Clay County is named for Henry Clay, who was Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Monroe County, Kentucky, Cumberland County, Kentucky and Clinton County, Kentucky
E – Pickett County and Overton County
S – Overton County and Jackson County
W – Macon County
Created: June 24, 1870 
County Seat:
Butler’s Landing 1870 – 1871
Celina 1871 – present
Old County Courthouse – Celina
Location: 139 East Lake Avenue / Main Street
Built: 1872 – 1873
Style: Federal
Architect: D L Dow of Cookeville.
Contractor: D L Dow of Cookeville.
Description: The building faces south and is a two story red colored brick structure. The building is located on the landscaped grounds of the Courthouse Square in the center of Celina. The south front has a central arched entrance with large arched window on the second story. On the center of the roof is a square white colored wood cupola with steep roof. The building has a concrete foundation and the roof is hipped. In the interior, wooden stairs ascend to the courtroom located on the second story which has a balconcy on the south side,
See: National Register of Historic Places – Clay County Courthouse
County Courthouse – Celina
Location: 143 Cordell Hull Drive
Built: 1972 – 1973
Style: Modern
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces southeast and is a one story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Celina to the northwest of the courthouse. The building is a senior citizens residence with the county offices and courtroom on the southwest side of the building. The roof line is flat. The building houses the County Circuit Court, County Chancery Court, County Criminal Court, County General Sessions Court and County Juvenile Court of the 13th Judicial District.
See: The 13th Judicial District includes Cumberland County, DeKalb County, Overton County, Pickett County, Putnam County and White County.
History: The county was created in 1870 and Butler’s Landing was selected as the county seat. The first court met in Butler’s Landing. In 1872, the county seat was moved to Celina. The first courthouse was built in 1872 to 1874 at a cost of $9,999. During the construction of the courthouse, David Buchanan, F M Buchanan and W C Garrett were the carpenters who assisted D L Dow. The second and present courthouse is the seniors residence constructed in 1972 to 1973.
Old County Courthouse – Celina
County Courthouse – Celina
Photos taken 2014 and 2018