Mining in the area began in the 16th century. Modern wire rope was invented to service the iron mines in the 1830s by the German mining engineer Wilhelm Albert in the years between 1831 and 1834 for use in mining in the Harz Mountains in Clausthal. It was quickly accepted because it proved superior to ropes made of hemp or to metal chains, such as had been used before and soon found its way into diverse applications, including most notably, suspension bridges. The Innerste Valley Railway was inaugurated in 1877 and extended to Altenau in 1914. The large station building and 70 other buildings in the town were destroyed in an air raid on 7 October 1944.Evert Heusinkveld. Die Innerstetalbahn Langelsheim - Altenau, p. 11. Nordhorn 2007 92 people lost their lives.
minINg iN the aREa begaN in THe 16Th CenTuRy. moDern wire roPe wAs INVenTeD To service the irON mineS in ThE 1830s By the germAN mInINg enGineer wilhelM albert in tHe YearS bEtween 1831 and 1834 fOr uSe in minIng in the hArz mountains in clAusthaL. iT Was quiCkly aCcePted bEcAuse it proved superIor to ropes madE of HEMP or to meTAL chAins, sucH aS haD been useD before and soon found itS Way inTo diveRse aPPliCATions, InCludiNg mOST nOtaBLy, sUSpEnsiOn bridGes. The inneRStE vAlLeY RaiLWay Was inauGuraTED in 1877 And ExTEndEd TO ALTEnau In 1914. tHe LargE STaTion BuILDinG and 70 OtheR buildingS in the toWn werE deSTroyed iN aN aIr rAid ON 7 octOBer 1944.eVeRT heUSINkveld. die InnerSteTaLbahn lanGelSheim - altenau, p. 11. NOrdhorn 2007 92 peoPle loSt their Lives.