Rim Country Influence in the Territorial Years Samuel A. Haught II, Duett Ellison Hunt, George W.P. Hunt Samuel A. Haught II – First Gila County Territorial Legislator Sam and his wife, Dagmar, lived on the H-Bar ranch in Rye. Ten thousand head of cattle grazed on their ranch land from Rye to Sunflower. Tragedy […]
The Move Toward Statehood In 1910 Congress passed legislation enabling a constitutional convention for Arizona. The constitution created by the 41 Democratic and 11 Republican delegates called for: legislators of both houses to be elected every 2 years to serve a 2-year term low pay for the Governor popular elections of judges all officials, […]
February 24, 1863 — February 14, 1912 In 1789 one of the first laws approved after the ratification of the U.S. Constitution was the Northwest Ordinance. The legislation was a procedure for adding new states to the United States of America. During the conversion from territorial status to statehood a region, not under control of […]
The Dude Fire in June 1990 was a firestorm consuming over 28,000 acres of the Rim Country’s forest. On June 26, 1990 the fire claimed the lives of 6 firefighters of the Perryville Crew. Today we honor their memory. Sandra Bachman James Ellis Joseph Chacon Alex Contreras James Denney Curtis Springfield For additional information […]
How It All Began This place called the Rim Country embraces a 50 mile radius around the town of Payson. The area is named after the Mogollon Rim. The spectacular escarpment rises 2000 feet above the foothills and canyons dominating the lives of all who live and visit in the area. When Zane Grey’s travels […]
In the late 1880’s, August Pieper staked claims on the land from south McLane Road east beyond what would eventually become State Highway 87. More than half a century later, the sons of Frank Owens eyed it as a perfect place for their sawmill. In 1951 the Owens family located their sawmill in the old […]
Henry and Sarah Haught come to Rim Country In the summer of 1897 Henry and Sarah arrived in the Arizona Territory. They brought with them 5 children and Henry’s widowed mother, Mary Ann (“Gaggy”). The family was living in Oklahoma when Henry received word from his cousin Fred Haught that the country in Arizona was […]
One of Arizona’s oldest standing ranger stations will soon be opened to the public. The ranger station dates back to the early 1900’s. It is believed to be the oldest Forest Ranger Station in existence in the Southwest. In the early years the property’s buildings consisted of the ranger station, the ranger’s residence (currently used as […]
We are excited to be a part of Payson’s ADVENTURE WHERE WE LIVE program. Download the app at www.paysonrimcountry.com for information and directions to more that 60 attractons and events in the Payson/Rim Country. You’ll have the opportunity to collect points when visiting participating attractions and merchants. Collecting points earns the chance to win one […]
The Northern Gila County Historical Society, Inc. (NGCHS) and Payson Parks & Recreation would like to announce the grand “reopening” of Deming Pioneer Park, located at the corner of Main St. and McLane (the Boardman’s façade). The small park was originally dedicated in 2004 to honor Rim Country pioneers. There are 22 display windows in […]
Blue Star Museums offers free admission to active duty military, including Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard and Reserve Members, with up to five family members from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
