The community was platted in 1849 on a sharp bend of the Turkey River. In 1851 a dam and a sawmill were built, and five years later this mill was joined by the large brick city mill (1854–1856). The town is situated on both sides of the river, with bluffs rising to the east. On the edge of the east bluff, William Larrabee built his house, which poses as a castle overlooking its village.