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How was Bremerhaven formed from several separate towns?

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Bremen Statue of Roland, Bremen, Germany.

The city of Bremerhaven was formed through the amalgamation of three distinct towns:1

Bremerhaven: Founded in 1827 by the burgomaster of Bremen, Johann Smidt, on territory ceded by Hanover to serve as a port for Bremen.1
Geestemünde: Established by Hanover in 1845 as a competitor to the original Bremerhaven.1
Lehe: A medieval borough that attained town status in 1920.1

The process of unification occurred in stages:
1. In 1924, Lehe and Geestemünde merged to form the town of Wesermünde.1
2. In 1939, Wesermünde absorbed the original town of Bremerhaven under Prussian jurisdiction.1

Following World War II, this unified city was restored to the state of Bremen in 1947 and has since been known as Bremerhaven.12