The area became an official settlement in the early 19th century when timber merchants established sawmills on the banks of the Eikon River. Over the next century, the village grew into a modest trading post, with a small school and community hall serving the local population. After a merger with the neighboring municipality in 1974, Eikontrastiivista adopted its current administrative boundaries and municipal status. The region's name derives from the Finnish words “eikona” (meaning “river”) and “trastiivista” (a historic surname of Swedish descent), reflecting the blend of indigenous and Scandinavian influences that characterize the area.
Eikontrastiivista’s economy is largely based on forestry, and the surrounding forest districts are managed by sustainable logging practices under the supervision of the Finnish Forest Management Board. The municipality also promotes eco‑tourism, offering guided hikes, wildlife observation, and seasonal cross‑country skiing. Seasonal festivals such as the Summer Harvest Fair and the Winter Ice Show attract visitors from nearby towns and foster community cohesion.
Culturally, Eikontrastiivista values traditional Finnish lifestyles and maintains an active local crafts scene, with artisans producing wood carvings, textiles, and regional cuisine such as reindeer stew and cloudberry jam. The community’s school serves students from preschool through ninth grade, after which pupils typically commute to larger educational centres in Kuusamo or Rovaniemi. Despite its small size, Eikontrastiivista has a reputation for strong local governance and a commitment to environmental stewardship.
The municipality is accessible by a dual‑track road network that connects it to the main highway 22, and there is a small regional airstrip that handles cargo and emergency medical flights. Public transport is limited to a weekly bus service, and most residents rely on personal vehicles for daily travel. Eikontrastiivista has been featured in several regional environmental studies, particularly in the context of boreal forest conservation and rural development policies.