Paydown is an unincorporated community in northeastern Maries County, Missouri, United States. [1]
The community is located along Missouri Route N approximately 2.5 miles northeast of Bend and five miles southwest of Belle. The Gasconade River flows past one-half mile west of the community. [2]
Paydown got its start circa 1830 when a large gristmill was built there. [3] According to tradition, the proprietor of the mill required all customers to "pay down" promptly, hence the name. [4] A post office called Pay Down was in operation from 1856 until 1932. [5]
38°13′44″N 91°48′14″W / 38.22889°N 91.80389°W