History

On October 20, 1850, three wagons camped beside Peteeneet Creek. The families were the Pace, Stewart, and Searls. The town was originally named Peteetneet, after a Ute Indian, Chief Peteetneet, which means "Little Waters". On January 21, 1853, the city was incorporated and the name was changed to Payson in honor of its first founder , James Pace. Many more settlers came to the area, and the city continued to grow. More land was farmed and more businesses began to spring up on Main Street. Today Payson is a thriving community rooted in tradition but aggressively pursuing a progressive future.