Old Pictures Hold Histories--and Mysteries--of a Long-Gone Payson Era and Its People

A large manila envelope holds images of Payson from an era long since past.  The light-brown envelope is filled with black-and-white photographs that, by all appearances, were taken well over fifty years ago.  But while landmarks reveal some of the locations where they were taken, structures that are distinctively Payson, what is uncertain are the identities of the people depicted in these relics of local history.

Tied with the hope that the photographs’ subjects, or their descendants, will recognize them, the photos were brought into The Payson Chronicle office and made available for claim.

They were discovered decades ago by the family of the late Wayne “Lucky” Pickering, who passed away in 1981. Lucky was a cabinetmaker by trade, a respected local businessman, and an artist.  He ran a shop in Payson’s Downtown called Pickering Cabinet and Doors over a half-century ago.

Creating art his complementary interest, he employed a number of methods to pursue its creation, from making pottery to photography.  This has led some of his family members to believe these photos were taken by him.

They are available to view and claim at The Payson Chronicle Office, located at 145 East Utah Avenue, in Payson.