Payson, Utah, is in Utah County and is part of the Orem-Provo Metropolitan area. Let’s find out more about Payson.

History

The area settlement was named Peteetneet Creek after the Chief Peteetneet of the Timpanogos Indigenous Americans.

Pioneers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints settled the area. James Pace Jr. settled it on October 20, 1850. Three families, totaling 16 people, settled in the area.

The territorial governor of Utah, Brigham Young, named it Payson, Utah, after Payson, Illinois.

There is plenty more history about Payson, but I will not talk about all of it.

Facts

Here are some facts about Payson.

• Founded
  • October 20, 1850
• Incorporated
  • January 21, 1853
• Named for
  • Payson Adams Country, IL
• Total
  • Area
    • 13.05 SQ mi
  • Land
    • 13.04 sq mi
  • Water
    • 0.01 sq mi
• Elevation
  • 4,700 ft
• Population
  • 21,101
• Website
• http://Paysonutah.org

Population

In 2000, the population was 12,716; in the latest census, it was 21,101. It is a fast-growing city in the southern part of Utah County.

Culture

It is the site of the annual Scottish Heritage Festival. Here are things that go on in Payson.

• Scottish Heritage
  • Held in July
• Salmon Supper
  • Every August
• Annual Onion Day
  • Held every Labor Day weekend.
• Band concerts
  • Every Sunday night during the summer in Memorial Park
• Movies are also filmed here

What movies are filmed in Payson?

• Footloose, 1984
  • The high school was used as a car wash.
• Warning Sign, 1985
• Banjo the Woodpile Cat, 1979
• Baptists at Our Barbecue, Mormon film
  • It was filmed on Main Street.
• Hatching Pete, Disney Channel
• Hallmark TV Shows
  • Christmas Under Wraps, 2014
  • Christmas Tree Lane

Things to do

With Payson being a small town, here are a few things you can do.

• Nebo Loop Byway
• Peteetneet Musem
• Payson Lakes
• Grotto trail
• Gladstan Golf Course
• Skate park

Places to eat

Daily Freeze

• This is located at 50 E 100 N, Payson, UT 84651, offering some great shakes. The food is also good.

Polar Queen

• I love the fish and chips here. They are the best, and that is my opinion.
• Located at: 745 UT-198, Payson, UT 84651

Notable People

Here are some people from Payson, Utah

• Earl W. Bascom, rodeo pioneer, rodeo champion, “Father of Modern Rodeo,” inventor, Hollywood actor, cowboy artist, and sculptor, halls of fame Famectee

• Don Bluth, animator and film producer
• Toby Bluth, Disney animator
• William Clayson, Mormon pioneer, LDS hymn writer
• Brandon Flowers, lead singer of The Killers, lived in Payson for several years in his youth.
• Orson Pratt Huish, LDS hymn writer
• Kaycee Feild, World Rodeo Bareback Champion
• Lewis Feild, World Champion Bareback rider, Hall of Fame Famectee
• Jewel Kilcher, the singer-songwriter known as “Jewel,” was born in Payson
• Jesse Knight, Mormon pioneer, rancher, mining magnate, industrialist
• Murder of Kay Mortensen, retired American professor
• O. Raymond Knight, rancher, rodeo champion, “Father of Canadian Professional Rodeo,” Halls of Fame Famectee
• Dallin H. Oaks, LDS Apostle, attended elementary school in Payson
• Barret Peery, basketball head coach at Portland State, born in Payson
• Joseph L. Townsend, LDS hymn writer

Thoughts

Payson is just a tiny little town and an excellent place to visit. It has that small-town feel, so Main Street is used for movies and TV shows. The Salmon supper is always good.

Video

Citation

I used information from here

Payson, Utah. (2023, April 14). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Payson,_Utah

Tag

Tour of Utah

Utah