Hohwacht lost its original importance as a port at the end of the 19th century as a result of the newly built railway from Malente to Lütjenburg.

[2] But the railway also brought the first holidaymakers from the cities, especially to Haßberg, where the first resort was built, although it was closed again at the behest of the Neudorf estate.

Immediately after the First World War Hohwacht became a destination for artists around the painter, Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, and his biographer, Rosa Schapire, as well as Bernhard Hoetger, Curt Stoermer and Heinrich Vogeler.

Here, 200 concentration camp prisoners and 300 forced labourers from 12 countries manufactured control parts for the V-2 rocket under SS supervision.

Originally Hohwacht was dominated by agriculture and fishing, now with its qualification as a seaside health resort, tourism is the main source of income.