History
Herisau was first mentioned in 837, its church in 907. In 1084 Herisau was destroyed as part of battles around the monastery in St. Gallen. In 1248 and 1249 the town was destroyed again, this time by the monastery to establish loyalty. In 1401 Herisau joined an alliance with other places in Appenzell.
Between 1517 and 1518 Herisau managed to buy itself free from the monastery. The town hall was buil in 1601. In 1606 the town was largely destroyed by a fire. In 1648 Schwellbrunn separates and becomes an independent village. Between 1798 and 1803 Herisau is the capital of the canton Säntis.
Economy
Herisau is located in the centre of eastern Switzerland. As early as 1537 it established itself as an important centre of trade and commerce.