A Coastal Home for Norwegian Heritage and Heart
Welcome to Nidaros Lodge #16
Deep roots. Strong community. Living heritage.
Nestled on the scenic Oregon Coast, Nidaros Lodge No. 16 is one of Oregon’s oldest continuously operating Sons of Norway lodge, founded on April 18, 1910. For over a century, we’ve been a cultural anchor for Clatsop County's vibrant Norwegian-American and Scandinavian community—celebrating tradition, fostering fellowship, and building lasting connections.
Who We Are: Part of a Global Community, Nidaros Lodge is proud to be part of the larger Sons of Norway a fraternal organization with a mission to promote and preserve Norwegian and Nordic culture, while offering valuable insurance and financial products to members. With nearly 400 lodges across the U.S., Canada, and Norway and over 57,000 members, it is the largest Norwegian organization outside of Norway.
Events & Traditions: Celebrating Culture. Connecting Generations.
Nidaros Lodge has long been a hub for cultural celebration and community outreach. We host beloved traditions such as:
Crab feed dinners
Children’s holiday craft and cooking days
Nearly 60 years of youth camps
Lefse-making days and the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Booth
Support for local sports through Seaside Kids at Norway Field
Special lodge events with traditional Norwegian foods and music
These gatherings preserve our heritage and pass on cherished skills, stories, and flavors from one generation to the next.
Looking Ahead: 200 Years of Norwegian Immigration
This year, we join in commemorating 200 years since the first organized Norwegian immigration to North America. In places like Astoria, where early Scandinavian settlers helped shape the region’s coastal identity, that legacy is alive and well. Nidaros Lodge continues to honor that tradition—supporting youth, celebrating heritage, and bringing people together in the spirit of community.
Our History: A Legacy Rooted in Tradition and Determination
At our very first meeting, 30 members were initiated, with 19 more joining just six days later. Many of these pioneers hailed from Trøndelag, the heart of Norway and home to Nidaros—the Viking capital founded by King Olav Trygvason in 995. Our name is a proud tribute to those deep roots.
Early meetings took place in various halls around Astoria, including a former soap factory in Scow Bay, where Columbia Memorial Hospital now stands. In 1935, after years of transience, lodge members purchased 10 acres overlooking the beautiful Necanicum Estuary between Seaside and Gearhart.
What followed is the stuff of legend: members dismantled the soap factory, hauled it 18 miles over rough country roads, and reassembled it board by board on the new site. It was a massive undertaking for the time, powered by sheer dedication and community spirit. The result was Norse Hall, which still stands as a testament to their determination.