Founded in 1898, it was categorized as a town from 1996 until 1 January 2015, when it was amalgamated with the Rural Municipality of Minitonas and Village of Bowsman.

A campsite of tents was established on the West Favel River, southwest of the present community site in 1898.

In 1996, Louisiana-Pacific opened an OSB mill in the Rural Municipality of Minitonas, creating many new jobs.

Despite Minitonas' close proximity to the much larger town of Swan River, it offers many services.

There is one school, a community store (which includes a Swan Valley Credit Union agency), a library, post office, liquor outlet, hotel, and a restaurant.

A CN rail line runs through the community also, terminating at the Louisiana-Pacific mill.

A mile west of community is Centennial Park, a picnic area at the original location of the tent town.