Schoonebeek became an independent municipality in 1884. In 1943, oil was discovered in the neighbourhood of Schoonebeek. The population successfully sabotaged the wells which prevented the Germans from knowing much oil was underneath the ground.
Schoonebeek's independence in 1884 set the stage for future events. In 1943, oil was found in the area surrounding Schoonebeek. The local population's efforts to disrupt the wells thwarted the Germans' plans to exploit this resource.