Clay County | US Courthouses

Clay County is named for Henry Clay Jr., who was a Colonel who died in action in the Mexican-American War and who was the son of Henry Clay, a famous American.

Created: January 18, 1851

County Seat:

Peterson 1851 – 1871

Spencer 1871 – present

County Courthouse – Spencer

Location: 215 West 4th Street / 2nd Avenue West

Built: 1900 – 1901

Style: Classical Revival

Architect: Kinney & Detweiler of Minneapolis, Minnesota

Contractor: E Miller

Description: The building faces south and is a two story Portage Entry Red Stone and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of the city. The front has a large portico supported by four large columns rising to a pediment at the roof with an American Eagle with outstretched wings surrounded by a laurel wreath. A dark red stone forms the base of the building. On the center of the roof is a large bronze dome. The clock tower was added in 1910. The building was renovated in 1981 to 1982. The architect was Fritzel-Kroeger-Griffin & Berg and the contractor was Spencer Construction Company Inc.

Note: The first courthouse was built in Peterson at a cost of $6,900 in 1851. The second courthouse was built in Spencer in 1871 at a cost of $1,333. And soon the third courthouse was built at a cost of $4,435. The present and fourth courthouse was constructed at a cost of $60,000.

County Administration – Spencer