These early pioneers of Price experienced much hardship. Food was in short supply, and crops were difficult to grow because of a lack of irrigation water. Water had to be carried from the river in barrels and tanks. An irrigation ditch to carry water to the fields was of utmost importance. Construction of two ditches began in February 1879 when Caleb Rhoades and Frederick Grames began the project. A community effort eventually finished the two ditches, but it wasn't until the Price Water Company Canal was finished in 1888 that the irrigation problem was solved. The canal is still in use today.

The character of Price changed dramatically with the completion of the railroad in 1883. Price was quickly transformed from an isolated farming community to the commercial hub of Castle Valley. The railroad was directly responsible for Price becoming the retail, political, educational, and cultural center of the area. The railroad also opened up the nearby coal mines, which brought thousands of foreign-born, non-Mormon immigrants to work the mines. Originally these miners lived in the coal camps near the mines, but Price gradually assimilated many of them, reflecting the ethnic diversity of the county and becoming a cultural hub as well. These immigrants came from many countries, but the majority were Greek, Italian, Austrian, and Japanese. This diversified population has remained today, making Price one of Utah's most culturally complex and varied communities.