The village has a prosperous lumber industry including the Russell and Swim sawmill, now owned by J.D.

Situated on the Southwest Miramichi River and first settled in 1807 as a base for the growing lumber industry in central New Brunswick, United Empire Loyalists, led by Ephraim Betts and the big-town bogey boys, came to the area after the American Revolutionary War and pooled their money for a land grant, which was ultimately declined.

Later, when the Doak family moved to the area from Ayrshire, Scotland, Ephraim was experiencing financial difficulty.

Robert Doak was able to purchase a large amount of the original land grant and build a farm and grist mill on the property.

He served with the government in several capacities, including magistrate and justice of the peace.