Artifacts found in the Rim Country mark the presence of an ancient people who hunted here 10,000 years ago. Evidence of later inhabitants (AD 600 until 1350), called “the Ancient People,” is plentiful with the remnants of their prehistoric dwellings still dotting the area. Later, new groups of Native Americans took over the Rim Country; Yavapai from the west and the Tonto Apaches from the north and east.

During the Civil War, U.S. Army soldiers from Fort McDowell, Camp Reno and Camp Verde are believed to have been the first white men to venture into the Rim Country. These military posts had been established in the Arizona Territory by the Union Army to protect against an anticipated invasion by the Confederacy. With the end of the Civil War, the troops in the Territory were assigned to protect the settlers of the region from marauding Yavapai/Apache Indians.

Miners, having heard tales of gold and silver from the soldiers, made their way into Rim Country and were among the early settlers. About forty residents situated themselves in what was called at various times, Big Valley, Long Valley, Green Valley or Union Park, and, eventually, became known as Payson.

Another area, Pleasant Valley, was the home of the legendary Graham-Tewksbury feud – also known as The Pleasant Valley War - which began in the 1870's and endured for 15 years, claiming dozens of lives.

Cultural Activities

There are a variety of cultural opportunities available to the residents of Northern Gila County/Payson region.

Art - The Payson Fine Art Guild and Payson Art League have artists working in a variety of media among their membership. These groups offer workshops and exhibitions.

Music - Local musical groups such as the Payson Choral Society and Rim Civic Orchestra perform several productions each year. The Town of Payson also offers free concerts every Saturday night for several weeks during the summer. These professional groups perform under the stars at Green Valley Park. In addition to quality local talent, the Tonto Community Concert Association sponsors a number of quality performances by artists from outside the area.

Theater - The Rim Repertory Community Theater traditionally produces two plays annually and Payson High School typically presents three to four major theatrical productions each year.

Museums – The region’s history is preserved and retold in its area museums. These include the Rim Country Museum, the Pine/Strawberry Museum and the new Museum of Rim Country Archeology. Further historical insights can be obtained at the website for the Northern Gila County Historical Society and the Pine/Strawberry Archeological and Historical Society website.                                              

The Northern Gila County and Payson regions were also the stomping grounds for legendary western author Zane Grey who lived in the area for a number of years. The region was the source of inspiration for at least fourteen of the more than ninety books he penned. At last count, his books have spawned at least 111 films. An authentic replica of Zane Grey’s cabin, destroyed in the 1990 Dude Fire, was recently completed and is located in Payson’s Green Valley Park adjacent to the Rim Country Museum.

Rodeo – It is of considerable local pride that Payson is the official home of the "World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo."