Winter on Main about 1920--Photo of the Day

This photo was taken in about 1920.  It is on the east side of the street near today's Morganson Frame.  Notice the light poles were still along the street at this time.

Original William Douglass Store--Photo of the Day

The building in the center of the photo was the William Douglass store that was built in 1869 at about 103 North Main in today's address system.  The Wagon Wheel Park is located there today.  To the rear of the building we seen the Union Hall which was used as a theater and dance hall as well as all kinds of public amusements and recreation.  To the left if the post office and the tin shop.  Later the   Payson Co-oprative and Manufacturing Institution was organized in 1869 and they purchased the stock and goods and Mr. Douglass then acted as an agent for the organization.  The co-op followed the pattern established by the LDS Church where all the settlers were encouraged to cease trading with the gentile merchants and trade with the co-op.
The store purchased shoe and boot manufacturing equipment and started making boots and shoes to be sold in the co-op.  The co-op also owned a flour  mill and a sawmill.

Payson Main Street 1925--Photo of the Day

The car is sitting in front of Knowles Motor during the winter of 1925.  The location later became the location of J C. Penney for many years.  After the closing of the store many different businesses was located in the building.  It was Main Street Antiques for many years and was then know as the Arcade.  It was later remodeled and became the home of the present Payson City Library.

Huish Furniture and Casket Company--Photo of the Day

This building was constructed 1870 by Walter Huish.  It was located between Main Street and 100 North on the north side of the street.  It housed a furniture manufacturing and sales on the first floor.  The upper floor was the location where caskets were manufactures.  After Walter Huish died, his son operated the business as John Huish and Sons.  In 1916, after the death of Huish, in the building was sold to C. C. F. Dixon another local merchant.  Mr. Dixon had established a that was located in several locations after being founded.  He moved his market to this building where it was operated by several members of the family until 1972.  After the death of Douglas Dixon the building housed several other businesses until it was demolished and a car wash was constructed on part of the property.

Main Street 1914 Looking North from 100 South--Photo of the Day

This photo was taken about 1914.  On the left is the Simons-Wightman Building.  Vacant lot to the south was later the location of the Shuler Garage.  On the corner on the left is the Harness Shop and the Hyrum Lemmon Building is to the north.

Pioneer Funeral Procession

Pioneer funeral procession moving along Main Street to 100 North.  Some of the buildings can still be recognized today

Original Spring Lake LDS Church--Photo of the Day

 

The Spring Lake Ward was organized as a branch in 1877.  It was originally a branch of the Santaquin Ward and a year later it became a branch of the Payson Second Ward.  In 1898 this building was constructed.  It was completed in 1899.  Originally it was a one room church.  The room served as a chapel, dining hall for dinners and banquets as well as a dance floor and an auditorium for programs.  There was an elevated stage in the east end of the building.  Whenever there was a death in the branch, the stage was decorated in a filmy material that made a backdrop for the services.  The branch was changed to a ward in 1901.

Payson High Looking north on Main Street-- 1916--Photo of the Day

This is Payson High School in 1916.  We are looking north on Main Street.  the High School Gym was not constructed until 22 years after this photo was taken.  This is the location today of the Payson Pool Complex.

Orem Railroad Station--Photo of the Day

Payson was the southern end of the Salt Lake and Utah Railway.  Some referred to it as the Orem  Electric Railroad.  The station was located just east of Main Street on 100 North.  It would have been located where we find the parking lot of the Crest General Store today.  George A. Cheever Sr. was station master until the railroad ceased operation in 1946.

Nebo Stake Tabernacle and Tithing Office--1908--Photo of the Day

This photo taken about 1908 looking north on Main Street.  Nebo Stake Tabernacle is on the right and the Nebo Stake Tithing House is on the left across the street.

Orem Railroad Tracks Turning into Station--Photo of the Day

This photo taken in late 1915 or early 1916 showing the laying of the Orem Electric Railroad tracks entering the station.  In the background is the Cravens-Wightman Hotel that later destroyed in a fire..  It was located where we find Zions Bank today.  The Orem Station was located approximately where we find the Crest parking lot today.

Payson Main Street--Winter 1890--Photo of the Day

This photo was taken between Depot Street (Utah Avenue) and 100 South.  The sleigh would be about in front of today's library.  Todays  Morganson Frame Building is located on the right.

Payson Main Street in the 1930's--Photo of the Day

Payson Main Street looking North from about 150 South Main.  Crump Motor is located on the right,  The building to the north is the Skaggs Market (Hyrum Lemmon Building).  It seems the street was much wider in those days.

Water Wagon entering Main Street

The City Water Wagon is seen entering Main Street about 1895 from 100 South.  The water wagon was used to keep the dust down on the city streets.  Note the Simons-Wightman Building behind the wagon and the Hyrum Lemmon Dry Goods Store across the street.

Main Street Looking east on Utah Avenue 1914

The Douglass Building is on the left.  It was demolished in the 1950s and was replaced by the new City Drug Building.  To the east is the Lewis Drug building.  Today the building houses Trading Talents Boutique.  Across the street to the south of Lewis Drug is the Payson Exchange Bank.  It went bankrupt a number of years after this photo was taken.  The building was later purchased by Payson City in 1927.  The building was used for almost 50 years for the library, city offices and police station.

Conk Service Station--Photo of the Day

     The southeast corner of 100 North and Main Street has seen many changes during the last 100 years.  The location was originally located within the walls of Old Fort Payson.   The property was originally owned by David Wilson who had his home at that location.
     Later, a large two story building was constructed on the site and the Hancock General Merchandise Store was established in the building.  It was later known as the Hancock-Page Building.  It housed a number of businesses until the building was destroyed by fire in 1931
     Arvil Conk operated a service station at that location for a number of years.  It was adjacent to the Orem Railroad Station you see in the background.
     In about 1938, the Conk station was demolished and a UTOCO service station was constructed on the site.  Various individuals operated the station until it was demolished in the late 1900s and the present Crest Service Station was constructed on the site.

Old Payson City Hall--Photo of the Day

     The Old Payson City Hall was located at about 270 South Main in Payson.  It was constructed 1in 1870.  It was one of the first brick buildings in the city.  The building was used as a City Hall with offices for the Mayor, city council, and a court on the main floor.  There was a jail located in a corner of the basement.  The second floor was used for dances, weddings, and suppers of a public nature.
     In 1873, the first high school south of Salt Lake City was established by Joseph L. Townsend.  He was also the author of many hymns found in LDS Hymn books today.  It was located on the second floor of the building.  It closed in 1875 when the Brigham Young Academy was opened in 1875.
      A belfry was added in 1896 and a curfew was sounded at 9:00 PM.   The building was demolished in 1925 and the New Payson Junior High was built on the location.    
     In 2009, the Junior High Building was purchased by the LDS Church and the building was demolished and a new LDS Church was built on the site.

Payson Presbyterian Church and Parsonage--Photo of the Day

The Payson Presbyterian Mission was opened in August of 1877.   They opened a school in September 1877.  In 1883 they constructed  new  church and parsonage on Main Street between 100 and 200 South.  The pastor and his family lived in the home to the south of the church.

Orem Railroad Peteetneet Cut--Photo of the Day

During the construction of the Orem Electric Railroad, a cut was made through the hill north of the Peteetneet School.  Notice the bridge.  It took 600  East over the cut to connect with the highway coming into Payson from Salem.

Old Payson Second LDS Ward--Photo of the Day

The Old Payson Second LDS Ward Building.  It was later remodeled and the corner entrance was closed.  Today, this building located on 100 South and 300 West is known as "The Green Church."

Welcome to Payson--Photo of the Day

Entering Payson from the East.  This is about 10th East and 100 North About 1918.  Today we would find the Post Office located to the right of the sign.  Note the raised roadbed of the Orem Electric Railroad

Payson Then and Now Books Available Now

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