Clay County is named for Henry Clay, who was an American statesman, United States Senator and Congressman from Kentucky 1806-1852, U.S. Secretary of State 1825-1829, three times Speaker of the House and three times candidate for president.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Braxton County
E – Nicholas County
S – Fayette County and Kanawha County
W – Kanawha County, Roane County and Calhoun County
Created: March 29, 1858 
County Seat:
Marshall 1858 – 1863
Henry 1863 – 1927
Clay 1927 – present
Old County Courthouse – Clay
Location: 225 Main Street / Locust Street
Built: 1902 – 1903
Style: Beaux Arts
Architect: Frank L Packard
Contractor: L C Tyree
Description: The building faces south and is a two story yellow colored brick and stone structure. The square shapped building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Clay and sits on a hill overlooking Main Street. The south front has a projecting center section with central entrance flanked by two columns on either side and with a small peaked roof above. On the second story are arched windows. On the center of the roof is a white colored open cupola with white colored dome. The roof is hipped. The base of the building is rock-face limestone. In the interior, the courtroom has three fireplaces. The building houses the County Magistrate Court. During construction, the superintendent was J W Garcelon.
See: National Register of Historic Places – Old Clay County Courthouse
County Courthouse – Clay
Location: 246 Main Street / Locust Street
Built: 1977 – 1978
Style: Modern
Architect: R L Wilson – Jerry Goff, Associated Architects
Contractor: Carl E Stephens Construction Company
Description: The building faces north and is a one story light orange colored brick , concrete and glass structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Clay. The north front has a large porch with wide arches and recessed glass entrance. There are no windows on the east, south or west sides. The roof line is flat. The building houses the County Circuit Court of the 14th Judicial Circuit and Family Court.
See: The 14th Judicial District includes Braxton County, Gilmer County and Webster County.
History: The county was created in 1858 and Marshall was selected as the county seat. The court first met at the home of B W Byrne and at different places in the county. The name of the county seat was changed to Henry in 1863. The first courthouse was a large structure built in 1865. The second courthouse was constructed in 1902 to 1903 and is still standing. The County name was finally changed to Clay in 1927. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1977 to 1978.
Old County Courthouse - Clay
County Courthouse – Clay
Photos taken 2012