The narrow strait between Hamnholmen and a piece of eastern Sydkosters shoreline, was mentioned as Korshamn already in the Middle Ages. The name probably originated from the fact that a “harbor cross” was erected on the highest point of Hamnholmen. These crosses were common along the coast as they marked inlets to good harbors.
The name Ekenäs did not come into being until the beginning of the 20th century, when a manufacturer named Julius Olsson built a large building just above Korshamn. The building was meant to accommodate overnight herring buyers, but just as the doors were opened, the herring had suddenly disappeared out to sea again and the herring fishing around the islands ended. Julius therefore instead turned to bathers who were attracted by Kosters sunny summer weather. On the plot facing the harbor, some distinctive oaks grew. Julius changed his last name to Ekner (Oakner) and the name of the guest house became Ekenäs guest house. name spread and eventually the whole area was called Ekenäs, so also the harbor.
The harbor, 1920s. The guest house can be seen among the trees in the middle of the picture. Until the 1930s, Korshamn was almost completely without proper bridges. It was shallow and most of the boats were moored on sway. But partly due to changed fishing techniques, more and more Koster residents acquired larger fishing boats and a proper port was needed with good moorings. In 1939, Korshamns fishing harbor association was formed and extensive work was started to make a real harbor. A stable pier was built as protection against the north wind and a large quay was built for the fishing boats.
Ekenäs guest house in the foreground, at the time when Korshamn fishing harbor was built. To the left is the dredger where the pier will be built.
The large quay has not yet been built, but over the treetops the gable of the new harbor reservoir can be seen.
This is exactly what the passenger boats will be adding. The harbor is protected by Hamnholmen. Soon the harbor was filled with fishing boats, not least shrimp trawlers. In the 1970s and 1980s, however, the fishing industry declined. tourism industry increased at the same time and the younger generation preferred to stay ashore. As the fishing boats left the piers, recreational boats took their old piers. In the 2000s, the port has been expanded both to the south and to the north. There is only one shrimp trawler left, while the harbor basin is flooded by recreational boats every summer. Korshamn is now better known as a “guest harbor” than as a “fishing harbor”.
