 A 1921 gazetteer indicates that businesses in the community on that date included two general stores, a saw mill, a store for agricultural implements, and one for soft drinks.Rural mail delivery was being done from nearby Leeman, and the closest bank was in Galesburg (now the community of Navarino).Before 1950, Briarton was located at the intersection of Wisconsin Highway 47 and (then) County Trunk Highway W. On the weekend of October 1, 1950, a new alignment of the highway was opened which bypassed the community.