Payson, Town center in Gila County, United States
Payson is a town center in Gila County, Arizona, set at 1500 meters elevation within the Tonto National Forest. The surroundings consist of pine woodland and mountain ranges that extend along the Mogollon Rim, offering several access routes to walking areas.
The settlement carried the name Green Valley from 1882 before being renamed two years later after congressman Levi Joseph Payson. He had supported the establishment of a post office, which granted the place official recognition.
The settlement has held rodeo competitions since 1884, with events each year drawing crowds to the arena. This connection to ranch traditions appears in local shops and gathering spots, where gear and memorabilia remain on display.
Hundreds of kilometers of trails pass through the surrounding pine forests and offer routes of varying difficulty. Many trailheads lie close to the town center and remain accessible year-round, though snow may fall occasionally in winter.
During Prohibition, residents produced a spirit known locally as Payson Dew. It reached buyers as far as Los Angeles and brought the remote settlement brief recognition beyond its borders.
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