Founded by the Molsons of Montreal, Quebec, as a mining and townsite venture, Molson boomed in 1900 and died in 1901. Homesteaders came, then the railroad came in 1905, and Molson built up again to become the commercial center of the Okanogan Highlands, reaching a peak population of 700. Its trading area extended from 20 miles south to 10 miles into Canada, and in its heyday, at elevation 3708, it was the biggest railroad freight shipper from Oroville to Spokane. In 1917 Molson dealers sold 125 cars, including Ford, Dodge, Overland, Maxwell, Hudson, Buick, and Studebaker. In 1923 Molson Elevator Company sold 27 International Grain Binders, Dunlaps sold 23 John Deeres, and Potter Mercantile sold a few Johnstons. Molson also served as the recreation center of the highlands, with hotels, cafes, a confectionary, barber and beauty shops, poolhalls, two movie theaters, regular dances, Woodman, IOOF, and Masonic lodges, the Grange, five churches, a union highschool, and summer and winter sports. Today, Molson’s few but hardy residents enjoy many community activities and the lasting beauty of the highlands.