Payson First 100 Years--Charles H. White 21st Mayor

PAYSON–THE FIRST 100 YEARS
Part 23–Charles H.  White–21st Mayor
Payson Historical Society


    Charles H.  White became Twenty-first Mayor of the city in January, 1922.  On September 25, 1922 the property east of Memorial Park was bought from John Staheli.  It was used for awhile as a tourist park, then later converted into a playground.
    May 17, 1923, the Payson Hotel, formerly the Craven Hotel was destroyed by fire.  The Spanish Fork Fire department was called to help put out the blaze.  A Mr.  Houston of Salt Lake had bought the hotel two weeks before.  It was a total loss.
    Dr.  A.  L.  Curtis bought the John Huish residence on First East and Utah Avenue and opened a hospital with a nine bed capacity.  It wasn't long until the hospital was remodeled to accomodate fifteen beds.  This hospital was operated with the Payson doctors cooperating until the city hospital was built in the late 1930s.
    The Lions Club was organized in 1924 with Dr.  Grover Christensen as the first president and about twenty-five charter members ever since.  This organization has proved very beneficial both socially and civically .
    A "no parking" sign and an electric light was placed in front of the fire station on Utah Avenue.
    The "White Way" as it was called was installed in 1925 by Frank Coombs.  New poles and lights were placed on each side of Main Street from Second North to Second South.  It was completed in December. *

*Quoted from “The Payson Story” page 20, published by the Payson Centennial Committee, October 1950