 Locally known as the Pentland Meatworks (or Cape River Meatworks) was opened in 1943 to meet the additional needs of Australian and American forces arriving in north Queensland during World War II.The meatworks saw the township of Pentland thrive.In the early 70s there were two grocery stores and the Pentland State School had around 70 enrolled students, the town pool was opened and the town's only hotel, the Pentland Hotel Motel was renovated and thriving.