During the Middle Ages, guards responsible for the provincial border between Carinthia and Styria were stationed in villages in the area; the hamlet of Straže (literally, 'guards') to the northwest reflects this history. A blast furnace operated near Mislinja from 1724 to 1899, reflected in the hamlet name Plavž (literally, 'blast furnace'). The iron ore for the furnace was transported from Vitanje and Šoštanj.
The historical significance of guards stationed at provincial borders in the Middle Ages is evident in the name of the hamlet Straže. The blast furnace near Mislinja, operating from 1724 to 1899, is a reminder of this industrial activity. Iron ore was transported from Vitanje and Šoštanj for the furnace.