It was established in 1901 along a branch of the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway approximately midway between Nestoria and L'Anse.

[2] The settlement was founded by Finnish-born Herman Keranen, who had been working in the lumber camps when he bought several 40-acre (160,000 m2) plots and constructed a crude log cabin.

With the money he earned from lumbering, he established the largest and most productive farm in the area, which led to the community being named for him.

For a number of years, the primary access to the area was via the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railroad Company.

[4] Other early residents included Matt Anderson, Gust Kontio, Erkki Kayramo, Nels Majhannu, Jacob Kuusisto, Henry Pasanen, Joseph Pekkala and Eli Korpi.