Michael Manson from the Shetland Islands was the first settler to arrive in 1886. He soon established a trading post at what is now called Manson's Landing, and traded the Salish provisions which he shipped in from Nanaimo for dogfish oil which he then sold to the Nanaimo coal mines where it was used for lubrication. An enterprising entrepreneur, he went on to operate a steam tug which provided freight and passenger services to logging camps in the area.

In 1893, the first post office opened, servicing the island's 40 residents. A few years later a schoolhouse was built for its first 12 students.

Ferry services came later to isolated Cortes, connecting it to Quadra and hence to Vancouver Island in 1969. One year later, electricity followed.