The starting point for a centre in Førde can be found here in Sjøahola. The end of the fjord met a valley connecting to Angedalen, Holsen, Haukedalen and Jølster. A short distance away is also the church, with history as a church site dating back to the 12th century.

In the 1590s, the first court building in Førde was built here. Trade and guesthouses were established around the same time. At this time, only the bourgeoisie had the right to trade. The first traders were therefore Bergen citizens.

Sjøahola became a meeting place for people from along the fjord and people from the valleys. The trade went both ways: Farmers bought goods they needed and sold self-produced goods.

In addition, many tenant farmers established themselves in Sjøahola. Many were craftsmen, and the map from 1838 shows that there was a dense settlement along the road up to the church. The same development was found in comparable places such as Lærdalsøyri and Vikøyri in Sogn.

From the 17th century until well into the 19th century, Sjøahola was an administrative centre and a centre for trade and handicrafts in Førde. The last court building was built in 1844 and stood there until 1902 when it was demolished and moved to Hafstad, the new centre on the south side of the river. In addition to being a court building, the building was used as a municipal house and school. The local bank also rented rooms there after the establishment in 1842.

Activity in Sjøahola declined in the 19th century. Due to new river beds towards the end of the 18th century, the access to water transport to Sjøahola deteriorated. The fact that a new quay was built at Steinen in 1870 also did its part. Land transport became increasingly important, and the postal road was built on the south side of the river around 1785. Hafstad therefore took over more and more the functions from Sjøahola.