The glacial river Jokulsa a Dal has been bridged on the Fossvellir property for centuries on end and during most of the time this was the only bridge in the country.  The Hansa League tradesmen financed the reconstruction of the bridge around the turn of the 17^th century.  The so-called Wooden Bridge Parliament assembled there in earlier times.  In the early 20^th century road workers discovered a skeleton just east of the bridge.  Many thought it might be the earthly remains of a silver merchant, who disappeared and the farmer at Fossvellir was suspected of murder.

In the early 20^th century a farmer named Gunnar Jonsson, the half-brother of Rev. Sigurjon of Kirkjubaer, lived at Fossvellir.  He was renowned for his fables and once he told the following story:

“When I was once riding my favourite mare between farms, a stud came galloping and wanted to have its way with my mare.  I tried to drive it away, but eventually it pushed me out of the saddle.  I was quick enough to put my hat between it and the mare and saw it disappear into the mare.  When the time came a foal was born, and, believe me or not, it was wearing my hat.”