Houston Museum District in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

W. L. and Susan Clayton

Photographed by Jim Evans, March 17, 2013

1. W. L. and Susan Clayton Marker

Inscription. Mississippi native William Lockhart Clayton (1880-1966) left school early to become a court reporter. His skill attracted an executive of the American Cotton Company, and he moved first to St. Louis then to the New York office the following year. He soon became Assistant General Manager. In 1904, he organized a partnership with his sister's husband Frank E. Anderson and the latter's brother Monroe D. Anderson in forming Anderson, Clayton & Company in Oklahoma City. They were joined in 1905 by Will's brother, Benjamin. By 1916, two years after the Houston Ship Channel opened, and in the midst of World War I, the firm moved its headquarters to Houston. During the war, Clayton served on the Committee on Cotton Distribution of The War Industries Board, then returned to the firm, which greatly expanded into international markets. Before World War II, he returned to government service, later becoming Under-Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (1945-47) under George C. Marshall. He is widely recognized as a principal architect of the post World War II Marshall Plan.

Susan Vaughan (1881-1960), born in Kentucky, wed Will Clayton in 1902. She worked with noted architect Birdsall P. Briscoe on their home at this site, later advising him on other family homes in the River Oaks subdivision. Noted for her architectural taste, Sue was also known for philanthropic work, raising funds for the Fine Arts Museum, supporting women's suffrage and helping build low-income housing. The Claytons bequeathed their nearby home to Houston's public library; it is now the site of one of the country's foremost centers for genealogical research. The Claytons' legacy continues to enhance Houston culture and resources, and their descendants still support programs and institutions the couple began.

Erected 2004 by Texas Historical

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Commission. (Marker Number 14912.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 29° 43.542′ N, 95° 23.191′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in the Houston Museum District. It can be reached from Caroline Street north of Calumet Street, on the right when traveling south. Located in front of the Clayton House Library building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5300 Caroline Street, Houston TX 77004, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Clayton House (within shouting distance of this

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, October 6, 2019

2. W. L. and Susan Clayton Marker

marker); Maurice Joseph Sullivan (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Paul's United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Presbyterian Church of Houston (approx. 0.2 miles away); Southend Water Pumping Station (approx. ¼ mile away); The Garden Club of Houston (approx. ¼ mile away); Holland Lodge No. 1 (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Playhouse Theatre (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.

Also see . . . Clayton, William Lockhart - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on November 4, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.)

A Clayton Library Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jim Evans, March 17, 2013

3. A Clayton Library Building

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2013, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,171 times since then and 65 times this year. Last updated on November 4, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on March 20, 2013, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. 2. submitted on October 18, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on March 20, 2013, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.