The first trading post here was established in 1830 by James Gray and Robert Walden, and a post office opened in 1836. Later, the Empire Milling Company erected a two-story frame building here, and the corner became known as Empire Corner. That building burned in 1884, was rebuilt in 1886, and burned again in 1888. Another building was erected in 1895, but it was destroyed by fire in 2003.