In 1742 following Silesian wars, Mikołów was incorporated into Prussia and remained under the rule of Hohenzollern family until 1918.

The town was struck by disaster which destroyed the property of its residents. 14th century witnessed unusually cold winters, crop failures and famine. In years 1349-1350 the town was struck by the black death which killed one-third of its residents. Destruction, poverty and death were common during the Thirty Years’ War in the 17th century.

18th century turned out to be even more tragic. The beginning of the Prussian rule over Silesia was the time of destruction caused by military activities. It was also the time when Mikołów was struck by earthquakes, locust plagues and destructive windstorms.
As if this wasn’t enough, in 1794 the biggest fire in the town’s history broke out, it consumed most houses, a school, hospital and the town hall along with the archives. It was a disaster not only for town residents of the time but also for historians who lost an invaluable source of information.

Following each tragedy people struggled to get back on their feet and rebuild the town. The new town hall however was erected only one year after the great fire. Just like the previous town hall, the new building was located in the center of the main square. The outline of its foundations may still be found on the main square today.

Crop failures which happened  several times in this and the next centuries resulted in famine and epidemics. Most tragic famine and epidemics struck the town in the 19th century, with most people killed by typhus fever which broke out in 1847 following potato crop failure lasting for several years. In 1848 there were already 2507 orphans in Pszczyna district who didn’t even have distant relatives who could take care of them. Orphanages were created for those children, including one in Mikołów.