Short Creek was first settled by William B. Maxwell, a Mormon pioneer, in 1862. In 1866 the Barry Brothers were killed by Indians near "Berry Knoll." From 1870 to 1900, grazing predominated. Just prior to the Homestead Dry Farm Act of 1909, Frank Johnson located at Maxwell Ranch and by 1910, Jacob Laurizen and Will Rast settled north of the Creek. Official records indicate that by 1916, "Aunt Lizzie" was serving as postmistress for Short Creek. The Stock Raising Homestead Act of 1916 brought other settlers. The 1920s brought the Colvins, Carlings, Johnsons, Blacks, Covingtons, Spencers and other. Dry farming was supplemented with water from windmills and canyon streams. During the Great Depression, many homesteads were vacated. The homesteads of Leroy S. Johnson and Elizabether Colvin became a nucleus for an effort toward the establishment of the United Order among the Mormon Fundamentalists in this area under the leadership of John Y. Barlow.