, disillusioned youths of the village have found an activity and some windows are broken. I decided to do my usual tour of the building to see if I could get in somehow.
Looks bad.
Oh well, not this time. Another place to list on my endless I’ll be back list.