On this site in 1852, a group of early settlers formed a mining community and called it Milltown after the Seeley and Dowles water powered sawmill near the mouth of Canyon Creek. In September 1861, this rapidly growing village was renamed Junction City because of the junction of Canyon Creek with the Trinity River and because of the many trails that served the outlying areas. President Grover Cleveland signed the official records establishing this townsite on January 18, 1896.