Muskedalen in 1955, the buildings have now been demolished. Behind lies the Nordengen farm, and Holterdalen can be glimpsed far behind.

Muskedalen as a homestead:

Ole Engebretsen was probably the first homesteader on the Muskedalen farm. When Marthe died (in 1773) they had 1 horse, 1 cow and 3 goats on the farm. The gross assets were 15 riksdaler and the debt was 17 riksdaler. Ole was probably on Muskedalen until around 1780.

Engebret Gundersen and Ragnhild Madsdatter were homesteaders on Muskedalen from around 1780 until they bought the farm in 1792.

Muskedalen as a freehold farm:

Engebret Gundersen was a homesteader on Muskedalen from around 1780, and bought the farm from Torer Fløter in 1792 for 120 riksdaler. At the time of the division, Muskedalen was considered capable of feeding 2 cows and 2 sheep. There was enough land to sow 2 barrels of grain and pasture and forest for household needs. When Ragnhild Madsdatter died in 1799, a probate was held. The registration of the estate tells what the family had in terms of household goods, livestock and tools. Of livestock they had 1 horse, 2 cows, 1 calf, 3 sheep and 1 lamb. Of furniture they had 1 corner cupboard, 2 hanging cupboards, table with drawer, stool, chair and an unpainted sofa. There are also 2 silver buttons and 3 pewter dishes. Silver items were almost unusual in a small place that was almost a homestead. The economy was unusually good, with a gross fortune of 314 riksdaler and a net fortune of 201 riksdaler.

In 1803 Engebret bought Nordre Bråtnes from his brother-in-law Hans Torsesen Fløter. The place was to be a maternity ward for Engebret's mother-in-law, Else Olsdatter. Else died in 1804, and Engebret was to use both properties. Although Engebret had two small farms, he probably made his living as a craftsman. In the deed after Engebret, planes, adzes, saws, axes, chisels and grindstones are mentioned. He had 1 horse, 3 cows, 1 heifer and 1 goat. The gross wealth was 269 spesidals and the net wealth was 122 spesidals. During the deed, it was decided that the eldest son, Johannes, would take over Bråtenes and that the widow Helene would keep the Muskedalen. She looked after the property as long as she lived. Torer Engebretsen and his wife Johanne Nilsdatter took over Muskedalen after their mother died in 1863 and kept it until 1885. In 1875, Torer's daughter, Maren Oline, and her husband, Karl Andreassen lived in Muskedalen. Andreas Olsen bought Muskedalen in 1885, but had lived there since 1881. Muskedalen was then bought and sold a number of times.

Farming on Muskedalen:
1802: 2 cattle and 1 sheep
1819: 1 cattle
1835: 1 cattle
1845: 2 cattle and 1 sheep
1865: 2 cattle and 1 sheep
1875: 1 cattle and 1 calf

Seed in barrels (140 liters):
1802: 1 ½ oats
1819: ½ total seed
1835: ½ oats and ½ potatoes
1845: 1/8 barley, 1 oats, 1 potatoes
1865: 1/8 barley, 1 ½ oats, 2 potatoes
1875: ¼ barley, 1 oats, 2 potatoes

Muskedalen was farmed until Salomon Danielsen sold during the last world war. Later the land was leased to the owner of Fløter until the 1960s, when the land was planted with forest. The houses at Muskedalen have been demolished, and where the barn building stood, a log cabin has been erected. The main building had one room and a kitchen made of timber and a later addition of a living room made of frame.

Oscar Onsaker owner of Muskedalen from 1941.