COMMUNITY & CULTURE
MEET ME IN…
Clayton
B y T r i s h M u y c o - To b i n
P h o t o s b y A n n e Wa r f i e l d P h o t o g r a p h y
F
armers Ralph Clayton and Martin Hanley are to thank for
bequeathing a combined 104 acres of land to establish the
St. Louis County seat, better known as the city of Clayton.
Both native Virginians, Clayton and Hanley settled in
the area in the 1830s. When the city of St. Louis split from
the county in 1876, the county was forced to find a new location for its
courts. Clayton offered up the majority of the land to be used, and he only
required that the area around the new county seat be named after him.
Hanley contributed a smaller acreage to the east of Clayton’s land, and the
combined expanse extends across Clayton’s Central Business District.
Adopted as the new county seat in 1877, Clayton was formally
incorporated in 1913. The city began to experience steady growth soon
after, and by the 1920s, it had become the preferred neighborhood for a
few elite St. Louisans who wanted to get away from the city. Inevitably,
Clayton’s population rose, as well as the value of its real estate.
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GAZELLE STL
Clayton’s identity as the hub of St. Louis’ metropolitan area became
established by mid-century, following an expansion of its commercial
district. More buildings were built, allowing more businesses to develop
within its boundaries.
Today, the city of Clayton stands proud as an ideal St. Louis
community, with highly desirable residential hamlets, walkable streets
and a bustling downtown district where some of the area’s top dining
destinations and crowd-pleasing gatherings and public spaces - like
Shaw Park - can be found.
Speaking of public spaces, much of Clayton’s downtown area transforms
into one big gathering spot for the Saint Louis Art Fair. This month, the
fair - touted as one of the best in the nation - will be held from Sept. 8 to 10.
In addition to showcasing some of the best handcrafted art in St. Louis and
across the country, live entertainment on three stages, a children’s area, and
food booths from local establishments will be available.