By the mid-19th century, the village was a service center for farms in the surrounding hills, with shops and tradesmen.

Portland Street was laid out in anticipation of the railroad's arrival, with service begun in 1872.

In 2007 it was substantially enlarged, to also include more railroad-related industry and residential areas to the east.

The commercial architecture is diverse, with that of the post-railroad boom period primarily in brick Italianate style.

One of the two school buildings, the Peoples Academy, is separately listed on the National Register.