Brighton lay on the Red River Oxcart Trail to Traverse des Sioux. In 1854, Bruce Pierce became the first white man to claim land there. In 1855-56, settlers included Christian, John, and Andrew Anderson; Christian and Torger Peterson; and the Jensens. In 1862, the Applebaum home served as a refuge for victims of the Sioux Uprising, and five died. The community had four churches: Catholic in 1859, Norwegian Methodist in 1860, Norwegian Lutheran in 1868, and Zion Lutheran. It had three blacksmith shops and a creamery that operated from 1905 to 1919. In 1877, the first township officers were J.H. Dorn, Andrew Jensen, Leonard Boor, Adam Epper, and C. Peterson. In 1879, the post office was in the Peterson and Jensen store.