The first permanent settlers of the community were residents from Englee and Wild Cove who went there to work in the sawmill operation and to clear land for growing crops for the St. Anthony hospital.

The first census was taken in 1911, and showed a population of 46, but the sawmill closed and by 1921 there were only 8 residents left and the community was abandoned the next year.

Four years later, the sawmill was reopened and in the 1930s Bowater began pulpwood cutting in the area.

In the 1960s, isolation ended with a road being built to the town and made it the region's service and supply centre.

In the 1980s, a crab plant was opened up to provide employment for the community, but in the late 1980s a fire destroyed it and the sawmill.