 Larger numbers of settlers began to arrive in the district in the early 20th century, with significant representation from people of British and Scandinavian origins.In 1910, the Canadian Northern Railway reached Shellbrook from Prince Albert and the community developed as a service centre for the surrounding agricultural region.The Shell Brook (more of a river) passes just to the north of the present community, flowing east to the Sturgeon River, which in turn flows into the North Saskatchewan River west of Prince Albert.