General Info
Fillmore County was established in 1853 and named in honor of President Millard Fillmore. Chatfield was the original county seat in 1855 until it was moved to Carimona. In 1856 Preston was selected as the county seat and a courthouse was built in 1863. As rail lines were built in southern Minnesota, Fillmore County began to grow and communities were established near railway junctions. Early industry included lumbering, milling, mining and agriculture. Today Fillmore County is home to approximately 20,850 residents.