The Box Elder Cooperative Association was established in 1867-68 by Lorenzo Snow under the direction of Brigham Young. In 1871, a dairy said to be the first in Utah was built south of Beaver Dam near a cold water spring, with Christian Hansen as operator. From 600 cows, some butter and 50,000 pounds of cheese were produced yearly. The co-op closed in 1878, and Mr. Hansen purchased the dairy; his son Willard bought and operated it until 1893.