Shaft") was the deepest shaft in the world, over 780 metres (2,559 ft) deep.
The mining of copper and silver continued until the 18th century. In 1875, the construction of the Gisela Railway linked St. Johann to the international railway network, with the result that the economy boomed and tourism began to take hold. In 1927 Oberndorf and St. Johann split and from this time onwards Oberndorf became a separate parish.
In 1954, St. Johann received its own Coat of Arms; in 1956, St. Johann reached the elevated status of a market town
