The site was originally established circa 1915 as the Mile 5.4 Cariboo Siding of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway.

It was relocated two miles northwest around 1920 to service a pole yard, and renamed "Craibenn Station" after railway section foreman D.A.

By the 1950s the town had a population of approximately 250 people living in 60 homes, with a church, school, community hall and general store also having been established.

It stated that it planned to build a biomass power plant and aquaponics facility on the site, and the remaining tenants were given until June 10, 2011 to move out.

The McBride & District Volunteer Fire Department was able to save the remainder of the structures, including the occupied homes, and there were no casualties.