The earliest European settlers were from the north of Ireland, with others from Britain and southern Ireland.

The abundance of water played a major role in the early development of the area with mills supplying flour and feed, lumber and a great variety of other materials that spurred industry and productivity. Pioneer farmers cleared land, harvested trees, grew crops and raised livestock that fueled those mills and the local economy.

Schools, churches, rural general stores and post offices drew communities together; the hamlets of Cavan, Ida, Mount Pleasand, Springville, Fraserville, South Monaghan (once Centerville) and Bailieboro bear witness to this. Other place names such as Dranoel and Cairo are now just in the historical record – which we keep.

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