"FIRST TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE!"
Governor Brigham Young Establishes a Capitol (designated as
Fillmore) in the Pahvant Valley of Central Utah Territory
(Original Utah Centennial Legacy, Acrylic/Canvas 176 sq. ft. Mural in Collection of
Millard County Commission, Fillmore, Utah 84631)
by Artist Frank M. Thomas
Historical Background:
Utah gained Territorial status with the Compromise of 1850. President Millard Fillmore appointed Brigham Young as the first governor. One of the first items of business for Governor Young was establishing a capitol and a capitol city. The settlement and fort on Chalk Creek, in the Pahvant Valley, 145 miles south of Salt Lake City, was selected because it was in the center of the new Territory. In honor of the President the county was named Millard and the new capitol was designated Fillmore. All that needed to be done now was build a town And a capitol to follow the dreams and aspirations of joining the Federal Union with full statehood status.
On December 10th, 1855, the First Territorial Legislature met in the early morning, for the first time, in their new south wing structure of the contemplated Territorial State House. It was a large two story stone building, erected outside the adobe walls of Fort Fillmore. The sky carried colorful evidence of more winter weather to come, as Lt. General Daniel Wells, commander of the Nauvoo Legion, and the other legislators greeted the arrival of Governor Brigham Young.
The Governor himself dedicated the building and gave an eloquent speech for the vision of the future of Utah. Three years later the dream for Fillmore, as a new capitol city, was dead. Beginning with the next Residentially appointed eastern governor, the seat of government was returned, permanently, to Salt Lake City.
Canvas Art Print Offerings:
15" x 47" (signed by artist/rolled - ready to stretch)..........................$260.00
tube shipped.......................+$12.50
20" x 62" (signed by artist/rolled - ready to stretch)..........................$412.25
tube shipped.......................+$14.50
30" x 94" (signed by artist/rolled - ready to stretch)..........................$973.50
tube shipped........................+$18.25
(NOTE: The rolled print may be stretched in most frame shops before framing.)
*Please note*: Artist Frank Thomas' studio lithographic art print and giclee' canvas art print sales have now been resumed as of November 1st, 2008. He and his wife, Patreecia, have completed an eighteen month mission in the Ohio-Cleveland Mission, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at the Kirtland Historic Village Sites, Kirtland, Ohio. He was asked by LDS Church General Authorities to paint early Church history scenes of 1830's Kirtland.
He has now returned home to his art studio at 206 North 100 East, Holden, Utah 84636 and is producing LDS historical paintings and Old West paintings at that site. His art prints may be purchased online by credit card or by personal check.
Call Frank at his Studio" (435) 795-2206 or (435) 406-9526, or contact directly by email wildgoose@crystalpeaks.com.