In 1890, the Payson Brass Band and the Huish Band consolidated and formed what was to be known as “The Payson Silver Band.” The group purchased a set of seven new silver instruments. They instruments were paid for by the members in cooperation with the patronage of the public.
Over the next ten years, the band performed at many locations from Ogden in the north to Mt. Pleasant in the south. With success that the band was having, they began to consider the possibility of building a facility in which they could play and hold dances. In 1902, the members of the band set about building what was to become known as “The Payson Pavilion. It was located on the southeast corner of today’s Utah Avenue and 100 West
The dance floor had one of the best spring floors in the county. The orchestra or band sat on a built-in stand on the south end of the building. There was a balcony located on the north side of the building. You entered the building at the northeast corner of the building. The ticket office was also located near the entrance. The rest of the wall space was lined with built-in seats or benches. There were large windows on the east and west ends that could be opened in warm weather. Each of the corners held a large pot-bellied stove that helped to heat the dance hall in the winter.
There were dances that were held every Saturday night. There were also dances on some of the other nights if there was a special occasion. Payson High School held their school dances in the building as late as 1940. The students decorated the ceiling with crepe paper streamers. There was a large revolving ball that was located near the center of the ceiling. The high school also held most of their basketball games in the building. The large pavilion was also used for a skating rink.
The first manager was George A. Peery, a local grocer. He was followed by George Amos, Charles Pace, and Page Peery. Page Peery was later a police officer for Payson City.
The Silver Band had several directors until 1911 when it was disbanded for the first time. In 1914-15 the band was reorganized. The band played at the Pavilion as well as other locations in other nearby towns until about 1918. This group also played at weekly concerts that were held in a circular bandstand a short distance east of the pavilion. This group also started the Sunday evening concerts when the Memorial Park and the bandstand were constructed in 1920. The concerts are still held every Sunday in the park. The Payson Silver Band was finally disbanded in 1950.
Melvin Done, the conductor in 1920, composed the piece, Memorial Park, that still opens each concert today.
In about 1928, the band sold the Payson Pavilion to Stan Wilson. Mr. Wilson leased the Payson Pavilion to Ralph Miglaccio in 1931.
. By about 1947 dancing as an entertainment was in a decline. Mr. Wilson razed the old Pavilion. He then leased the corner property to Standard Oil. Standard Oil constructed a station on the corner site.
The station was managed by a number of individuals including L. Roy Barnett, Dutch Wightman, and Leo Daley. In 1971, the station was leased to Union Oil and it then became a “76" station. Wayne Carter operated his station in this location after he closed his old station that was located adjacent to the Turf Club.
The station was closed a number of years ago and the building is now the home of Mt. Loafer Insurance Agency. This corner of the Payson business district has been the home to a number of successful businesses in the last 115 years.
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