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CLAY COUNTY
A SOUTHERN HEIRESS ON THE WESTERN FRONTIER; LAND OF
CULTURE, LEGEND, AND ROMANCE
BY FLOYD C. SHOEMAKER*
Clay County, a bit of the Old South transplanted on western
frontier over a century ago, today offers some fascinating combinations of contrast—the landscape with its handsome sweep of
prairie land offset by rolling green hills; the county seat with its
small town charm and convenience of a metropolitan suburban
area; and the whole country with its Southern, ante-bellum homes
and fascinating frontier landmarks subduing the bustle and activity
of the modern industrial era.
The first permanent settlers did not arrive until about 1819,
although hunters and trappers had been in this territory for many
years before the Lewis and Clark Expedition passed in 1804. But
in only a few years after settlement began, the area, then a part of
Ray County, had become so well populated that it was decided to
create a new county, and in 1822 Clay County, named in honor of
Henry Clay, was organized. This same year John Owens and
Charles McGee donated 25 acres for the county seat, Liberty, and
the first sale of lots was held that summer. Although the legislature
did not incorporate Liberty until 1851, it was incorporated by the
county court in 1829.
The county at this time extended to the Iowa border, not
being reduced to its present size until 1833 when Clinton County
was formed. Shortly after the county's organization the first
session of the county court was held in the sitting room of John
Owens' house where the county officers were appointed, among
them being the first sheriff, John Harris, and the first county clerk,
William L. Smith. The next few years saw the establishment of
a tanyard, a distillery, a saddle and harness shop, and various other
*An address delivered at the dedication of the Clay County Highway Historical
Marker on June 9, 1957, at William Jewell College on U. S. Highway 10 at Liberty,
Missouri.
Floyd C. Shoemaker since 1915 has been secretary, editor, and librarian of the
State Historical Society of Missouri, following five years as assistant secretary.
25
Object Description
| Title | Missouri Historical Review, Volume 52 Issue 1, October 1957 |
| Volume | 52 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Month | October |
| Year | 1957 |
| Publisher | The State Historical Society of Missouri |
| Publisher-Electronic | The State Historical Society of Missouri |
| Rights | Copyright The State Historical Society of Missouri, 2008 |
| ISSN | 0026-6581 |