Settled in 1881, Helper drew immigrants from around the world to work in the mines and on the railroads, creating a distinctive cultural mix in Utah; by the 1920s, at least 27 languages were heard on Main Street. The town took its name from the helper steam engines attached to trains bound for Northern Utah to assist them over the steep grades of Price Canyon. After the Denver Rio Grande Western Railway arrived in 1881-1882, Helper began to establish a population, and in 1887 the Denver Rio Grande Railroad built about 27 frame residences to encourage a freight terminal. Between 1890 and 1900, Helper was announced as a new town and became a Union Station with terminals in Grand Junction and Ogden. In 1900, its population was 385, representing sixteen nationality groups, and merchant and laborer were the main occupations. In 1903-1904, unsuccessful coal mining strikes by Italians led to blacklisting from the mines in Castle Gate, and many of the unemployed moved into farm work along the Price River, supplying needed agricultural products. In 1924-1925, most of the 157 businesses in Helper's commercial district, including specialty shops, cafes, coffeehouses, saloons, theaters, general mercantile establishments, and service businesses, were operated by the town's diverse ethnic communities. The Great Depression struck in 1930, but Helper's railroad position provided some stability. Coal production increased during World War II and continued into the 1960s, then from 1970 to 1990 the coal industry saw highs and lows, with coal and railroad decline especially pronounced in the 1990s; Helper declined with those industries but has maintained a fairly steady population since 2010. Today, Helper continues to grow in popularity with tourists and is built upon its rich history, recreation opportunities, downtown, and artistic culture.