Earlly 1960s--Main Street and 100 North--Photo of the Day

This photo was taken in the early 1960s looking east on 100 North from Main Street.  On the right we can see the AMOCO Station, the Dairy Freez, Floyd Johnson's Sinclair and just across the street on 100 East we see the Texaco operated by Ogden DeWitt.  On the left we see Bob's Cafe and Dixon Market.  The CONOCO station had not yet been constructed and the old Coomb's home sits on the site.  Notice the cost of gas at the AMOCO station.  Wouldn't that be a good price to pay today ?
SORRY, I REALLY DO KNOW HOW TO SPELL EARLY.

Flying Machines in Payson in 1916--Photo of the Day

On May 26-27, 1916 there was a celebration in Payson commemorating the completion of the Strawberry Irrigation Project and the Orem Interurban Railtroad.  Beginning at 9:30 A.M. the local band played until the Orem train arrived in Payson.  The train arrived at the station that was located just east of Main Street on First North.  A program was held where the final spike was driven to note the completion  of the railroad.
There was then an Auto Parade along the canal that went from Salem to Santaquin.  The car caraven then came back to Payson whee a luncheon was held.
At 2:30 P.M. that same day at the high school campus (you can see the high school in the background of the photo) there was a flying machine demonstration given by Lieut. T. T. Maroney, an aviator.  He demonstrated the wonderful feats in aviation.
Later that day there was a baseball game  between Payson and Eureka as well as dances, street shows, and band concerts and a carnival.
The next day, there was a program held at the Nebo Stake Taberncale that was attended by Heber J. Grant, W. C. Orem, Jesse Knight as well as assorted musical numbers.  The second day of the celebration  concluded with a ball game between Payson and Spanish Fork.

1893 First High School Graduating Class--Photo of the Day

The first high school graduating class of  the Payson Public Schools was in 1893.  The class attended school in the old Central School located on Main Street and Third South.  The class consisted of thirteen class members and one instructor.  On the back of the 16 x 20 inch photo,  it listed the class members gave information about each one.  More than half of the class graduated from college in 1897.  The class must have consisted on members from some of the more wealthy families of the community since most students at that time completed their education with the first eight grades.  One of the class members, Henry Erlandson, went on to become a Mayor of Payson and a businessman in the community.  He was one of the founders of Central Lumber which later became Chase Lumber then Money Lumber and Hardware and now it is known as Ace Hardware.

YOU CAN CLICK ON ANY PHOTO IN PHOTO OF THE DAY AND IT WILL BECOME LARGER

Payson High School Girl's Basketball Team Early 1900s--Photo of the Day

This is a photo of the Payson High School Girls Basketball team.  Taken in the early 1900s. 

Peteetneet School Class in 1917--Photo of the Day

This photo is of an elementary school class taken at Peteetneet durng the 1917-1918 school year.  The second  part of the entry lists the names of most of the members of the class.

Payson First 100 Years--Part 9--James Finlayson

Opera  House Built — Justin A. Loveless Manufactured Horse Collars

            “James Finlayson was elected Seventh Mayor in 1883. He was in for two terms.

            Seeing the need for a jail occasionally, one of modern style was built to the northwest of the City Hall in 1883.

            The Presbyterians had been using the Long hall for their church and school. On November 2, 1883 they dedicated their own Chapel, also built a parson- L age of seven rooms. This parsonage was occupied by the pastor and his family Oct. 24 of the same year. In August, 1884, the Presbytery of Utah met at this place and organized the Presbyterian Church of Pay- son with nine members. David Hone was ordained the ruling elder for one year.

            The people of Payson could that another school was necessary for their children. January, 1883

they held a mass meeting and assessed themselves a 2 percent tax and chose nine persons as a committee to choose a plan of a house suitable to meet the need. J. L. Townsend was appointed architect. The work progressed as far as the roof the first year and two large rooms were finished the next year. Seated with Victor Patent Lock Desks, accommodating 160 pupils, school opened Jan. 1885 under the direction of Professor A. C. Smyth and C. W. Wright. The upper story consisting of two large rooms, with sliding doors for partition, so they could be made into one large room, also class rooms, teachers offices, and cloak room. This was called the Central School.

            Seeing a need for a larger place to hold dances and dramatic presentations, a company was organized May 20, 1882 to build an opera house. Those on the committee were: President John J. McClellan; vice-president John Betts; directors James H. Memmott, Solomon Hancock, Samuel W. McClellan; secretary, Samuel Worsencroft; and treasurer, George W. Hancock. The building was finished with 507 opera chairs. The play "The Green Bushes" was put on by local talent at the opening June 22, 1883.

            It is said that the first piano used for dances was in the Hancock Hall in 1885 and that John Badham was the pianist.

            According to the Payson Enterprise of Jan. 1, 1892, George Todd and Co., with Justin A. Loveless as Junior member, commenced the manufacture of horse collars in 1886. They were the first to establish this industry in Utah Territory.”*

*Quoted from “The Payson Story” page 10, published by the Payson Centennial Co

1902 High School Choir--Photo of the Day

 This photo is of the 1902 Payson High School Choir.  It was taken on the front steps of the Peteetneet School when it was new.  The high school students attended school in the old Central School located on the corner of 300 South and Main Street.  The high school attended class there unitl the new high school was completed in 1912.  The first graduating class in Payson was the Class of 1893 with 13 graduates.