The town of Maupin was built because of the easy acces to springs and the opportunity to ferry across the Deschutes River.

A man named Howard Maupin and his son Perry, started the first ferry in 1672. (Some records show that Perry was his nephew.) It was the only crossing from the mouth of the Deschutes to Bend, or except the toll bridge at Sherar's Falls.

In 1890 Wm E Hunt bought out the old ferry location and ran it until it was wrecked in the river. He owned a warehouse and later another ferry which he ran until 1912.

In 1910 the town had scattered frame buildings, a small school, and a church and a parsonage. The ferry was still the reason for the town until 1911-1912 when two railroads were built up the canyon from the Columbia River and stretched to Bend.

In 1912 a bridge was built which made a connecting link on the future Dalles-California Highway.

In 1921 a fire started in the Historic Shattuck store and the easterly wind helped the fire to level everything in its path. Within two years the undiscouraged town was rebuilt out of fire proof materials.

In 1921 a fine sweeping concrete bridge was built. For a shot while both bridges stood together until the old one was dismantled. The Business section of town has not changed that much, but there is a house on every available lot.