Sanford in Seminole County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Dala Horse
Museum Of Seminole County History
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, August 7, 2021
1. The Dala Horse Marker
The Dala Horse can be traced back to Dalarna, Sweden, where peasants carved the first ones as gifts for the children at Christmas. Later, disabled artisans handcrafted the little wooden horses specifically to sell. The horses became widely known in Sweden when a family of Vattnas artists began carving and distributing them through migrant peddlers.
In 1939, the first Dala Horses appeared in America at the New York World’s Fair. Sven Markelius is credited with the mass production of the “Horses of Dalarna” and over time the little horses have become a national folk art symbol of Sweden.
The big Dala Horse you are looking at stands as a symbol to Seminole County’s Swedish Heritage and was donated to the museum by Teri Patterson, a local Swedish descendant.
(all visitors including children; please do not stand or sit on the horse)
Erected by Museum Of Seminole County History.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.
Location. 28° 44.605′ N, 81° 17.96′ W. Marker is in Sanford, Florida, in Seminole County. Marker can be reached
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Oviedo Turntable (a few steps from this marker); Fixed Signal (a few steps from this marker); Osteen Bridge Turner (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Folks Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Seminole County Courthouses (approx. 0.3 miles away); United States Armed Forces Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Lake Mary Historic Sites (approx. 1.7 miles away); First Presbyterian Church of Lake Mary (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sanford.
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, August 7, 2021
2. The Dala Horse Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 206 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 8, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
