In 1884 Henry H. Oviatt, Sr. and Samuel N. Alger and their families homesteaded here. As others arrived, they built a 15 mile irrigation canal, surveying by spirit level and using hand tools. The Cleveland Canal & Agricultural Co. was organized in 1889 to provide water for irrigation and town use. Early settlers lived in log cabins with dirt roofs. The town was named in honor of President Grover Cleveland. The LDS ward was organized in August 1890, with Lars P. Olsen as bishop.