What Is Clay Center Kansas Famous For?
Clay Center is a city of approximately 4,000 residents located in north-central Kansas. Founded in 1866, Clay Center serves as the county seat of Clay County and is situated along the Republican River. While a relatively small rural community, Clay Center has become regionally known for its agriculture, education system, arts and culture scene, and local sports teams. This central Kansas town may be small in size, but it has developed a reputation for several unique points of pride that make it famous within the state and beyond.
History and Founding
Clay Center was founded in 1862. The city was named after Henry Clay, the famous American statesman from Kentucky. Clay Center was incorporated as a city in 1875. Some key events and figures in Clay Center’s early history include:
In 1862, A.S. Graham established a trading post at the junction of the Republican River and Clay Creek. This trading post formed the genesis of Clay Center. Graham played a key role in Clay Center’s founding and early development. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clay_Center,_Kansas)
In 1866, D.M. Steele built the first flour mill in Clay County next to Clay Creek just south of the present Main Street bridge. Milling and agriculture were key early industries.
The Clay Center National Bank was founded in 1872 and helped provide early banking services and capital investment in the town. The bank opened for business on July 1, 1872. (https://tfdsupplies.com/blogs/local-historical-events/7-pieces-of-history-near-clay-center-ks)
The town was named an official city in 1875 and continued to grow as a regional hub for agriculture and business. The early settlers were drawn by fertile land and Clay Center’s location along the Republican River.
Agriculture
Clay County’s economy is primarily based on agriculture. According to the 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture, there were 547 farms in Clay County encompassing 389,654 acres of land. The main agricultural outputs are cattle, corn, soybeans, and wheat. Cattle production makes up over 50% of the total market value of agricultural products sold in the county. There are around 91,000 head of cattle in Clay County as of 2017.
Corn and soybeans are the primary field crops grown in the area. In 2017, there were 163,654 acres of corn harvested and 104,832 acres of soybeans harvested in the county. Wheat is another major crop, with 29,239 acres harvested in 2017. Much of the grain produced is utilized for livestock feed. There are several grain elevators and agricultural cooperatives such as Central Valley Ag and Landmark Ag that support crop farming in the region (Source 1).
The landscape around Clay Center consists of fertile cropland ideal for growing feed grains and raising livestock. There are many cow-calf operations as well as cattle feeding enterprises that finish cattle for harvest. PrairieLand Partners, a John Deere equipment dealer, has a location in Clay Center to serve the needs of area farmers (Source 3).
Education
Clay County USD 379 serves students in Clay Center and the surrounding rural areas. The district operates four schools: Lincoln Elementary School (K-3), Garfield Elementary School (4-5), Clay Center Community Middle School (6-8), and Clay Center Community High School (9-12) (https://www.usd379.org/).
Clay Center Community High School is the only high school in the district, serving around 500 students each year. The school offers a variety of academic programs including Advanced Placement courses, career and technical education, and concurrent college enrollment through Cloud County Community College (https://www.usd379.org/o/clay-center-hs).
According to statistics from the Kansas State Department of Education, Clay Center schools have strong outcomes compared to state averages. For example, the 4-year high school graduation rate is around 95%, versus the state average of 87%. On state assessments, around 60% of Clay Center students score proficient or higher in reading and math, compared to around 40% statewide.
Arts and Culture
Clay Center has a thriving arts and culture scene. The Clay County Arts Council provides programs that educate, promote, and build awareness of the arts in the community. Some of the popular events include Chautauqua in the Park, which brings entertainment and education together, and the Annual Ice Sculpture Festival, where blocks of ice are transformed into beautiful sculptures.
The town is also home to talented artists and writers. Susie Hammond, a Clay Center native, is a renowned papercut artist whose work has been displayed internationally. Author Don Coldsmith penned over 45 novels, many depicting Native American life on the Great Plains in the 19th century. His book The Changing Wind won the Western Writers of America Spur Award.
Clay Center has a rich history of supporting the arts. The Rex Theater originally opened in 1919 as a vaudeville house before becoming a movie theater. After sitting vacant for decades, the renovated Rex Theater reopened in 1987 as a performing arts center. It continues to host concerts, live theater productions, and other cultural events.
Sports
The town of Clay Center is home to many popular local sports teams that compete at the high school, collegiate, and adult recreational levels. The Clay Center Community High School Tigers participate in the North Central Kansas League and are known for excelling in football, basketball, wrestling, tennis, track and field, cross country, baseball and softball over the years.
The Clay Center Tigers football team has a storied history, winning multiple regional championships and appearing in the state championship game in 1980, 1990, and 2016 according to the school’s athletics page. Some standout football players from Clay Center include Tyrel Reed, who went on to play basketball for the University of Kansas, and NFL offensive tackle Hercules Satele.
The school is especially competitive in wrestling, producing several individual state champions as well as team state titles in 1985, 1987, and 2021 as noted on the athletics page. The Clay Center Community High School gymnasium hosts many regional and state championship tournaments, with the school’s pep band providing entertainment.
Beyond school sports, adult baseball and softball leagues are popular summer pastimes using the town’s recreational fields. The Clay Center Country Club hosts an annual member golf tournament along with regular men’s, women’s, and couples leagues. Fitness centers, parks, swimming pools, and walking trails provide year-round opportunities for residents to stay active.
Businesses and Major Employers
Clay Center is home to several major employers that drive economic growth and innovation in the region. Some of the largest private sector employers include Caterpillar, Griffin Wheel, Goodyear Tire, and Mid Kansas Cooperative Association (Industries).
Caterpillar operates a hydraulic excavator manufacturing facility that employs over 500 people. The plant first opened in Clay Center in 1986 and has expanded multiple times, reflecting Caterpillar’s continued investment in the community (Clay County, KS).
Griffin Wheel Company and Goodyear Tire also have sizable manufacturing plants, specializing in rail car wheels/components and commercial tires. Major agricultural cooperatives like Mid Kansas Cooperative Association support the area’s farmers and ranchers.
In addition to large industrial employers, Clay Center is seeing growth among small businesses in sectors like healthcare, financial services, retail, and hospitality. Entrepreneurs benefit from the town’s central location and resources like the Clay County Economic Development group.
Tourism
Clay Center has several attractions and activities for visitors to enjoy. The town is known for its beautiful outdoor murals located throughout the downtown area. There are over 30 murals painted on building walls, creating an outdoor art gallery. Visitors can take a self-guided walking tour to view them all. Some of the most popular murals include “Best Friends” at 6th and Lincoln Street, “In the Garden” at 5th and Lincoln Street, and the Martin Luther King Jr mural at 4th and Lincoln Street. Many of the murals depict Clay Center’s agricultural history and values.
The Clay County Historic Museum and Art Center is also a top attraction. Located in a historic Carnegie library building, the museum showcases local history exhibits and artwork. The Idle Hour Ranch offers horseback riding opportunities and hosts special events.
For outdoor recreation, Idle Hour Park and Zoo has picnic areas, playgrounds, mini golf, paddle boats, and animals to visit. The public municipal swimming pool provides summertime water fun.
Notable People
Clay Center has produced several notable people over the years. One of the most famous is Herb Bradley (1874-1927) who played professional baseball as an outfielder and pitcher from 1901 to 1910. He most notably played for the Cincinnati Reds and Brooklyn Superbas (now the Los Angeles Dodgers).
Tracy Claeys (1969-present) is a former American football coach who served as the head coach at Minnesota from 2015 to 2016 where he had a record of 11–8. He previously served as an assistant coach under Jerry Kill at multiple schools including Northern Illinois, Southern Illinois, and Minnesota.
Tenney Frank (1876–1939) was an influential American historian. He taught ancient history at Johns Hopkins University and wrote extensively on Roman social history. His work focused on the ethnic composition of the late Roman Empire and contributed to the idea of racial mixing leading to the fall of civilizations.
Other notable people from Clay Center include musician and composer Albert Benjamin Oliver, computer scientist Anita Borg, and astronaut Joseph M. Acaba.
Overall, Clay Center has produced a range of notable figures in fields like sports, academia, arts, and space exploration. Though a small town, its residents have found success and made significant contributions in their areas of expertise.
Conclusion
Clay Center, Kansas has made its mark as an agricultural, educational, and cultural hub in the state’s history. Founded in the 1860s and incorporated in 1879, the city grew with the arrival of the railroad and establishment of Southwestern College. It became a prosperous farming community and regional marketplace. While agriculture remains vital to the economy, Clay Center is also known for its arts scene, sports teams, businesses, and famous residents. The city takes pride in its heritage and progress through the generations.
Despite its small size, Clay Center boasts an impressive artistic legacy. The Clay County Historical Museum and Art Gallery preserves local history and showcases works by acclaimed artists. The Fox Theater, a historic vaudeville venue, continues to host performances and celebrations. Clay Center’s high school has an award-winning band program. Creative pursuits thrive thanks to community support.
With educational institutions, businesses, and nonprofits spurring innovation, Clay Center seems poised for growth. The city’s future remains rooted in its farming foundation while cultivating emerging opportunities. Residents carry on the entrepreneurial spirit of the pioneers who put Clay Center on the map. Its lasting legacy is one of hard work, service, and celebration of the arts.
