Allschwil was part of the "Herrschaft" of Birseck, which was given in 1004 as an imperial donation to the Bishop of Basel. Through the middle of the 15th century the "Herrschaft" was often pawned and sold. The town of Allschwil was located along the Alsace-Solothurn via Passwang pass trading route along the border. Its location on the border and trade route allowed Allschwil to grow into an important customs facility. After 1724 it housed the northern salt warehouse of the vogtei of the diocese of Basel. Allschwil was one of the seven so-called free villages ("Vagantes extra civitate Basiliensem") and was therefore under the parish of St. John's Chapel at Basel's cathedral for baptism and high church festivals.