Shumway was a ranch and stage stop located at Horse Lake. Benjamin Emerson Shumway (1823-1909) settled there in 1869 and built the first cabin at Horse Lake. In addition, he built the road from Willow Creek Valley to Horse Lake and then onto the Madeline Plains. For a time, it was the quickest route to Alturas and Surprise Valley.
On May 23, 1883, the Shumway Post Office was established with Susie Shumway, as postmaster. On October 31, 1913, it was discontinued. In 1916, Horse Lake residents attempted to re-establish the post office and have a mail drop off at the NCO Railroad’s Horse Lake siding. The postal authorities denied the request. They stated they did not need a mail drop as there were only four permanent families residing in the area. In addition, it was cited, the NCO was an unreliable operation, with irregular train service and since there was no attendant at the Horse Lake Station, there was no way that the mail could be protected.