Nordman, originally located northwest of it's current location, was named after John Nordman, a Norwegian who was a highly respected benefactor of the tiny community established in the Nordman area. It encompassed the Nordman Cash Store and outlying homesteads.

When the road was moved to where Highway 57 is now, the owners traded 132 acres of land to the Forest Service for seven acres of highway frontage. The owners, Leo and Dorothy Bruno and Don and Olive Bruno started building the Nordman Store in 1947. An open house was held on May 28, 1949, to celebrate the opening of the store, with a guest book signed by those who came. The local Boy Scout troop planted the trees in front of the building. The store became the gathering place for social events, Thanksgiving, and community meetings. There were approximately 15 families in the area year-round, and a pet deer lived at the store. The original Nordman School was located northwest of Nordman and had 13 children, five from the Pettit family and three of the Brunos. The descendents of the original families still live in the area.

The Nordman Post Office is now located in the Nordman Store. In 1917, it was originally located in a cabin one mile north of the store and was run by Barbara Seymour. After moving to a few different locations, the Post Office was moved into the Nordman Store. Its most recent long-term Postmaster was Claude Cary, who retired in 1999 after 23 years of service. His wife Camilla is the daughter of Don Bruno.

The Nordman Store had a soda fountain, bar, and store, sold gas and offered camping. Randy Votava, the current owner since 1992, has expanded the store and built onto the north end of the building which now houses the Nickelplate Restaurant. Keeping to tradition, he built by hand to match the workmanship and tradition of the building. Randy's son Ben attended local schools from first grade through high school. The Nordman Store is open year-round and includes a restaurant and laundromat. There is also a seasonal, full hook-up campground. Randy just completed building the Priest Lake Lodge with seven 2-bed units with lofts.