North Willow Creek was settled on March 31, 1851, by five families, followed by six more families in the fall. It was first called North Willow Creek and changed to Willard in 1857. A fort constructed of dirt and rock was built from 1853 to 1855. The first grist mill was begun in 1852, a rock ditch for water supply was begun in 1864, and a saw mill was built in 1870. Eliza Mallery was the first White girl born there in July 1851, and George Jason Wells was the first White boy born in Box Elder County in August 1851.