In the past it was a lumbermill town and once had three mills in operation, a bank, hotel, soda shop, jail, and several grocery stores and bars.

It formerly supported a large logging population and other population centers in the hills of the Coast Range, such as the smaller lumber-based community of Black Rock and the company-owned mill town Valsetz.

[5][6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.20 square miles (3.11 km2), all of it land.

There were 395 housing units at an average density of 329.2 per square mile (127.1/km2).

22.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 373 housing units at an average density of 303.2 per square mile (117.1/km2).

19.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.