During the Dakota Conflict of 1862, settlers of the Norway Lake community suffered no casualties, though several people from the nearby West Lake community were killed. On August 20, survivors from West Lake and other settlers from the Norway Lake area took refuge on an island in Norway Lake. Using a crude canoe, they carried women, children, and meager supplies out to the island, where they remained for several days until a rescue party escorted them to the Paynesville area. Afterward, the area was closed to settlement until 1864, and the Norway Lake island became known as the Isle of Refuge.