Clay in Jefferson County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

The Clay Community

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, November 11, 2010

1. The Clay Community Marker

Inscription. The clay soil of the area, first cultivated by Creek Indians, gave this agricultural community it name in 1878 when a post office was established. Clay’s historical roots date to the early 1800s through two small communities, Ayres and Self’s Beat, documented by the founding of Mount Calvary Presbyterian Church around 1806 and Cedar Mountain Church (now Clay United Methodist Church) in 1819. In early years, the community was a stagecoach stop along the route from Elyton (now part of Birmingham) to Gadsden.

Lying in the Appalachian foothills, Clay is cherished for its environmental beauty, history, and landmarks. It is uniquely positioned in three watershed basins: the Black Warrior, Cahaba and Coosa. The Cahaba, Alabama’s longest free-flowing river, originates from springs just northeast of Clay. Clay is home to Butler Mountain, Jefferson County’s highest elevation. Incorporated in June 2000, Clay now includes Chalkville and its rich heritage, including Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church established in 1819.

Erected 2010 by Alabama Tourism Department and the City of Clay.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Tourism Department series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 2000.

Location.

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33° 42.022′ N, 86° 36.204′ W. Marker is in Clay, Alabama, in Jefferson County. It is on Springville Road (County Road 30) north of Deerfoot Parkway, on the right when traveling north. Marker located in front of the Clay City Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6757 Old Springville Road, Clay AL 35048, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Birmingham Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

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 the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Clay Methodist Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wear Cemetery (approx. 1.2 miles away); Mount Calvary Cemetery (approx. 3.2 miles away); Pioneer Massey Cemetery (approx. 3.7 miles away); The Cahaba Heart River of Alabama (approx. 4.3 miles away); Pinson, Alabama (approx. 4.6 miles away); Jefferson Warriors (approx. 4.6 miles away); 1936 Rock Bridge (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clay.

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, November 11, 2010

2. The Clay Community Marker

The Clay Community Marker Looking South image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, November 11, 2010

3. The Clay Community Marker Looking South

Clay City Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, November 11, 2010

4. Clay City Hall

Clay United Methodist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, November 11, 2010

5. Clay United Methodist Church

Mount Calvary Presbyterian Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, November 28, 2009

6. Mount Calvary Presbyterian Church

Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, November 11, 2010

7. Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church

Clay Public Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, November 11, 2010

8. Clay Public Library

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,424 times since then and 28 times this year. Last updated on May 29, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on November 11, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.