Hoorn was built on a natural harbor in the 14th century. It became one of the major bases for the Dutch East India Company in the 17th century. Merchant ships brought back spices and all sorts of exotic items from the Baltic and the West Indies. During this time Hoorn was a rich international town. The prosperity is still visible in the buildings today.

The Dutch East India Company helped make the Netherlands one of the greatest economic powers at the time. It's possible that it was the first multi national corporation with it's own money and a navy.

Hoorn was the birthplace of Willem Schouten (1580-1625) who discovered Cape Horn in 1616 and named it after his native town.