It was created in 2002 by merging the town of Ermsleben with the former municipalities of Endorf, Meisdorf, Neuplatendorf, Pansfelde, Reinstedt und Wieserode.

The town is situated on the northeastern edge of the Harz mountain range, about 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Aschersleben.

While the settlements of Endorf, Reinstedt and Wieserode in the Saxon Schwabengau were already mentioned in the 10th century, Ermsleben is documented as Anegremislebo in a 1045 deed, then a possession held by the edelfrei Lords of Konradsburg Castle.

In 1070 one Egeno I of Konradsburg accused the mighty Saxon count Otto of Nordheim of a conspiracy against King Henry IV.

While its citizens turned Protestant and the Halberstadt prince-bishopric was ruled by Brandenburg and Brunswick-Lüneburg administrators, the town was devastated in the Thirty Years' War.