There were several homesteaders in the early 1880s, but the tract upon which the City is situated was conveyed by Alfred Kidder (1879) to Andrew Young in 1894. Eight years later, it came into the possession of Edwin H. Piper and in turn was acquired by Douwe Gaastra, a building contractor and real estate spectator who had just completed the construction of the Palatka School, in 1908. Mr. Gaastra proceeded to plat the land and offered the lots for immediate sale. The location was ideal for employees of the neighboring mines and many took advantage of the opportunity to secure a homesite.

The village grew and by 1913 there were four business establishments-a grocery, a dry goods store and two saloons. The post office was established in 1914. Transportation to adjoining communities was provided in 1915 with the extension of the Iron River, Stambaugh and Crystal Falls Street Railway lines to the village. A hall was erected and a water system established with arrangements for the neccessary water made with the Spring Valley Mining Company. The village government was established in October 1919. Expansion of the settlement was restricted by the boundaries of the mining interests. The population now is about 400 with seven active business located within city limit; however, growth has declined as with other Iron County communities with the passing of the iron ore industry from the scene.