In 1830, Ensign Dale led an exploration party from York which reached into the Shire of Kellerberrin. Throughout 1861 - 1868 a number of grazing leases were taken up in the area.

In 1864 an explorer, CC Hunt, named a granite outcrop "Killaberrin" after the Aboriginal word for a large ant colony "Keela", found in the vicinity of the hill.

 

In 1877 four sheep stations in the district - Cuttening, Milligan, Mooranoppin and Mt Caroline - were established.

 

The names of the first settlers were the Massinghams, Rippers, Leakes and Sewells.