It is located in the southwest corner of Cedar Valley about 50 miles (80 km) southwest of Salt Lake City and 5 miles (8.0 km) south of Cedar Fort on Utah State Route 73, west of Utah Lake.

The town was founded in 1855 when John Carson, his four brothers, and others settled in the Cedar Valley.

The population ballooned after the arrival of Johnston's Army in 1858-59, sent to Utah to suppress the rumored rebellion there.

With no rebellion taking place, the troops were recalled in 1861 and sent east to fight for the Union with the outbreak of the Civil War.

[5] Besides agriculture, the town is a destination for Camp Floyd tourists and home to a large construction landfill.