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Eighteen families decided to stay through the winter. Alexander (Daniel Alexander), John and Bradford Sessions stayed.
At Christmas time a group of young people came up in a sleigh from Provo to be with family. It was special as they were the only visitors they had from outside.
There was still a lot of snow at the end of March in the Valley. A meeting was held at the home of Thomas Rasband. They petitioned the Lord asking for his blessings that the snow would soon melt. Before the meeting was dismissed the water was dripping from the eves of the house and spring had finally sprung.
Heber C Kimball visited the valley. Many settling there were converts that he had brought the gospel to. They decided to name the city after him. In his remarks he said, "Now you people have named your little town after me. I want you to see to it that you are honest, upright citizens and good Latter-day Saints that I may not be ashamed of you."
In addition to raising crops and building homes, the people also began to build barns, stables and other shelters for their oxen and cattle for the coming winter. Fences needed to be built.
On Christmas Day in 1860, Charles C. Thomas and Emmaline Sessions were married by Thomas Rasband in the first ceremony performed in the valley.
In the spring of 1861 the first ward was organized in Heber City. Now that church activity was started many things made living in the valley more happy.
Sheepherders were organizing and wool made available but it's production was very laborious. The wool and to be washed and scoured, carded by hand into spools and then spun into yarn. If coloring was desired, tag alder, rabbit brush and indigo were used.
City government began. A probate judge was elected by the legislature. Three county selectmen were elected by the voters. They constituted the county court.
At the first election held February 22, 1862, John Sessions and Thomas Giles were elected superintendent of common schools. D. A. Sessions was elected as a selectmen but probably was not at the first election.
Statehood in 1896 brought a full county commission.
Celebrations were almost as old as the settled valley. Typical of them was the Fourth of July celebration held in 1863. Captain Thomas Todd's company of infantry announced the day's dawning with muskets while the martial band played "Hail Columbia." By 10 a.m. the citizens had met on the public square to participate in the processional. Leading off were members of the infantry and the martial band followed by professor Green and his students then the citizens with Sydney Epperson and a company of cavalry bringing up the rear. They marched to the bowery where salutes were fired and a program presented. President William A Wall talked about the country's founding fathers, John Crook sang the Star Spangled Banner then James A. Smith and Richard Sessions addressed the congregation.
Brick houses started to be built. Churches were built including a beautiful brick church tabernacle. Heber City was established.
In the world today, one would search long and hard to find such a beautiful valley. It is surrounded by mountains. The western mountains, have beautiful Mount Timpanogos, over 12,000 feet high and with a glacier on it that overlooks this beautiful valley. Real estate has escalated until land and houses are priced out of range for most natives raised here. Many are now coming to this beautiful valley because of what they find here, not only it's scenery, but it's way of life. The Sessions families, David, John, Daniel Alexander, William Thomas and Bradford made an excellent choice to raise their families in Heber Valley.
Heber City is located 48 miles east of Salt Lake City. Many generations of Sessions families are buried in the beautiful cemetery.