Clayton, Texas facts for kids
Clayton is a small, unincorporated community located in Panola County, Texas, in the United States. An unincorporated community means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. In the year 2000, about 79 people lived in Clayton.
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Where is Clayton?
Clayton is found in the southwestern part of Panola County. It's about 16 miles southwest of a larger town called Carthage. You can find Clayton where two important roads meet: State Highway 315 and FM 1970. 32°05′54″N 94°28′30″W / 32.09833°N 94.47500°W
A Look at Clayton's History
Clayton was first settled around 1845. A man named Jacob Cariker, who came from Georgia, built a house nearby. Over time, more people moved to this area.
How Clayton Got Its Name
By the 1870s, many people from an older settlement called Reed's Settlement had moved to Cariker's area. In 1874, a post office was opened here. The community was named Clayton, possibly after Clayton, Alabama, where some of the first settlers came from.
Population Changes Over Time
Clayton's population has changed quite a bit through the years.
- In 1885, about 130 people lived in Clayton.
- By 1914, the number grew to 200 residents.
- During a tough economic time known as the Great Depression, the population went down to 175.
- It continued to decrease, and by the late 1960s, there were about 125 people.
- In 2000, the population was 79, and the community had two businesses.
Today, Clayton still has its own post office with the ZIP code 75637.
Famous Person from Near Clayton
A very important person was born near Clayton in 1875: Margie Neal. She made history by becoming the first woman ever elected to the Texas State Senate. The State Senate is a group of lawmakers who help create rules and laws for the state of Texas.
Learning in Clayton
Kids who live in Clayton today go to public schools managed by the Carthage Independent School District.
Clayton's Old School District
Clayton used to have its own public school district. It was called Clayton School District #11 and was officially created in May 1905. It was organized in February 1907. However, in 1965, Clayton's school district joined with the Carthage school district.
