The town was founded in 1952 and named after Sir Henry Gurney, a former British High Commissioner in Malaya This Chinese settlement began in the early 1900s with mainly Fuzhounese (Foochow) migrants.
This place which originally known Simpang Tiga because it's the third junction leading towards the Sungei Wangi Estate.
During the Japanese occupation, many residents fled into the jungle, farming, fishing and hunting to provide food for their families.
A number of the local leaders, Ding Lean Kea, Ting Toh Ming were murdered by Malayan Communist Party (MCP).
Members would approach rubber tappers individually trying gentle persuasion to get them on their side.
Every year, the hungry ghost festival is celebrated on a grand scale with Chinese operas, fire walking etc.