Despite their many problems, the people were optimistic and in good health. The crops and fruit trees did well and there
was time for music and dancing. By 1886 Grafton's population grew to 28 families with over 200 acres of irrigated land
under cultivation. Despite this cultivation the settlers needed more land for grazing cattle. They found it by building the
Wood Road up to the Grafton Mesa south of the town where they could graze large herds.