In 1882, J.M. Newman settled on land, part of which would eventually become the site of Thorp, Washington. Also in 1891, Milford A. Thorp received a homestead patent on land, part of which would eventually become the site of Thorp, Washington.

        In 1936, one of the biggest fires in Thorp destroyed a large hotel, which was where the telephone microwave station is now. Although this was before the District was actually formed, it may have been one of the factors which got the ball rolling.