PHOTO OF THE DAY--EARLY CITY HALL AND JAIL

CITY HALL AND JAIL

     In 1870 the first brick building was constructed on the west side of Telegraph Street  between West Jog Street and South Street.  In today’s address system that would be Main Street between 200 and 300 South.  The plans for the new two story building were drawn by Jesse Finlayson.
     The building was utilized as a City Hall with offices for the mayor, city council and a court room on the main floor.  There was a jail located in one corner of the basement.  Later a separate building was constructed just north of the city hall to house the jail.  The second floor of the City Hall was used for dances, weddings, and suppers of a public nature.
     In 1873 the first high school south of Salt Lake City was established in Payson by J. L. Townsend.  It was located on the upper floor of the City Hall.  The school closed in 1875 when the Brigham Young Academy opened in Provo.
     In 1896 a belfry was added and a bell was sounded as a curfew at 9:00 PM each night.  The bell was also used as a fire alarm.  The building was demolished in 1925 when Nebo School District purchased the property as a location to construct a new junior high school in Payson.