The buildings of Murtovaara were destroyed in the Continuation War by the Finnish troops, except for one drying barn. In the spring of 1945, the villagers who were evacuated to Kärsämäki returned to the place where the village had been. The time of reconstruction began. Construction timber was allowed to be taken from the forest, and initially new log residential buildings were built for three families. Entire residential areas took shape from front-line men’s quarters, for example in Hyöteikkö.
Once upon a time, the life of Murtovaara village was vibrant and in addition to shops and a school, it also had its own health centre.
In the 1960s, the village had a dance stage and later a dance hall. At one time, the municipality built a terraced house in Murtovaara as apartments for the elderly. However, no elderly people ever lived in the house.
The shop in Murtovaara was run by Aho Erkki for a long time, and Veikko Väätäinen and Uolevi Heiskanen worked as primary school teachers. The post office operated until the 1980s, and the Volunteer Fire Department building was still in operation at the beginning of the 2000s.
Murtovaara has lived on farming and fishing. At the beginning of the 1960s, there were about 100 residents. Now the village has a few inhabited houses and during the summer vacationers on their own cottages.
Maamiesseura operated until the 2000s and the hunting club Murtovaaran Seudun Erä is active.