In the middle of the 19th century, many people from the Bergisches Land left Hitdorf harbor to emigrate to America. The place was first mentioned 500 years ago as a Rhine port: A gravel bank in front of Hutdorp forms a natural barrier, so that ships sailing upstream have to be unloaded. As goods transport and handling frequency continue to increase as a result of industrialization, the port experienced its heyday with more than 200 employees, and a match and cigar factory settled here. There has been a marina with two yacht clubs since 1975.
In the 19th century, Hitdorf was an important hub for the expanding trade. Here the goods from the Bergisches Land were shipped and vice versa the supply of the region landed. In addition, the then independent city on the Rhine was home to important factories. There were several beer breweries and tobacco factories and Hitdorf was known for making matches. Match production began as "homework", but was relocated to smaller factories after 1842 for safety reasons.
Source: rheinland.info/themen/natur/poi-detailseite-natur/poi/15137/hitdorfer-hafen/index.html