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, his place of activity retained its name: the Jægerthal or "Jæger Valley".
Raised from the ashes by the Count of Hanau, the forges were finally acquired by Jean De Dietrich in 1684, and the blast furnace fired for the first time in 1685. The company fell on hard times during the French Revolution, but enjoyed a new lease of life from 1840 onwards. Activity in Jægerthal ceased at the end of 1885.
Today, the hamlet is spread across the municipal boundaries of Niederbronn-les-Bains and Windstein. The Schwarzbach stream marks the boundary between the two districts.
Jægerthal is a charming stopover for hikers and travelers, who will enjoy lounging around the old De Dietrich forges.