West Mountain was first inhabited by a band of ancient Fremont Indians from 300-1000 A.D., who recorded their presence in rock art near the north point. The first recorded Mormon settlers were George and Eliza Rust, followed in the 1800s by William McBeth, Jesse and Amanda Knight, Wallace S. Clark, Andrew Hendrickson, Freeman and Carol Tanner, Pardon and Clarissa Webb, and James S. and Diana McBeth. In the early 1900s, few people moved into the area, but in 1916 Strawberry Water became available for irrigation, making possible later growth. West Mountain Mormons attended church in a Payson ward until January 16, 1949, when the West Ward was created with Abner Baird as bishop. Delphin S. Hiatt was the second bishop, and under his direction the West Ward Chapel was built and dedicated on April 25, 1954, by Elder Richard L. Evans. Since the settlement of the land by ancient Indians and early pioneers, West Mountain has undergone many changes and grew to include four West Mountain wards.