In 124 AD a Roman bridge was built over the Thur. Later, a ferry operated until 1453 when a bridge was built in Thurrain (part of Rothenhausen). However, through the following centuries traffic remained light and the village experienced little economic growth. In 1882, the Ganggelisteg bridge was built. It was exclusively for pedestrians and brought only limited economic improvement. Since 1912-13 a viaduct of the Mittel-Thurgau-Bahn rail line, has spanned the "Furtbach" valley. Originally, the main economic activities were grain cultivation in a three-field system and some vineyards. In the 19th Century this shifted to cattle and dairy farming and fruit cultivation. Most of the commercial activity was in linen and cotton weaving, and later handicrafts. Since 1963, Stadler Fahrzeuge AG produces their electric railway rolling stock.