In 1870 Corydon E. Cooley, a government scout, and Marion Clark entered this valley and located ranches, and Cooley built a log house on the hill. By 1876 many families had come, including Alfred Cluff, David E. Adams, Thomas W. Adair, Heber Dalton, and others. The settlement was called Cooley, later changed to Showlow. Homes were built, acres were planted to grain, and people prospered. A post office was established in 1880 with Cooley as postmaster. A fort protected the people from Indians. Wm. Penrod built a shingle mill. In 1884 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints organized a ward with Hans Hansen as bishop.