Toston was named for Thomas Toston, an early homesteader and the first postmaster. From 1883–1899, the town enjoyed prosperity while the giant Toston Smelting Company was in operation. Loads of ore from Radersburg and coal from the Big Springs area were hauled to the smelter by six horse teams. Mining, smelting, trading and land development made Toston a regional marketing center for a brief period, while earthquakes, fires and mine closings nearly killed it. Today it consists of a small collection of residences, whose only service is a post office.