 In the 19th century, especially referring to the battle that occurred on 23 November 1847 during the Sonderbund War or sometimes the battle of 5 June 1653 during the Swiss peasant war of 1653, the town was often (erroneously) called "Gislikon".Gisikon has an area of .Of this area, 50% is used for agricultural purposes, while 20% is forested.