Kongsberg, Bragernes and Strømsø

To the west, Eiker bordered Kongsberg, which in the latter half of the 18th century was the country's second largest city – only Bergen was larger. At the opposite end were Bragernes and Strømsø. Both were formally subordinate to Christiania, but still had full market town privileges and were one of the country's most important export ports, especially for lumber.

The proximity to these two large cities influenced the farming community in Eiker.

• Kongsberg

• Bragernes

• Stromso

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Royal Road and Waterway

"The Silver Road" is a new name for the important road that was built between Kongsberg and Drammen in the 1620s. It has had many different names, but the most common was probably "The King's Road". Transport along this route, especially to the Kongsberg Silverworks warehouse, was an important industry for many in Eiker. Much of this transport was also provided by "røyerter", who transported goods on the Storelva and Vestfosselva rivers. All this traffic, both by land and by water, provided the basis for coach stations, guesthouses and inns.

• The magazine run

• Inns and guesthouses

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Mines at Eiker

Large parts of the village lay within the circumference of Kongsberg Sølvverk, which operated a sharpening plant and had several mining areas on Eiker. The most important was the Skarragruvene, which was a workplace for between 60 and 100 miners. In addition, there was a significant ironworks at Skotselv - Hasselverket - and at the other end of Eikeren was Eidsfos ironworks.

• The Silver Mines at Eiker

• Hassel and Eidsfos Ironworks