Iwerson (Gus) interview

• Main Authors: Iwerson, Gus, Sundberg, Gerda; Sundberg, Edward F.
• Format: Audio
• Language: English
• Published: 1976
• Subjects: Iceland
• Online Access: http://cdm16786.contentdm.oclc.org:80/cdm/ref/collection/ohc/id/162

Iceland Gus Iwerson is an Icelandic immigrant who settled in Point Roberts, Washington. He speaks about his childhood in Iceland and immigration to North America, and describes the settlement of Point Roberts in the early 1900s. Near the end of the interview, the Sundbergs travel to an old salmon cannery that Mr. Iwerson runs as a nightclub. Mr. Sundberg gives a detailed description of the dancehall, dining area, and decor in the nightclub. Subject timestamps: (0:20) Early family history, (1:04) Coming to North America as a teenager, learning English, (1:46) Description of house in Iceland, (4:17) Father's work as store keeper, blacksmith, (5:28) Language skills- Icelandic, Danish, Swedish, English, (6:13) Family's immigration to Winnipeg in 1912, (7:50) Description of Saskatchewan, (8:06) Move to Vancouver, move to US in 1914, (9:16) Work as salmon fisherman, (10:04) First Icelanders settling in Point Roberts, (11:14) Attending school in Iceland, (11:36) Childhood- illness, games, hunting, (14:10) School activities, story of weather balloons, (16:30) Living in Denmark, (18:11) Description of Point Roberts after first arriving, (20:46) Farmers in Point Roberts, (21:40) Obtaining US citizenship, military service at Camp Kolding, (23:14) Description of old cannery turned into nightclub, (29:38) Destruction of old canneries in storm This accession is part of the Scandinavian Archives Project. The Sundberg Nordic Oral History Collection was a project emphasizing Scandinavian emigration and settlement in the US. The interviews were taped by Edward and Gerda Sundberg during a sabbatical from Cabrillo College in 1976. Sundberg I-22 To request a high resolution or uncompressed reproduction, or to obtain permission to use any portion of this item, contact the University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections. Email: [e-mail]. Please reference the Digital ID Number.