The aboriginal people used the waterways up the Columbia River and the Arrow Lakes for coming up to hunt and fish in this area. It seems the lakes got their name from the many arrows found along the river.
 

David Thompson and his men reached the Columbia River between 1807 and 1811.

In the beginning of 1900 the Hudson's Bay Company developed the Columbia River to trade with the Indians for furs. At this time the gold miners also had their camps and boat launching just before the gold rush of Caribou Creek started.

In 1895 Burton City was founded by the Burton brothers.

Between 1865 and 1954 the paddle-wheelers became the main source of supplies and communication.

In 1908 the road was built from Burton to Nakusp. In the late 20's the
Monashee Pass road to Vernon was opened.

After the miners began to leave, the loggers moved into this area and gave the valley a lot of prosperity.