PICTURES TELL THE PAYSON STORY -- PAYSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY: PAYSON RACE TRACK

Crowds at the South Turn of the Payson Race Track (photo undated)

In 1928, the governor of Utah encouraged all cities to establish some type of a celebration to help with the economy of the late 1920's. The country was in the beginning of the Great Depression at that time. Dr. L. D. Stewart, a local physician and surgeon, became the mayor that year. It was under his direction that the first Homecoming Celebration was held in Payson in 1929.

Mayor Stewart, was general chairman of the celebration. He was involved in the breeding of thoroughbred race horses. He suggested that the city adopt horse races to induce the public and former residents of Payson to attend the celebration.

Find the rest of the story, along with photographs of Payson's race track at various stages in time, in the upcoming edition of The Payson Chronicle.