Late in 1896, shortly after the opening of the north half of the Colville Indian Reservation to mineral entry and homesteading, two adventurous traders set up a general store at an old ferry crossing near the junction of Curlew Creek and Kettle River. This trading post rapidly sprouted into a collection of log buildings and stores.

By 1901 the community had a population of nearly 200, and claimed two general stores, two saloons, the Ansorge Hotel, two livery stables, a dry goods store and several other business. A post office had been established in 1898 and the town was designated "Curlew."

The early years were a booming time for Cuelew as the region was flooded with prospectors, miners, railroad workers and Indians attracted to a new frontier. But Curlew, never really got off the ground. It seemed to stand still after those hectic first years. The minerals failed to live up to those early expectations, so the dreams of Curlew slowly faded.

But Curlew still stands today overlooking the Kettle River. The Ansorge Hotel is still there although many of its false fronted buildings are gone. But in many places surrounding Curlew, it has not changed in over one hundred years.