In 1853, Brigham Young asked English immigrants James and William Hennefer to start a settlement east of the big mountain. Tall, abundant sagebrush, threats of danger, and harsh winters made the area very difficult to establish. Each spring, the Hennefer brothers and their families traveled there, lived in dugouts under the hill about 100 feet east of this location, planted and harvested potatoes, and returned to Salt Lake in the fall. In 1859, they built log homes and made Henefer a permanent settlement. Blacksmiths by trade, James and William built the first blacksmith shop on the southwest corner across the street from this location. The brothers divided the town of Henefer into city blocks similar to the layout of Salt Lake City. The valley was first called Henneferville after the brothers who settled it, but later the name was changed to Henefer.