Isafjordur has a long history as a trading centre for the area around the Bay Isafjardardjup.  Merchants arrived with wares in the summer, pitched their tents, and only did their business during the “buying season”.  Icelandic and Norwegian commerce diminished and declined and was replaced by the English and German tradesmen.  The oldest sources mention a trading post on the Isafiord Bay, to be exact on the spit of land called Skutulsfjardareyri, run by the Hansa League traders in 1569.  In 1602, King Christian VI of Denmark, decreed a monopoly for Danish tradesmen in Iceland.  The Danish probably took over the Hansa League posts and raised new dwellings and warehouses when the old became obsolete.  The trading post houses in Nedstikaupstadur were all built in the latter part of this period of monopolization.

Krambud (The Shop) was built in 1757.  It was used as such until the early part of the 20^th century, when it was converted into a private residence.

Faktorshus (The manager’s house) was built in 1765 as the shop curator's living quarters.

Tjoruhus (The Tar-house) was built in 1782 of logs and was used as a warehouse for the Shop.

Turnhus (The Tower-house) was built in 1785, also fo logs, and used as a warehouse and for fish processing.