Solvang in Santa Barbara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Solvang Founders

Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 31, 2026

1. Solvang Founders Marker

Inscription. Solvang (Danish for 'sunny field') was founded in 1911 by three Danish immigrants: Reverend Benedict Nordentoft, Reverend Jens M. Gregersen, and Professor Peder P. Hornsyld who all shared a dream of establishing a Danish town.

THE COPENHAGEN HOUSE was originally built by Danish immigrants as a bank in 1913 and also housed the offices for the Danish-American Colony Company. The building. burned down in 1925 and was rebuilt in 1926. Visit Elverhøj Museum of History & Art to learn more about Solvang's history.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.

Location. 34° 35.7′ N, 120° 8.414′ W. Marker is in Solvang, California, in Santa Barbara County. It is at the intersection of Copenhagen Drive and 1st Street, on the right when traveling east on Copenhagen Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1660 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang CA 93463, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Central Coast,

specifically

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on the Coast Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Solvang Theater Festival (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Solvang Park War Memorial (about 300 feet away); Solvang, California (about 400 feet away); Bit O' Denmark (about 500 feet away); Mission Santa Inéz (approx. ¼ mile away); Express Wagon (approx. 3.6 miles away); Coast Line Stage Company Mud Wagon (approx. 3.6 miles away); Los Olivos 1887 (approx. 5.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Solvang.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 31, 2026

2. Solvang Founders Marker

Solvang Founders and marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 31, 2026

3. Solvang Founders and marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2026, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 8, 2026, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.