Fillmore offers small-town charm with freeway access
Fillmore’s somewhat remote location, once seen as a detriment when the town served as Utah’s first capital city, now attracts folks looking for peaceful, small-town energy with access to Interstate 15. “Interstate 15 is the main freeway that runs from Salt Lake City to St. George. There’s a lot of growth taking place around those two cities, moving towards the middle of the state,” says Samantha Pexton, a resident of Fillmore and principal broker with Samantha Pexton Real Estate Services. “People from those areas are moving here because there’s a building boom, but it’s not super developed.” Residential areas in Fillmore are centered around a small historic downtown area, with small businesses along Main Street and miles of trails to the east in the Fishlake National Park.
Large lot sizes, including some rural properties
Most homes in Fillmore sit on at least a quarter-acre of land, with many including over an acre with private equestrian stables. Though midcentury ranch-style homes are most common, there are enclaves of Victorian-era cottages and some 21st-century New Traditional builds around the town’s edges. Five- and six-bedroom properties have sold for between $450,000 and $500,000 in recent years. Despite its small size, Fillmore has more infrastructure and resources than many other rural towns. “Fillmore has a city sewer system, which the outlying towns around the area don’t have,” Pexton says. “The biggest advantage is that there’s a rural housing benefit loan program. Only certain areas qualify for USDA loans, so it’s very advantageous for the county seat to qualify and still have all these conveniences close by.” According to the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands, much of the region surrounding Fillmore has moderate to high wildfire risk. However, residential areas are generally at lower risk.
Local community parks and Fishlake National Park to the east
Fillmore City Park, on the community’s north side, is home to a skate park and the Fillmore Visitor Center, as well as a playground and climbing structures. Smaller green spaces include Blue Star Park, which has picnic tables surrounded by grass fields, and Wildlife Park, a small nature preserve popular with bird-watchers. East of Fillmore, there are larger nature preserves in the Wasatch Mountains. Fishlake National Park is full of hiking and equestrian trails, which provide access to campsites and hunting grounds as well as the park’s namesake lake.
Historic sites in the center of town host an annual festival
Though early leaders in Utah originally intended for Fillmore to be the capital, the site was deemed too remote for legislators and the capitol building would never complete construction. Eventually, the east wing of the capitol building, along with a few other historical structures, were converted into the Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum, which offers several in-depth exhibits and youth summer camps. In September, the statehouse hosts the annual Old Capitol Arts & Living History Festival with a large vendor fair, historical reenactors and live music.
Small businesses and family-owned restaurants on Main Street
Drug stores, auto shops and other small businesses line Main Street. Filly’s Carhop Café is a go-to stop for burgers, featuring an outdoor patio and an interior decorated with license plates from all across the country. The Eatery, a family-owned restaurant, also serves American fare and sources its ingredients locally. Retailers are limited, and locals can shop for groceries at Fillmore Market.
Direct drive to Salt Lake City on Interstate 15
Located on Interstate 15, Fillmore is over 140 miles from Salt Lake City and about 100 miles from Provo. Though there isn’t any public transit in the area, Greyhound and Salt Lake Express operate intercity bus routes that stop on the interstate outside of Fillmore. Intermountain Health Fillmore Community Hospital serves the community, located on the south side of town. Salt Lake City International Airport is about 150 miles away.
Public schools in the area earn a B rating
Fillmore Elementary and Fillmore Middle each earn a B from Niche. The latter offers video production and STEM electives in which students can learn 3D printing and other skillsets. The B-rated Millard High has a concurrent enrollment program, which allows students to take classes through Snow College at a discounted rate for both high school and transferable college credit.
