North Clayton in St. Louis County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Hanley-Clayton Donation Helps Establish the St. Louis County Seat

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 29, 2019

1. Hanley-Clayton Donation Helps Establish the St. Louis County Seat Marker

Inscription. Martin F. Hanley sought to establish the County Seat at the resort property at Mount Olive near where Olive Boulevard and Hanley Road intersect today. Hanley's former neighbor, Mr. Ecker, operated the resort. Hanley and Ecker offered to donate 100 acres of land, 60 acres and 40 acres respectfully, to entice the commission to choose the Mount Olive property as the permanent County Seat. Although this was a tempting offer, the commission ultimately chose another deal of which, Hanley also played a part.

Martin F. Hanley joined his friend and neighbor, Ralph Clayton, and donated 104 acres of land to the new County Seat. Of the 104 acre donation, only 4 acres where from Hanley which is why Ralph Clayton earned the right to name the new community. However, the first auction of land in the new county took place on Hanley's farm and perhaps it was the newly established road built by Hanley and bearing his name that made the Clayton-Hanley donation so attractive to the commission.

(aside:)
In 1876, St. Louis City split from the County in a controversial move disputed by County residents. After the split, official set to

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work to establish a center for government. A Commission was formed to aid in locating the County Seat. Several communities submitted offers. Martin F. Hanley submitted two offers in partnership with neighbors. Ultimately, the commission chose the Hanley-Clayton donation.

Erected by the City of Clayton and Clayton Century Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 38° 39.117′ N, 90° 19.898′ W. Marker is in Clayton, Missouri, in St. Louis County. It is in North Clayton. It can be reached from Westmoreland Avenue 0.1 miles east of North Hanley Road, on the right when traveling east. Marker is on the grounds of the Hanley House, in front of the entrance fence. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7600 Westmoreland Ave, Saint Louis MO 63105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 29, 2019

2. Hanley-Clayton Donation Helps Establish the St. Louis County Seat Marker

Shown in front of the main entrance

Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Historic Hanley House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hanley Farm, Past and Present (within shouting distance of this marker); Outdoor Kitchen & Hired Man's Room (within shouting distance of this marker); City Hall (approx. 0.3 miles away); A Community Remembered (approx. 0.4 miles away); Attucks School (approx. 0.4 miles away); World War I Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Barry-Wehmiller Pavilion (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clayton.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Saint Louis County (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Historic Hanley House. From the City of Clayton's website, this is the page for the historic house. (The marker is one of four placed there.) (Submitted on February 7, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 29, 2019

3. Hanley-Clayton Donation Helps Establish the St. Louis County Seat Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 301 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 7, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.