[5] This prosperity was caused by the fact that Etten was a centre for the production of peat,[6] and Leur was a local trading port, as it had a harbour.

Decline in economic importance marked both villages during the nineteenth century.

In 1836 Arnold Damen left Leur in order to work as a missionary in the United States.

During World War II, the two villages were freed from German occupation in late October 1944 by elements of the U.S. 104th Infantry Division.

The economic decline was halted when, in 1950, the Dutch government decided to encourage population growth and industrial development.