Millard County

Millard County is a county located in the central part of Utah. It was named after Millard Fillmore, the 13th President of the United States. The county covers an area of 4,739 square miles and has a population of approximately 11,000 people. The county seat is Fillmore, the only incorporated city in the county. Millard County has a long and interesting history dating back to 1851 when Mormon pioneers settled in the area.

Millard County lies between two of Utah's most prominent mountain ranges; the Wasatch Range to the east and the Great Basin Ranges to the west. This terrain makes for an interesting landscape and is home to diverse wildlife. Much of the county's terrain can be classified as desert, which makes for some breathtaking scenes.

The ancestral lands of the Goshute, Paiute, and Ute people came together in Millard County. The Paiutes were skilled at building cone-shaped shelters called wickiups and were expert hunters and gatherers. They shared their knowledge with the Mormon settlers who later arrived in the area.

Before the Mormons arrived, a few groups had passed through Millard County and found it to be a promising place to settle, with abundant resources and friendly Utes.

In October 1851, under the direction of Brigham Young, two groups of pioneers left Salt Lake City and established the first permanent white settlement in Millard County. Led by Anson Call, around 30 families settled at Chalk Creek, which is now known as Fillmore. Kanosh, a leader of the Pahvant band of Utes, welcomed the settlers, who expressed his desire to learn better farming techniques and establish a settled life. Kanosh formed a strong friendship with the Mormons.

Millard County has an interesting geographical landscape, with most of the county being in a desert environment. The Great Basin Range runs through the western part of the county while the Wasatch Range covers much of the eastern portion. Between these two mountain ranges lies a desert area known as Sevier Desert which is mostly flat and has sand dunes and salt flats scattered throughout it.

The Topaz Museum is dedicated to the memory of the Japanese-American internees who were held in Millard County during World War II. Located adjacent to the former internment camp site, visitors can learn more about this dark chapter in American history and explore artifacts from that time period.

Cove Fort is a historic site located in Millard County. The fort was originally built in 1867 by Ira Hinckley, a Mormon pioneer, and served as a stopover for travelers heading to California from Salt Lake City. It is now open to the public; visitors can take guided tours of the fort and learn more about its history.

The Great Basin Museum is located in Millard County and showcases the area's rich natural history. The museum features interactive exhibits, educational programs, and special events that tell the story of this unique region and its inhabitants.