The village has been in significant decline as a result of urbanization. In 2011, every fifth house was vacant in Hjøllund, though a convenience store remains open.[1] The village has become increasingly reliant upon neighboring communities and has begun outsourcing its water from the village of Hampen.[2] A proposed highway that would run nearby may revitalize the village in the future.[3][4]
History
On September 16, 1913, a labor colony named Godrum was opened by the Arbejde Adler Organization.[5] By 1917, the colony had expanded to 12 buildings with room for 40 men. The so-called "colonists" were largely employed in forestry. In 2009, there was a fire at the facility's hay barn.[6] Godrum remained open as a "welfare home" until 2016.[7][8]
Hjøllund had a train station on the railroad Diagonalbanen from 1920 until 1971.[9] After the station's closure, freight traffic between Brande and Hjøllund continued until 1989.[10] In 1992, the railway was handed over to the Danish Nature Agency, which then established the Funder-Ejstrup nature trail.[11][12][13] The former station's building is located at 2 Viborg Hovedvej.
During the second world war, German occupants constructed a weapons depot near the railway.[14] The depot was one of their largest in Denmark and was known as ”Feldluftmunitionslager 6/XI” and ”Christianshede Ammunitions Depot”.[15] Allegedly, the German occupants called the region "Christianshede" because "Hjøllund" was difficult to pronounce.[16] In 1945, the facilities were repurposed as Kærshovedgård prison. The area also housed a camp for German refugees.[17][18]
Hærvejskroen, a former inn in Hjøllund, was at one time popular but has since foreclosed multiple times.[19][20] Since 2016, a gravel quarry has been excavated east of the village to the frustration of locals.[21]
