March 1809, major general Georg Adlersparre used a part of the western army that was stationed in Värmland to occupy Karlstad. From there, they officially proclaimed a revolution, and during 9 March, he and his soldiers began their march toward the capital to end the reign of king Gustav IV Adolf.

Karlstad has suffered four major fires. Only the cathedral and a few houses remained after the last fire on July 2, 1865.