Payson--The First 100 Years--Henry Erlandson--Nineteenth Mayor

PAYSON–THE FIRST 100 YEARS

Part 21–Henry Erlandson–Nineteenth  Mayor

Payson Historical Society

Free Mail Service — Memorial Park Buill

            “Mayor Thomas Reece went out of office and Henry Erlandson took over in 1918 as the  nineteenth mayor of Payson.  His administration finished the paving project started by the previous administration.

            The war brought many problems.  The flu broke out during the winter of 1918-19.  Drs. Curtis and Stewart had been called to war.  This left Payson without a doctor.  Mayor Erlandson worked with the Red Cross.  Some of those working with him to help the sick were Wildman, Murphy, Delora Reed, Sara Mitchell Barnett and Daisy Harding.  Food and medical supplies were taken to the stricken families.

            November 11, 1918,  the armistice was signed at 5 a.m. and by 11 o'clock the war was over.  The bell on the City Hall rang out the good tidings to the people of Payson.

            Free mail service was started and the houses numbered.  The mail has been delivered to the homes since then. With the numbering of homes,  E. Street was changed to Utah Avenue.

            June 30, 1919,  the machinery in the old electric light plant was sold to the Thomas Electric Company for $1020.00, the building was sold to Frank Harris.

            To commemorate the services for enlisted soldiers from the City of Payson and vicinity during the World War of 1914-1918, the Memorial Park was built. Grass was planted the Spring of 1919.  Each of the new trees was planted by a veteran or his representative, and by the City officials who inaugurated the memorial enterprise.  This was the second park of its kind in the United States.  The first Park was in Baltimore, Maryland.  It was built upon the suggestion of S. D. Johnson of  Springville, brother-in-law of Mrs. Finlayson.  The landscape architect was Prof. Emil Hansen, Supt. of grounds at U. S. A. C. Henry Drissell was the first gardener.

            The large Locust trees were removed from the cemetery and young  hardwood trees planted.  This greatly improved the appearance.” *

*Quoted from “The Payson Story” page 19, published by the Payson Centennial Committee, October 1950