Tag: Payson

Payson is a town in northern Gila County, Arizona, United States. Its location puts it almost exactly in the geographic center of Arizona. It has been called “The Heart of Arizona”. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town is 15,257.
Located at 34°14′22″N 111°19′39″W / 34.23944°N 111.3275°W / 34.23944; -111.3275 (34.239462, -111.327456), at an elevation of 4,921 feet (1,500 m), the town has a total area of 19.5 square miles (51 km). The Mogollon Rim lies to the north; there are a few small lakes in the area.
Nearby communities include Star Valley, Pine, Strawberry and Rye, all within Gila County.
“Zane Grey Country” is a term for the area around Payson, Arizona. This term was most often used in 1970s and 1980s, and appeared in the header of the local newspaper, The Payson Roundup. In recent times it has fallen somewhat out of favor, as the term “Rim Country” has become more popular among locals.
Payson considers its founding year as 1882, at which time…