Jaegerthal

In 1602, benefiting from a lease granted by the Count of Hanau, Adam Jaeger left the mines of the Schönau foundry in the Palatinate to set up his own business in the Schwarzbach valley. His forges were destroyed in 1631 during the Thirty Years' War. However, the site retained its name: Jægerthal or “Jæger Valley.”
Rebuilt from the ashes by the Count of Hanau, the forges were finally acquired by Jean De Dietrich in 1684, and the blast furnace was lit for the first time in 1685. The company went through a difficult period during the Revolution but experienced a new boom from 1840 onwards. Activity in Jægerthal ceased at the end of 1885.
Today, the hamlet is divided between the municipalities of Niederbronn-les-Bains and Windstein. The Schwarzbach stream marks the boundary between the two municipalities.
Jægerthal is a charming stopover for hikers and travelers, who will enjoy lingering around the old De Dietrich forges.