Settlement in the Hotchkiss area began in earnest during the late 1920s, following early exploratory and fur-trading activities in the region dating back to the late 18th century, with the first permanent white settlers arriving around 1919 to establish cattle ranches and grain production. By the 1930s, Hotchkiss had developed into a modest trading center amid a broader influx of homesteaders drawn to the arable lands of the Peace River district, where agriculture remains the dominant industry, including crop cultivation on roughly 100,000 acres and livestock operations. The broader Hotchkiss-Keg River area, encompassing nearby settlements like Hawk Hills and Paddle Prairie, saw its population grow from about 853 in 1951 to around 1,500 by 1966, reflecting steady rural development tied to improved transportation, such as the gravelled Mackenzie Highway completed in 1948.
The Post office opened on November 14, 1930.