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Clay County InformationThe County was established in 1858 as Breckenridge County, named for John C. Breckenridge, Vice President of the United States from 1857-1861. After the Civil War started, Breckenridge joined the army of the south. Pressure by Minnesota residents resulted in the State Legislature of Minnesota passing a bill on March 6, 1862, rescinding the name of Breckenridge. The county was then renamed for Henry Clay (1777-1852). Clay was known as a statesman and orator, and called "The Great Pacificator". The city of Moorhead has been the county seat since 1872.Neighboring counties include: Norman County to the north, Becker County to the east, Otter Tail and Wilkin Counties to the south, and the North Dakota county of Cass to the west. Clay County comprises 668,118 acres or 1043 square miles. There are 11 incorporated cities in Clay County. They include: Barnesville, Comstock, Dilworth, Felton, Georgetown, Glyndon, Hawley, Hitterdal, Moorhead, Sabin, and Ulen. In 1871, a decision was made to have the Northern Pacific Railroad cross the Red River at the present site of Moorhead. The railroad bought Job Smith's land, platted a townsite, offered lots for sale, and named the town Moorhead. Moorhead was designated the county seat on June 1, 1872 and a county building was built at Fifth Street and First Avenue North. Fire destroyed the first courthouse. In 1878 a second one was built at Eighth Street and First Avenue North at a cost of $2,136. A third courthouse was built in 1882 on the eastern half of the present site at Eleventh Street and Eighth Avenue North. The cost of that building was $50,000. Cost of the present courthouse, built in 1954, was $704,000. |
Clay County, Minnesota
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