Värnamo is a town in Småland, Sweden, and the seat of Värnamo Municipality in Jönköping County. Värnamo traces its history back to a village in the medieval age; the first written mention of it stems from the 13th century. It came into existence as a village to the eastern side of a fordable place over the River Lagan, a river that for large parts is difficult to travel by. As there are also smaller streams to the south and west of this location, it was considered something of a safeguard, leading to its name being Värn , which means safeguard, and mo which is a geographical location reference to the ground spruce trees grow on. It came to be the centre of the Östbo Härad (Old jurisdicial area "tax"), and a seat of merchancy; and was given formal rights as such when it became a köping in 1659, falling under the jurisdiction of the city of Jönköping. The town of Värnamo was insignificant for a long time, but with the Swedish population growth and industrialization in the 19th century it expanded, becoming an independent köping in 1859. Dense forests and industrial water power spurned the furniture industry and forges run by water power. The Swedish railroad nets spurred to enhance its industrial life, leading to a population increasing from 1,141 people in 1910 to 3,664 in 1920, and making it significant enough to get the title of a city on November 1, 1920, whereby it became one of the now only historical Cities of Sweden. The chosen city arms depicts the traditional location by the Lagan. One of Varnamo's celebreties is Bruno Mathsson, who is well known for his furniture designs. A permanent exhibition of a selection of his work can be found at the Bruno Mathsson Centre, located next to the beautiful Apple Valley "Apladalen".