Hooper was first called Muskrat Springs because of the spring that was the main fresh water supply in the area. Wm. H. Hooper built a herd house in 1853. Jessie W. Fox surveyed the range in 1858. James Hale and his wife came in 1863, lived in a dugout, and sold salt. Twenty-two families followed in 1869. A canal was dug by hand from Weber River, taking two years to complete. Charles Parker erected a molasses mill. Henry W. Naiseite built a steam gristmill in 1873, and Henrietta Belnap was the first school teacher.