The city of Laufenburg encompasses also Binzgen, Grunholz, Hauenstein, Hochsal, Luttingen, Rhina, Rotzel, Stadenhausen.

The city was well placed on major rapids of the Rhine, which allowed the town to collect taxes as well as catch salmon.

In the early 20th century the rapids were demolished in order to build a hydroelectric power plant.

For reasons of politics and budgets, Switzerland and Germany each constructed half the bridge, rather than one unified contractor doing everything.

The result is that height above sea level differs by 270 millimetres (0.89 ft) between the two references.