The History of Clayton
There were many reasons for the founding of the town of Clayton. Prior to 1885, the portion of New Mexico occupied by the present town was a vast open range. Roundup wagons rumbled over it in spring and summer. Cowboys made arduous journeys of 125 miles from the Cimarron Seco (Dry) to the
Canadian River. Ranches were scattered along these streams. The early settlers in northeastern New Mexico bought their grain and other supplies in Trinidad, Colorado. They were compelled to send wagons over rough roads by way of the Upper Cimarron and Trinchera Pass. The wool clips, important
money resources, were hauled to Trinidad for shipment to the East.
In 1880, New Mexico had only one railroad, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, extending from Trinidad, Colorado, to Lamy Junction near Santa Fe. The Denver & New Orleans Railroad Company was incorporated in 1884. It was proposed to construct a railroad from Denver, Colorado to Fort Worth, Texas, and to the Gulf of Mexico. One hundred and twenty miles of track were laid from Denver to Pueblo, Colorado. There, a joint trackage was arranged with the Denver & Rio Grande which enabled the trains of the Denver & New Orleans to run to Trinidad.
With the completion of the railway, northern Texas, northeastern New Mexico and southern Colorado territory, which was largely controlled by American and European livestock companies, had much needed railroad facilities and access to supplies. Another reason for choosing Clayton’s site was its
convenience as a shipping point for the southern part of the Territory and a general supply point for the Texas Panhandle.
The Eklund Hotel, a handsome edifice, had a stone front, water was hauled in a huge tank from Apache Spring and sold by the barrel. John Hill built a commodious adobe brick house on Court Street and covered it with weatherboarding. It surpassed anything then built for beauty and comfort.
General Dodge made good his intention that Clayton should be a division point. Plans for the erection of a roundhouse were made and turntables for the engines of the Fort Worth division were brought to town and unloaded. A controversy arose between Homer Byler and the railroad company of the compensation he should receive for the water from Apache Spring. John Hill tried to settle the disagreement as the company wanted an immediate contract with Byler. This unsettled controversy resulted in the company shipping the turntables and other equipment to Texline, ten miles south of Clayton, where the division point was established.
The first school building was erected where the Methodist Church now stands (1962). It was a large building which served as a court room and for conventions and public gatherings until the brick schoolhouse on First Street was built.
Mrs. John Hill was called upon to officiate at Clayton’s first funeral.
Clayton’s first brass band was organized in 1893 by Prof. George W. Guyer. A program was given once a week from a rudely constructed bandstand on Main Street There were some good musicians living in the town and the concerts were well patronized and vigorously applauded.
In 1890, saloons and gambling were licensed in the Territory. Clayton boasted of two of the cleverest gamblers in the entire West, Tom Solomon and Herman Love. They were perfect gentlemen and were never accused of cheating. Indulgence in alcoholic drinks was prevalent, sometimes to the physical and financial detriment of the imbibers.
During the first days of the Friendly Town, it was the custom to seal every pledge, bind every transfer, marriage, death, political argument, or anything of importance with adjournment to the saloon. Everyone was expected to join in this ceremony, ladies excepted. At that time no self-respecting
woman drank anything stronger than water.
George W. Guyer came to Clayton in 1893 as the first principal of Clayton Schools. He established the Clayton News in 1894.
The Fourth of July parade staged in 1906, with colorful floats made by various organizations, indicates how progressive Clayton’s residents were.
This is just a little history of the town of Clayton, New Mexico.
The entire book, History of Clayton and Union County, New Mexico, can be found at the Herzstein Museum.
