BACKGROUND
Clay County was formed in 1858 from parts of Braxton, Kanawha, and
Nicholas Counties and was named in honor of Henry Clay, a Kentucky statesman.
We declared out statehood in 1863. The county area is 346.1 square miles.
Approximately 10,200 lived in Clay County in 1910 while the 1990
census indicated a drop in population to 9,983.
The mean annual temperature is 55 degrees and the mean annual snowfall
ranges from 22 to 40 inches. The variation is due to mountain terrain.
Two thirds of the county lies at elevations of 1000 feet above sea level.
The county seat and ,only municipality, is in the Town of Clay ( formerly
known as ‘Clay Courthouse'). It has a Mayor/Council form of government
with the Mayor being the Chief Executive Officer. Town Council consists
of 5 members, one recorder and the Mayor. It is located 42 miles from the
State Capitol, Charleston.
POPULATION
1960 - 11,942
1970 - 9,330
1980 - 11,265
1990 - 9,983
2000 - 10,700 (projected)
WORK
There are 2,346 workers living in the county. Of that 1,241 work
inside the county while 1.016 work in another county and 1.7% ( 40) have
jobs in another state.
In the county, the largest employer is the Clay County Board of Education
with 300 or so employed. Other major employers include: Fola Coal Co. with
275; Laurel Nursing Home- 70; Pierson Lumber - 50; and, County Govt.- 35.
COUNTY GOVT.
A three member county commission governs the county. The voters elect
commissioners to a six year term of office. Annually, the members choose
one of their members as president. The County Commission has the primary
budgetary and administrative responsibility for the operation of county
government.
COMMUNICATIONS
Clay County is served by two newspapers. The mainstay for information
for the county is The Communicator and is published bi weekly. There are
no television stations in the county. The county is served by four cable
TV companies. Telephone service is provided by Citizen's Telecom.
LODGING
For our overnight guests, lodging is available at the following:
Central WV Outfitters
Cabins, Gudie Service, Hunting, FIshing, Canoeing and More
Hartland WV
Toll Free 1-866-678-4259
or email centralwvoutfitters@hotmail.com
HISTORIC HENRY CLAY HOTEL & RESTAURANT
141 Main Street
Clay, WV
1 304-587-4028
FUEL STOP 79, Big Otter Exit 40. I-79
Ivydale, WV
1 -304-286-3911
BESSIE BRALEY"S CAMPGROUND
Ivydale, WV
1 304- 286-2904