Fillmore was
Utah's first territorial capital and was named for U.S. President Millard
Fillmore in recognition of his courage in appointing Brigham
Young Utah's first territorial governor. On 4 October 1851 the Utah
territorial legislature passed a joint resolution creating Millard
County from a portion of Iron County known as "Pahvant Valley";
they named its county seat Fillmore City. This resolution also relocated
the territorial capital to the new community and appropriated $20,000
toward that effort. On 21 October two companies set out from Salt
Lake City for the Pahvant Valley. Brigham Young headed a delegation
of lawmakers making the site selection of the territorial capital. The
other company, under the direction of Anson Call, was chosen to make
a settlement. On 28 October territorial lawmakers selected a spot located
on the hunting grounds of the Pahvant Indians, 150 miles south of Salt
Lake City.
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