Clayton in Union County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Clayton

Population 2,968 ~ Elevation 4,969

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, April 17, 2012

1. Clayton Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Trade caravans and homesteaders traveling the Cimarron Cutoff of the Santa Fe Trail passed near here. Clayton was founded in 1887 and named for the son of cattleman and ex-Senator Stephen W. Dorsey, one of its developers. It became a major livestock shipping center for herds from the Pecos Valley and the Texas Panhandle.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Santa Fe Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 36° 26.6′ N, 103° 12.446′ W. Marker is in Clayton, New Mexico, in Union County. Marker is on U.S. 412 at milepost 81, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Clayton NM 88415, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Rabbit Ear Mountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Black Jack Ketchum (approx. 1.6 miles away); Clayton Dinosaur Trackway (approx. 1.7 miles away); a different marker also named Rabbit Ear Mountain

Photographed By Craig Doda, December 28, 2018

2. Clayton Marker

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 2 miles away); a different marker also named Clayton (approx. 2 miles away); Santa Fe Trail (approx. 2.2 miles away); The Santa Fe Trail / Who Traveled The Trail? (approx. 2.2 miles away); Santa Fe Trail - Cimarron Cutoff / Clayton (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clayton.

Clayton Marker Reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Doda, December 28, 2018

3. Clayton Marker Reverse

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, April 17, 2012

4. Clayton Marker Reverse

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, April 17, 2012

5. Clayton Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 722 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 9, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 2, 3. submitted on February 13, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 4, 5. submitted on May 9, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.