Statistics and Facts About Payson, UT
The population of Payson is approximately 14,951 (2002). The
approximate number of families is 2,659 (1990). The amount
of land area in Payson is 14.637 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
Payson is positioned 40.03 degrees north of the equator
and 111.72 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Payson elevation is 4,648 feet above sea level.
Location of Payson
Location: in the Utah County area, just south
Provo on Interstate 15.
Climate and Weather
The climate for Payson is Moderate.
There are approximately 10 to 20 inches of snow each
year with much more in the mountain areas.
Payson average annual rainfall is 16 inches per year
Payson average temperature is (January) 21
(July) 83 degrees F.
Payson City History
The city was named for James Pace and founded in
1850 on the banks of Peteetneet Creek. The first spelling was Pacen, but that
was changed when the community was incorporated to Payson.
Peteetneet was also an early
name for the area after a local Indian Chief, Peteetneet,
and his people. The downtown business area has been renovated with a turn
of the century motif. Payson is the gateway to many
surrounding outdoor recreational areas.
The founding of Payson: October, 1850
The incorporation date of Payson: 21 January 1853
The Latter-day Saints first settled in Payson in
1850. The Payson Tabernacle of the Church of
Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints was dedicated by
Wilford Woodruff in 1872.
In 1873 a high school was established in Payson,
the first such institution in Utah south of Salt
Lake City. It closed down in 1876 due to the rise of
Brigham Young Academy. An opera house was
built in Payson in 1883. In the late 1800s, a
factory making horse collars operated in Payson.
When the Strawberry Valley Reclamation Project
was completed in 1912, the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company
decided to place a sugar beet processing factory in
the area. The plant was completed in October
1913. By 1915, the biggest year for the factory,
5,014 acres (20.29 km2) were planted,
yielding 36,915 tons of sugar beets, which were
processed into 7722 tons of sugar. Due to low
yields, the plant was closed in 1926 and dismantled
in 1940; harvests were processed in the Utah-Idaho
Sugar factories in
lehi and
Spanish
Fork.
Payson Attractions
Mount Nebo Scenic Loop Call (801) 785-3563 for information.
The road reaches elevations of 8,000 fet and beautiful
vistas. Four campgrounds are on the trail. The road is open
May through October. Cross-country skiers and snowmobilers
are allowed use of the area during the winter.
75th Annual Payson Golden Onion Days. Call (801) 465-0533
for more information. Fireworks, flower and art shows and
lots of other fun activities.
Payson is famous for its annual Scottish Festival
held each year during the 2nd weekend in July.
Featured are Scottish games, contests, competitions
in dance and on the pipes, vendors, Scottish food
and entertainment. It is one of the best
celebrations in Payson.
The Ute Indian Chief, "BlackHawk," is buried at the
BlackHawk Memorial Park 2 miles south of Payson. He was a
key figure in Utah's BLACKHAWK WAR of 1865-1872. His bones
were dug up by miners in 1917 and he was on display at the
LDS CHURCH HISTORY MUSEUM IN Salt Lake City until 1997 when
he was re-buried in the land of his fathers - the land he
protected and loved! REST IN PEACE.
Visit the Museum at Peteetneet Academy
or the Arts located at 10 South 600 East. The
beautifully landscaped grounds add asthetic beauty
to one of the most attractive schools in Utah. Named
for Chief Peteetneet, who lived on the banks of
Peteetneet Creek, the Museum now houses 8 rooms of
local History, a fascinating communications room, a
costume/clothing room, A school room and a fine arts
gallery which features a different artist monthly. A
must-see-while-you’re-in-PAYSON! Hours 9-4 Monday
thru Friday Visit the Ashley National Forest
Information booth