 Originally the area around what is now known as Bell was known at Cattle Creek, Jimbour Station and was part of a large land holding called Jimbour Station.In the 1870s the area was opened up for closer settlement and Angus & Christina McPhee from Scotland became the first European settlers nearest to what would become the village of Bell.Over time other families - including Bellingham, Bradley, Edwards, Ensor, McClelland Rush and Walker - settled in the vicinity of Cattle Creek and in 1878 a school was established at Maida Hill to cater for these families.