Hjalmar Fagerström

The Station-master in Mullsjö

One day in the beginning of the 1930’s Hjalmar Fagerström stepped off the train in Mullsjö to start his employment as a station-master in the little village in the south of Sweden highlands. Already, people from Gothenburg had been coming here for many years to make use of the fine skiing and the good supply of snow.
Like the outdoor person he was, Hjalmar saw the opportunities the countryside offered, and decided to provide facilities for the visitors. In 1936 he started the Mullsjö chapter of Friluftsfrämjandet – a large Swedish organisation for outdoor activities – and in 1939 the first cottage, with room for 34 guests, was built. Skiing tracks and downhill slopes were constructed, tennis courts, a sports field and a public bathing place followed. More and more guests arrived – families, sports clubs, conference groups – and more space was soon needed.
In 1944 the next step was taken. This meant a new main building, with dining room, lounge and rooms for 70 guests. Hjalmar Fagerström’s sure sense of colours and shapes ensured that the facilities were well adjusted to the surrounding forest, lake and hills.

In 1967 his son Tord Fagerström took over. Courses became a major part of the business. Private guests arrived for the weekends, holidays and in the summertime. The facilities were modernized and rebuilt in five year intervals, for 10 million SEK.
In 1988 a major investment was made. The architect Carl Nyrén was entrusted with the task. He created a building with a unique colour and shape, containing a marble pool, a beautiful conference room with lots of space and light, a gymnasium and guest rooms with true Nordic freshness.

The continued development has been based on conferences with various activities offered, a recognized good kitchen and a loyal staff.
In September 1999, the latest addition was made. This meant that the hotel could boast a whole new ”front”. The addition included a brand new entrance, luggage room, wardrobes, toilets, reception, bar, a winter garden, a VIP-dining room, a new conference room and one more lounge. Everything was also designed to suit disabled visitors.
Hotel Mullsjö today meets all modern standards concerning comfort and space, and still has the cosy atmosphere that would have met with approval of its founder, Hjalmar Fagerström. In August 2004 the hotel was sold to the locally well known restaurateur and hotel owner Josef Darius, already the owner of Hotel Gyllene Uttern in Gränna and Hotel Ullinge between Eksjö and Nässjö. In 2010 Josef Darius sold his part of the business to Gerd Ziegler, already part owner of the company. The hotel will continue to be run in the same spirit that we are widely known and appreciated for in Sweden.