History
Of the seven East Frisian islands, Norderney is the youngest. The island has only existed in its present form since the middle of the 16th century, being the eastern remnant of the larger island Buise. The larger island of Buise was split into two parts during the Grote Mandrenke flood of 1362, the eastern half at first being called Ostrende. What was left of Buise shrunk in size over the years and finally disappeared into the North Sea during the St. Peter's Flood of 1651. Ostrende, on the other hand, grew in size, and is noted in a 1550 census as "Norder neys Oog" (Northern New Island), and having a church and 18 houses. The inhabitants at this time worked principally as fishermen. In the second half of the 18th century the sea trade industry grew in importance. Next to fishing, tourism became important to the island economy. In 1797, Norderney became the first German resort on the North Sea.
- Norderney timeline
- 13th-14th centuries — There are no sources concerning the first settlements on Norderney, but it is believed that the first durable settlements were established during the 13th and 14th centuries. A town developed in the western part of the island, protected by high dunes.
- 1398 — First documented mention of the island.
- 1650 — The island is about 8.3 km long and the town has about 18 houses and 101 inhabitants.
- 1717 — Severe storm flood. (Christmas Flood)
- 1744 to 1806 — East Frisia and its islands belong to Prussia.
- 1797 — Founding of a resort on the island. Meeting and bath houses were built. The resort offered bathing machines for men and women. Islanders boarded guests in their houses.
- 1799 — One of the first wooden, straw covered resort houses was built.
- 1800 — Official opening of the resort with 250 guests.
- 1806 — Napoleon defeats Prussia. East Frisia becomes part of the Kingdom of Holland. The resort operation comes to a standstill.
- 1811 — Reopening of the resort with 618 guests.
- 1819 — "Royal Institute of Seabathing."
- 1830 — Shellfish harvesting becomes the most important activity of the islanders.
- 1836 — Crown Prince Georg of Hannover, Herzog von Cumberland, visits Norderney for the first time and from 1851 holds court each summer on the island. During this time the resort gained a strong following of the rich and famous.
- 1858 — A 950 meter long deck with Promenade is built.
- 1862 — Building of the island's Windmill.
- 1866 — Prussia annexes the Kingdom of Hanover. Norderney becomes again a Royal Prussian sea bathing establishment.
- 1899 — The island has 4,018 inhabitants and 26,000 resort guests. Norderney features a number of improvements, including a hospital, central school building, a water system, electricity for the promenade, stables, gas works, and a pier.
- 1901 — Establishment of the angelfish catching operation.
- 1914 — Resort operations ceased due to the Great War.
- 1919 — The resort re-opens, but with only 14,000 guests.
- 1921 — The city of Norderney and the northern German Lloyd rent the resort.
- 1925 — 5,564 inhabitants and 38,140 guests. Deutsche Luft Hansa commences scheduled flights to the island.
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