Laufenburg is an idyllic small town along the upper reaches of the Rhine River in the German State of Baden-Württemberg. It is named Laufenberg because of the “Lauffen” river rapids that once rushed passed the town. While the river rapids are gone, the town is still picture-perfect, decorated charmingly with rows of handsome houses. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a renowned German painter, poet, and dramatist was quite enamored with the town when he visited in 1797.[1] Unfortunately, the rapids are no longer around, thanks to a hydroelectric power plant that was built in the early 20th century. Not only that, but the once teeming population of salmon is gone as well. The town is also beginning to lose its old town charms. Recently, a new bridge was built to cross the Rhine. New shopping buildings have also sprung up on the east side of Laufenburg. While these two developments have helped create more jobs for the town, Laufenburg is losing some of its core appeal to tourists.[2]

References:
Kustos, Norbert, and Alice Loyson. Schönes Baden-Württemberg. Hamburg: Ellert & Richter Verlag, 1998. ISBN: 3892344523.

“Laufenberg.” < http://www.trekearth.com/viewphotos.php?l=5&p=409523>

[1] Kustos, 27
[2] Laufenberg