Payson was settled on Oct. 20, 1850, when a group of Mormons consisting of James Pace, John C. Searle, Andrew J. Stewart with their families, and two boys, Allison Hill and Nathaniel Haws, arrived at the northwestern extremity of the city. The creek on which Payson is located derives its name from an Indian Chief Peteetneet, for whom the town was first named, later changed to "Pacen" in honor of James Pace, hence "Payson." This cabin was built in 1863 on the outskirts of Payson by Everett Richmond, an English emigrant.