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History · Clay

Clay’s history is
mostly unwritten

The public archives hold no old photos of Clay. The rest are in attics, shoeboxes and the historical society. Help start the collection.

0old images & papers
0recent photos

The story so far

from Wikipedia & the U.S. Census

Clay Township is a township in Linn County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. Clay Township was established in 1869, and most likely was named after Henry Clay, a Kentucky statesman.

Between the 2010 and 2020 censuses its population grew from 248 to 282 (+14%). Half of its homes were built before 2003.

Wikipedia doesn’t have a history of Clay yet — the old photos, dates and memories neighbors add here are how it gets written.

Intro from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Population and housing: U.S. Census Bureau.

Be one of the first

Start Clay’s collection

The first neighbors to add old photos shape how Clay’s history is told.

0 of 10 decades since 1900 have photos 📦Share a family photoSign in to add one+10

Famous people close to Clay

See all 21 →
John J. PershingJohn J. PershingLaclede · 9 miJ. William FulbrightJ. William FulbrightSumner · 15 miClyde TolsonClyde TolsonLaredo · 13 miLewis R. FosterLewis R. FosterBrookfield · 13 miDADoris AkersBrookfield · 13 miDon PrattDon PrattBrookfield · 13 mi
By decade

Clay, decade by decade

Before
2000
No old photos in the archives yetWeddings on Main Street, storms, parades, school pictures, the old store. If it’s in your family album, it belongs here.
📷 Add from your album
National Register of Historic Places

Nothing in Clay is on the National Register yet

That’s true of most small towns. It doesn’t mean Clay has no history, only that no one has written up a nomination. The closest listed place is Linn County Courthouse in Linneus, 5.4 miles away.

Clay and the nearest listed places

Dashed line = Clay. Tap a dot.
Linn County CourthouseLinn County Jail and Sheriff's ResidencePlum Grove SchoolLocust Creek Covered BridgeGen. John J. Pershing Boyhood HomeGrace Episcopal Church and Building

Closest to Clay

Linn County CourthouseLinneus · Building5.4miLinn County Jail and Sheriff's ResidenceLinneus · Building5.5miPlum Grove SchoolJefferson · Building6.3miLocust Creek Covered BridgeJefferson · Structure6.4miGen. John J. Pershing Boyhood HomeLaclede · Built 18578.8mi

How a place gets listed

1Talk to the stateEvery nomination goes through the State Historic Preservation Office. Owners, towns and historical societies can start one.
2Try a local or state list firstMany states keep their own register with a shorter form, a common first step for old barns, halls and schoolhouses.
3Write it upA nomination covers the history, photos and a map. Linn County Courthouse’s page links to a real one.
Know an old place in Clay?A mill, a schoolhouse, a cellar hole, a church: add a photo of it to Clay’s story, or a memory of it.
📷 Add a photo of an old place
National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places · photos from Wikimedia Commons

Then & now

When neighbors add old photos, retakes from the same spot appear here side by side.

Stories next door

nearby towns’ history
📜 Linneus📜 Meadville📜 Jackson📜 Parson Creek
The coffee’s on

Where to, neighbor?

You’re in Clay, MOLinn CountyView boundary

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Boundary source: https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/15 · 2025-01-01
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