Halla is an island in the city area of Kotka. The sawmill established in 1876 and other industrial activity created a worker community here and to the neighboring island Tiutinen. Owned by Norwegians the sawmill prospered so that in 1903 a pulp mill was built to the island and production became integrated industry. Sawing continued under management of Kymi Oy to the 1980's. Mill was shutdown, and unfortunately, also demolished in 1986.

Many buildings originated from the sawmill survived the first demolitions after closing. These were a sauna-building, power station with water tower and canteen. A bit south there were huge drying kilns and storage buildings. The killer relic from forest industry age on the island, a pulp mill, was demolished before out visit to out great annoyance (whoever is behind this, damn you!).

There are also other interesting things, but they've been placed into more suitable categories on our site (water works, miscellaneous & railways). However, recent news from Halla have been diplorable. A building after another has disappeared from this formerly very fine area. There might not be too much to see here in the future, but it certainly was once a nice area to visit.