Marker #3

Center of Fort Payson

Now continue north on 200 East, turn left on 100 North heading west. Then turn right on Main Street heading north. The center of Fort Payson marker will be located on the west side of the road.

This point was the center of Fort Payson and was the fort square.  On the corner, where the church stands, stood the Tithing House. A little to the west of that, the corn crib, and west of that was the grainery and on the corner to the west was the blacksmith shop and barn.  To the south stood the old Fairbanks home.  It was moved and is now restored in the “This Is the Place State Park” in Salt Lake City.  Their original home in the east is one of the oldest homes in America.

Across the street, where Central Bank now stands, was a bowery.  Poles were placed in the ground and more poles and branches were placed across the top for shade.  This was the public meeting place for church and all events taking place in 1853. In 1855 they met in the Nebeker School.

Now look directly across the street to the red sandstone mansion on the corner.  The red sandstone mansion was built in 1893 by John Dixon who was a banker, land holder, and one time mayor of Payson in 1900. He slept with a pistol for protection.

The large brick and sandstone mansion just to the north was built in 1897 by Jack Dixon. He was a brother to John Dixon. He had cattle and large land holdings.

This corner of the square was the public wood pile. Across the street west, on the corner, the large grey stucco and rock mansion was built by Samuel Douglas in 1874. He had cattle and a local mercantile store that sold everything and was the campground for visitors.  The story is told that during times of celebrations there were many traveling visitors as well as Indians using the public campground Just a little south if where 200 North and Main Street intersect is a sunken hole in the street. This was the fort’s well for drinking water.  A flag pole stood nearby.

The three above-mentioned homes along with the Historic Peteetneet School are four local landmarks that are listed as Utah Historical Sites.