The name 'Vorden' occurred for the first time in documents from 1121 AD. The town has long had a predominantly agricultural function. At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century this started to change, when some industry and self-employed started to flourish.
Vorden is known for its eight castles: Vorden (that served as town-hall), Onstein, Medler, Hackfort, Kieftskamp, Wierse, Wildenborg and Den Bramel.
Vorden has got a train station on the railway between Zutphen and Winterswijk.
