In October 1851, President Brigham Young led a delegation of lawmakers representing the provisional State of Deseret in selecting Fillmore as the capital city. Located about 140 miles south of Salt Lake City, the centrally located community was named after Millard Fillmore, 13th president of the United States.
When a petition for statehood was denied by Congress, a territorial government was established with Brigham Young appointed as governor. Fillmore became the territorial capital.Construction of a territorial statehouse began in 1852, with plans for three levels and four wings connected by a Moorish dome. Due to lack of funds, only the existing south wing was completed.
The territorial legislature met there in December 1855, the only full legislative session held in the statehouse before the seat of government was moved to Salt Lake City in 1858. With the territory's population base concentrated near Salt Lake City, leaders had complained of the long travel to Fillmore required to conduct government business.
The statehouse served a variety of purposes thereafter through the years, including as a civic center, religious meetinghouse, school, theater and jail. In 1957 the statehouse and grounds became a state park. Today the structure serves as a museum and is listed on both the state and national historic registers.