The earliest settlements dates back to the 12th century, but it was not until the mid 14th century that Polish King Kazimierz the Great granted rights to the town's inhabitants. The period of 15th and 17th saw development of the town due to trade and coinage manufacture located within the town's walls. IIn the aftermath of the Partition of Poland Bydgoszcz fell under the Prussian administration. New authorities took advantage of the town's location between the two adjacent river systems, Vistula and Brda as well as Noteæ and Wart and linked them with a channel. The channel, which facilitated the shipment of grain and wood, boosted the town's development as a place of trade.
In the times of the industrial revolution the town started to gain its importance on the economic map of Prussia. In 1851 the town, during those days called by its German name Bromberg, became a part of the emerging railway system and was directly connected to Berlin. This fact had a momentous influence on the town, which until now remains a strong centre of industry and commerce.