The many lumber operations were after the giant pine and old timber found in the area.

They cleared land and built a general store, settler's cabins, and boarding houses.

In 1910, the city suffered a major fire that destroyed the business section within an hour, with thirty buildings burning down.

This fire caused the end of Rose City's lumbering center, as many businesses decided not to rebuild.

The area began to see several improvements from 1945 to 1960, including the construction of a sewer system, paved streets, and streetlights.

There are many artesian wells found in Rose City's main water supply still today, and Rose City was once referred to as "The Home of Artesian Wells".

[7] In October 1962, Rose City's school district was combined with that of neighboring West Branch to become the West Branch-Rose City Area Schools district.

[10] Houghton Creek, a tributary of the Rifle River, runs through part of the city limits.

The Rifle River State Recreation Area, which can be used for year-round activities like canoeing, swimming, fishing, and snowmobiling, is about 3 miles (4.8 km) to the east.

At the 2010 census there were 653 people in 238 households, including 154 families, in the city.