Nakło began to develop as a Pomeranian settlement by the middle of the 10th century.
Between 1109 and 1113 it fell to Duke Bolesław III Wrymouth of Poland. It received German
town law privileges in 1299.
Nakło was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia during the First Partition of Poland in 1772
and known by the German name Nakel. It began to develop significantly after the completion
of the Bydgoszcz Canal, which connected the Vistula with the Noteć, Warta, and Oder Rivers.
After the defeat of Prussia in the Napoleonic War of the Fourth Coalition, Nakło became part
of the Duchy of Warsaw in 1807. After the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815, it was
restored to Prussia in the Congress of Vienna as part of the autonomous Grand Duchy of
Posen.
During the course of 19th century industrialization, Nakło developed further after being
connected with the Prussian Eastern Railway in 1851. It became part of the Prussian-led
German Empire in 1871.
The town became part of the Second Polish Republic according to the Treaty of Versailles
following World War I. From 1939 to 1945 Nakło was occupied by Nazi Germany during
World War II.
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