Castorland got its name of "Land of the Beaver," because it was established in 1792 as a refuge for people fleeing the violence of the French Revolution. This land, covering 210,000 acres, was originally part of Macomb's Purchase and was bought by La Compagnie de New York. "Castorland" is a direct translation of the old Indian name for the area, Couch-sach-ra-ga. However, the colony faced numerous challenges, such as severe winters, poor planning, and the loss of livestock and money. As a result, it was disbanded in 1814. Many of the original settlers either returned to Europe or relocated to larger communities.