The earliest settlers were Chinese placer miners who were mining the bars on the nearby Columbia River as late as the 1870s.

They remained until they were driven out by local Indians. By 1881 the United States Army had established Camp Chelan and several years later the first settlers started coming in.

Among the early arrivals was William Sanders, a prospector who was convinced that the upper regions of Lake Chelan held large bonanza riches in minerals. Later on vast mineral discoveries were made on Cascad, and Railroad Creeks, and further beyond the head of Lake Chelan. Eventually the mighty Holden Mine, became one of the greatest state producers, and provided millions of dollars worth of precious metal during its long life.

The renowned Holden Mine is long gone today, but the splendor of Lake Chelan still remains.