In 1898 it was a farming and lumbering community with a population of 500. In 1898 Coal Branch was a station on the Intercolonial Railway and a farming and lumbering settlement with a population of 100. A post office existed there until 1970. The Coal Branch River was once the site of coal mining operations with the Beersville Coal and Railway Company.
Places of note
The community also has a community center, softball field and local churches.