Valkeakoski is best known for its paper industry and domestically highly successful football team, FC Haka.

More than a thousand years ago, the ridges on the area served as a foundation of the Rapola fort.

However, industrialization towards the end of the 19th century increased the importance of what became the contemporary town of Valkeakoski.

The channel of Valkeakoski was opened in 1869, and the first paper mill was completed in 1873, marking the beginning of a continuing tradition of the forest industry.

The other major local sports organization Koskenpojat has also been really successful, winning many national championships in aerobic gymnastics.