Payson, Arizona facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Payson, Arizona
Town
Green Valley Park
Flag
Motto(s):  "Arizona's Cool Mountain Town"
Location of Payson in Gila County, Arizona
Payson, Arizona Location in Arizona Show map of Arizona Payson, Arizona Location in the United States Show map of the United States Payson, Arizona Location in North America Show map of North America
Country	United States
State	Arizona
County	Gila
Incorporated	1973
Government
• Type	Council-manager
• Body	Payson Town Council
Area
• Total	19.36 sq mi (50.13 km2)
• Land	19.35 sq mi (50.11 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation	5,100 ft (1,554.48 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	16,361
• Density	845.10/sq mi (326.30/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (MST (no DST))
ZIP codes	85541, 85547
Area code(s)	928
FIPS code	04-53700
GNIS ID(s)	32746, 2413121

Payson is a town in northern Gila County, Arizona, United States. It is often called "The Heart of Arizona" because it's very close to the center of the state. The town is surrounded by the huge Tonto National Forest. This is the largest national forest in Arizona.

Payson is famous for its fun festivals. It hosts The World's Oldest Continuous Rodeo, which started way back in 1884. The town also celebrates its musical past with the Arizona State Old Time Fiddlin' Championship. In 2020, about 16,361 people lived in Payson.

History of Payson

Before European-American settlers arrived, the area was known as Te-go-suk by the Dilzhe'e Apache people. This name means "Place of the Yellow Water." The Yavapai and Puebloan peoples also lived here a long time ago. These included the Hohokam, Mogollon, and Sinagua cultures.

Native American ruins west of Payson.

In 1882, settlers started a small community focused on logging, mining, and ranching. They called it “Green Valley."

Payson as it appeared in the 1890s.

In the same year, a battle called the Battle of Big Dry Wash happened just north of town. It was fought between the U.S. Army and members of the White Mountain Apache Tribe. This battle was part of the larger Apache Wars.

On March 3, 1884, a post office was built in Green Valley. This happened with help from Illinois Representative Levi Joseph Payson. To thank him, the town's name was changed to "Payson."

Payson held its first rodeo in 1884. The town proudly says this competition is the world's oldest and has happened every year since.

In 1918, the famous author Zane Grey visited the Payson area for the first time. He came back often until 1929. He bought land near Tonto Creek and wrote many books about the area. He even filmed movies there, like To the Last Man. You can find a replica of his cabin in Green Valley Park.

During a time called Prohibition, when alcohol was not allowed, Payson became known for making a special drink. It was called “Payson Dew” and was made in many small stills around the area. This drink was popular even far away in Los Angeles. It helped Payson's economy during that time.

In the 1930s, people worked to build better roads to connect Payson to other places. Back then, traveling from Phoenix to Payson could take eight to twelve hours. A paved road from Phoenix to Payson was finished in 1958. This highway, State Route 87, is also known as the "Beeline Highway." It was later made into a four-lane road.

Payson officially became an incorporated town in 1973.

Flooding Events

On July 15, 2017, heavy rains caused the Ellison Creek and East Verde River to flood. This flash flood affected a popular swimming spot called Water Wheel. Sadly, 10 people died and 4 others were hurt.

Geography and Nature

Payson is located in northern Gila County. It sits in a hilly and mountainous area of Arizona. The town is about 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) above sea level. It covers an area of about 19.5 square miles (50.5 square kilometers). The Mogollon Rim, a large cliff, is north of Payson. Its elevations can be over 7,500 feet (2,286 meters) high. There are several cold lakes on top of the rim. The Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks these lakes with fish.

Payson is next to the Tonto Apache Reservation. To the east, it borders the town of Star Valley. Other nearby towns include Pine, Strawberry, Gisela, and Rye. Globe, the county seat, is about 80 miles (129 km) south. State Route 87, the Beeline Highway, goes about 90 miles (145 km) southwest to Phoenix. It also goes 90 miles northeast to Winslow. State Route 260 leads about 90 miles (145 km) east to Show Low.

Zane Grey Country and Rim Country

Zane Grey cabin replica. Zane Grey had a cabin under the Mogollon Rim near Payson.

The area around Payson used to be called "Zane Grey Country." This name was popular in the 1970s and 1980s. It even appeared on the local newspaper, the Payson Roundup. Today, people often use the term "Rim Country" instead.

Cypress Trail in southeast Payson. Payson is surrounded by many mixed-use trails that cover a variety of terrain and microclimates.

Payson's Climate

Payson is about 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) high. This means it has a mix of a hot-summer Mediterranean climate and a cold semi-arid climate. The town is surrounded by different types of trees. These include pinyon-juniper woodlands, ponderosa pine trees, and Arizona cypress.

Summer days in Payson can get hot, often above 90°F (32°C). But the town's elevation helps keep it cooler than Arizona's low deserts. Temperatures can sometimes reach 100°F (38°C). Early summer is hot and dry, which means a higher risk of wildfires. Later in summer, the North American Monsoon brings thunderstorms. These storms can have heavy rain, strong winds, hail, and flash floods. Payson gets about 7 inches (18 cm) of rain from the monsoon. This is about 35% of its yearly rainfall.

Summer storm over Payson.

Temperatures change a lot between day and night. Even in summer, the difference can be more than 30 degrees.

Winters are usually sunny with mild days and cold nights. In December and January, nighttime temperatures often drop below 32°F (0°C). The coldest nights can be below 20°F (-7°C). But by afternoon, temperatures usually go above 50°F (10°C). Most winter rain falls as rain. Payson gets about 18.5 inches (47 cm) of snow each year. Snow usually melts quickly and doesn't stay on the ground for long.

Town lake in snow

In spring, you can see many desert wildflowers. These include Indian paintbrush, primroses, poppies, and lupines. You can also see colorful cactus flowers.

Population and People

In 2019, about 15,297 people lived in Payson. The town had 5,832 households. About 21.7% of these households had children under 18. The average age in Payson was 57.1 years. Most people in Payson speak English (93%), and about 5% speak Spanish.

Fun Things to Do

Heading north on Highway 87 into Payson during snowfall

Horton Creek Trail

The United States Forest Service manages most of the land around Payson. This means a lot of the area is open for outdoor activities. Payson has many hiking trails. Some popular ones are the Cypress/Boulders trail system and trails near the Mogollon Rim. The Tonto Natural Bridge is just northwest of Payson. It is believed to be the largest natural bridge made of travertine in the world.

Payson has three golf courses, but two are private. The Mazatzal Casino is run by the Tonto Apache Reservation near the south end of town.

The Payson area is also a great place for rock hounds. You can find quartz crystals, geodes, agate, and onyx. Fossils are also common in the rocks along the Mogollon Rim.

Autumn colors at See Canyon Trail.

Payson has two main parks: Green Valley Park and Rumsey Park. It also has two lakes that are part of the Urban Fish Program. Payson hosts free outdoor concerts in the summer. You can also play sports like baseball and football. There's even a small skate park.

Payson has a big Fourth of July fireworks show at Green Valley Park.

Culture and Local Legends

Mogollon Rim Country Firefighter Memorial – Rim Country Museum. The plaque lists the dates, fires and the names of the firefighters who died.

Payson is home to the yearly Arizona State Old Time Fiddlin' Championship. This event happens in September and features talented musicians. They compete for cash prizes.

Rodeos in Payson

Payson hosts two rodeos each year. In May, the Multi-Purpose Event Center holds the Gary Hardt Memorial Rodeo. In August, Payson hosts the historic August Doin's Rodeo, which started in 1884. This makes Payson the "Home of the World's Oldest Continuous Rodeo." While Prescott, Arizona has the "World's Oldest Rodeo" (from 1888), their rodeo took a break during World War II.

The Mogollon Monster

Mogollon Monster Wood Carving

The forests around Payson are part of the legend of the Mogollon Monster. This creature is described as a large, ape-like being that walks on two legs. It is said to have a strong smell, similar to Bigfoot. The legend became well-known in 1947. That year, a "big, hairy beast" was said to have visited a Boy Scout camp near Tonto Creek.

Community Services

Education in Payson

The Payson Unified School District serves the town's students. There is also a branch of Gila Community College in Payson.

Police and Emergency Services

The Payson Police Department helps keep both Payson and Star Valley safe. As of 2022, the department has 32 officers. They respond to over 16,000 calls for help each year.

The police department also has a 24/7 dispatch center. This center handles emergency calls for northern Gila County. They dispatch for Payson Police, Tonto Apache Police, and several fire departments in the area.

Getting Around Payson

The Payson Senior Center runs the Beeline Bus. This bus provides local transportation in Payson, Star Valley, and Mesa del Caballo. The Mountain Valley Shuttle also stops in Payson. It is part of a route that connects Phoenix and Show Low.

Historic Buildings and Landmarks

The following are some historic buildings and landmarks in Payson. They are recognized by the local government.

• The Haught Cabin – Henry and Sarah Haught built this log cabin in 1904. It was moved to Green Valley Park in 1999.
• The Sidles Mud House – Henry Sidles built this house from poured mud in 1882. It is located at 505A W. Main Street.
• The Pieper Mansion – August and Wilhelmina Pieper built this new house in 1893. It is located at 505 W. Main Street.
• The Ranger Station – This is the oldest Ranger Station still standing in the Southwest. It was built in 1907 for the Payson Ranger District.
• The Ranger Family House – This house was built in 1933. It is the oldest Ranger Family House still standing in the Southwest.
• The Ranger Office – This office was built in 1932. Together with the Ranger Station and Ranger Family House, it forms the ranger complex. These three buildings are now on the grounds of Green Valley Park.
• The Ox Bow Inn and Saloon – Built in 1933, this log inn was first called the Payson Hotel. It was renamed the Ox Bow Inn in 1945. It is located at 607 W Main Street.
• The Tonto Natural Bridge – This amazing natural rock formation is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world.

See also

In Spanish: Payson (Arizona) para niños