In 1854 at Fort Ephraim, an Indian named Tabiona gave President Brigham Young a black rock and said, “Heap burn.” Two Welsh coal miners, John Rees and John Price, went with him to locate the coal vein, which they found in Coal Canyon about 1 mile south and 1 1/2 miles west of this site. Until 1860, Welsh pioneers were directed to settle near Coalbed (Wales) to develop the mine. In 1872, twelve coke ovens were erected, and in 1875 a branch railroad line was extended from Nephi to ship the coal to market and carry U.S. mail for all Sanpete County.