Utah has a rich pioneer history; because of this, many of our small towns are named after pioneers or pioneer families who settled an area. Many other town names — like Nephi, Lehi, and even Moroni — come from the Book of Mormon, scripture for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Kanosh is one small town in Utah that wasn’t named after pioneers or scripture. Rather, it is named after a Native American Chief.

Kanosh is a small town located in Millard County, approximately 15 miles south of Fillmore. This town is quite small with a population of fewer than 600 residents.
Google Maps
In the mid-1800s, Chief Kanosh of the Pahvant Ute Tribe began a farm in the area of present-day Kanosh.
Charles Roscoe Savage, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
His tribe lived in the desert around Sevier Lake and once the pioneers came into the area, a struggle began.
Chief Kanosh worked hard to build harmony and help his people survive as more and more settlers arrived. He even turned in six Pahvant tribe members who were supposedly involved in the killing of a U.S. surveyor captain and members of his party.
Todd Petersen/Flickr

Related Stories

The Breathtaking Historic Home In Utah You Must Visit This Year

The Breathtaking Historic Home In Utah You Must Visit This Year

 People Used To Flock To This Tiny Utah Town To Mine Silver In Sandstone

People Used To Flock To This Tiny Utah Town To Mine Silver In Sandstone

 These 11 Candid Photos Show What Life Was Like In Utah In the 1930s

These 11 Candid Photos Show What Life Was Like In Utah In the 1930s
Chief Kanosh worked with church leaders like Brigham Young to end wars between settlers and Native Americans, and he even invited Mormon settlers to build a small town near his farm.
Wikimedia Commons
Chief Kanosh was described as a man of "ability" and "influence," and was eventually baptized and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As you drive throughout the small town of Kanosh today, you'll notice the influence of both Chief Kanosh and the pioneers. However, due to the small size of the town, there are not too many attractions that will capture your attention.
Tricia Simpson, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
But, within just a few minutes, you can drive to Meadow Hot Spring and the Territorial Statehood Museum in Fillmore. We also recommend driving around town to admire the architecture and to think about the influential individuals of this area decades ago — like Chief Kanosh.
Zoe N/TripAdvisor

Did you know the history of Kanosh, Utah? Have you ever been to this small town in Utah? When visiting Kanosh, Utah, what are some of your favorite things to do? Let us know in the comments!

If you are looking for a charming small town in Utah that is perfect for a weekend getaway, check out our list of nine that certainly deserves your attention. And if you are visiting Kanosh, UT on a road trip, make sure to check out our ultimate road trip packing list and some of our favorite car-friendly snacks before you go.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore Utah

Featured Addresses
Kanosh, UT 84637, USA