the west-east route from aschaffenburg to würzburg gained in importance in the 18th century, resulting in the establishment by mainz of a fortified road through the spessart and an overland mail station at hessenthal around 1800. it prospered until a new route from lohr to aschaffenburg via hain (now part of laufach) was established. in 1854, the ludwig western railway was built, shifting transit traffic to the railway.