Janakkala has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as evidenced by numerous archaeological finds. New discoveries have been made up until recent years. In 2013, a skeleton referred to as the swordman, two swords, and other artifacts were found in Hyvikkälä, as well as a large Viking-era cremation cemetery in the fall of 2022.

Janakkala also boasts several castle hills, the most well-known of which is Hakoisten Linnavuori. It was only in 2013 that the nearby Hangastenmäki was also recognized as a castle hill.

Later, manors significantly influenced the landscape and economy of Janakkala, making it one of the richest municipalities in Finland in terms of manors.

Notable manors in Janakkala include:

• Hakoisten Manor
• Harviala Manor
• Hiiden Manor
• Hyvikkälä / Hällilä Manor
• Irjala Manor
• Kernaala Manor
• Konttila Manor
• Kuumola Manor
• Leppäkoski Manor
• Löyttymäki Manor
• Monikkala Manor
• Rehakka Manor
• Sauvala Manor
• Tervakoski Manor
• Toiva Manor
• Vanantaa Manor
• Virala Manor

The later development of Janakkala was significantly affected by Finland’s first railway, which was opened in 1862. Janakkala industrialized very early as a rural municipality. Tervakoski emerged around a paper mill established in 1818, Leppäkoski grew based on brick production, and Turenki later developed around sugar and ice cream factories established there. The history of Tervakoski can be explored on the Paperiruukki pages.

In 2015, a work on the history of Janakkala was published, written by Jarmo Peltola: The Municipality of the Main Line and the Third Road. The book is for sale in Janakkala libraries and at the municipal office.

You can also explore the history of Janakkala at the Laurinmäki crofter museum.

Famous historical figures from Janakkala include:

Ida Aalberg

Ida Aalberg was the first real star of Finnish-language theatre. She was born in Leppäkoski, Janakkala, as the second oldest child of Antti Ahlberg, a groom at the manor, and his wife Charlotta Lindroos. Antti Ahlberg moved in the 1850s to build the Helsinki-Hämeenlinna railway and was appointed as the track master, at which point the family moved to their own cottage located along the railway.

More about Ida on the museum’s pages.

Uno Cygnaeus

Uno Cygnaeus was born in Hämeenlinna on October 12, 1810. He spent his childhood in Janakkala at the Leppäkoski manor, which was owned by his father. Uno became a Master of Philosophy in 1836 and was ordained as a priest in 1837. Throughout his career, he worked, among other things, as a priest in America and as a prison chaplain. All these experiences influenced his views and shaped Finnish elementary education. He became familiar with the educational world as a teacher and seminar director in Jyväskylä. In 1870, he became the chief inspector of elementary schools and a member of the school board.

The “Father of Finnish Elementary School” believed in practical education. He particularly emphasized manual skills and the need to complement religion with other subjects. He highlighted the importance of physical education and practical subjects. Additionally, he believed in women’s education and stressed girls’ right to study. He saw education as a means to reduce class differences among people.

At the inauguration of the Leppäkoski school in 1883, he delivered a speech stating that he had followed the development of the elementary school issue in his childhood home with “joy and a sense of nobility.” In 1966, during the centenary celebration of the Finnish-language elementary school, a memorial statue of Uno Cygnaeus was unveiled in the yard of the Leppäkoski school. Uno Cygnaeus died at a rather advanced age on October 15, 1888.