Early day travelers used the clearing west of this site as a stopover and resting place during journeys from Lost Prairie, Flora, Paradise, and other points north to Elgin. Travel was by saddle horse, stagecoach, or wagon. Known as the Sled Springs Station, it operated for several years before 1900 and until about 1925. In later years, the same area became the site of a railroad logging camp, and about 300 people lived in the vicinity.