The History of Payson High School
Payson (population 1,066) is located in far-western Illinois about eight miles southeast of Quincy.
The town was platted in the southwestern portion of Adams County. Illinois Route 96 is the main roadway to and from
Payson. The Fall Creek flows through the center and north side of town while the Pigeon Creek flows through the
south side of town. The Mississippi River is located just four miles west of Payson.
The history of the town and its years of solo high school service are in need of research.
We know that a high school was probably established in Payson by the late 1800s or early1900s. Payson High School served
the community for many years and continues to do so today. In 1916 a family named Seymour erected a
school in town in honor of a boy named Charles Seymour, who was killed at the age of 16 in an accident while playing
baseball. A ball struck him in the chest and he died. We believe that Payson High School and Seymour High School
co-existed in Payson for several years before the two schools eventually merged together,. This merger probably took
place in the late 1940s. Payson High School is recognized differently from Payson Seymour High School on the IHSA
websitre (www.ihsa.org).
Jeffrey Hughes provided this version of the Payson High School history:
"I believe the school was built and it served as the high school, as a lot of small towns served still today
by the district had grade schools. Later (50's or so) a High school was built across the street as Seymour High School. The
old school was renamed Seymour Grade school at that time. Payson High was there before the Seymour family built theirs, and
some structural stuff existed during completion, including the gym. This will explain the different names. There is actually
a large trophy cabinet in the grade school containing all high school athletic trophies from the old days, and another few
in the "new" school."
The fate of the original Payson High School building is being sought. The Seymour building built in
1916 is utilized today as a grade school for the Payson Seymour School District. For more reading about the history of Payson
check out the web address of http://history.rays-place.com/il/adams-payson.htm .
Payson High School Quick Facts
Year opened:
late 1800s / early 1900s
Year closed: late
1940s?
Consolidated to:
Payson Seymour High School
Payson HS team nickname: unavailable
PHS team colors:
unavailable
School Fight Song: unavailable
