[1] The location near the mouth of Corn Creek was originally a stopping place known as Willow Flats for the early travelers on the Mormon Road.

[2][3] On January 17, 1851, George A. Smith, leader of Mormon colonists who were on their way to establish the colony at Parowan, wrote about Willow Flat to Brigham Young, that the area was, "... a prospect for a colony not to be slighted... Corn Creek sinks and forms a large meadow.

Here at Kanosh's request they were to be taught the Mormon's farming methods under the direction of a local Indian agent.

[4]: 44, 60  The Corn Creek Indian Farm on Corn Creek existed there from 1855 to 1867, when most of its native inhabitants took down their farms and moved to the new Ute reservation, leaving the land for the new settlement of Kanosh.

Petersburg was one of the larger stations and rest stops on the Gilmer and Salisbury Stage Company line from the Utah Central Railroad and Utah Southern Railroad rail head to the mining boom town of Pioche, Nevada from 1864 to 1871.