Gullfoss was almost sold at the beginning of the 20th century.
In 1907, an Englishman wanted to buy the waterfall, but Tómas, the farmer who owned half of it, refused. He was then tricked into signing a 150-year lease, which was then sold to foreigners. Tómas's daughter, Sigríður, fought tirelessly to save Gullfoss, walking long distances to Reykjavik, meeting with officials, and defending the waterfall.
The hydroelectric plant was never built, and in 1928 the contract was voided due to non-payment. Sigríður is remembered as Iceland's first environmentalist.