| County Introduction |
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| Clay county was established in 1807 and named after Gen. Green Clay (1757-1826) He was a military leader in the War of 1812 and he representative of Kentucky County in the Virginia General Assembly. Additionally, he was a cousin of Henry Clay. The county seat is Manchester. |
| County Origins |
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| Clay County, Kentucky was formed from Madison County and Floyd County. It was created in 1806. |
| County Lines Redrawn |
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| In 1820, a part of Clay County was used to form Perry County. |
| In 1825, a part of Clay County was used to form Laurel County. |
| In 1839, a part of Clay County was used to form Breathitt County. |
| In 1843, a part of Clay County was used to form Owsley County. |
| In 1858, a part of Clay County was used to form Jackson County. |
| In 1878, a part of Clay County was used to form Leslie County. |
Roadside Historical Markers
Roadside historical markers introduce the history of each Kentucky Highlands County. These markers provide interesting facts about many important events, people and places throughout the Highlands.
| Marker Title | Marker Location | Marker Information |
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| Goose Creek Salt Works | 21/2 mi. S. of Manchester, KY 11 | On Oct. 23, 1862, 22nd USA Brig. including lst, 2nd, and 20th Ky. Infantry moved here in wake of retreating CSA forces. 500 men worked 36 hours to destroy salt works mainly owned by unionists but used by Confederates. Loyal USA citizens allowed to remove salt enough for their own needs on taking oath none of it would be used to benefit Confederacy. |
| A Masterful Retreat | 21/2 mi. S. of Manchester, KY 11 | Gen. George W. Morgan's Union forces occupied Cumberland Gap, June 18 to Sept. 17, 1862. Cut off from supplies and surrounded, Morgan with 9,000 men withdrew. They camped here Sept. 19-21, to perfect organization for march. Made fruitless supply search. Entire retreat to Ohio River, 200 miles, made in 16 days, despite harassment by CSA Morgan's Raiders. |
| Log Cabin Pre-1800 | Near Red Bird Hospital, KY 66 | On these grounds of the Red Bird River Community Hospital of the Evangelical United Brethren Church Center is log cabin built before 1800. Erected by Dillion Asher. Born, 1774, died, 1844. Buried near log house. Asher was keeper of first toll-gate in Kentucky, near Pineville. Established by legislature, 1795; fees paid for improvements on Wilderness Road. |
| County Named, 1806 | Manchester, Courthouse lawn, Court St., US 421 | For Gen. Green Clay, 1757-1826. Born in Va. Came to Ky., 1777. In Va. Legislature, 1788-89, and Va. Convention that ratified Federal Constitution. From 1793 to 1808 in Ky. House, Senate, Const. Conv. In May, 1813, Gen. Clay with 3,000 Kentuckians, at Ft. Meigs, held back British and Indians. Cousin of Henry Clay. County formed from parts of Madison, Floyd and Knox. |
| Chief Red Bird | Big Creek Elem. School, KY 66 | Was a legendary Cherokee Indian for whom this fork of the Kentucky River is named. He and another Indian, Jack, whose name was given creek to the south, were friendly with early settlers and permitted to hunt in area. Allegedly they were killed in battle protecting their furs and the bodies thrown into river here. The ledges bear markings attributed to Red Bird. |
| Old Threshing Rock | 9 mi. S. of Manchester at Lee Hacker Memorial Park | This large rock was used by the settlers of this area for threshing of grain as early as 1800. There were indications that Indians from a nearby settlement used the rock. For many years it was used for flailing grain by farmers of the area. It was often necessary to stand guard protecting the grain from both birds and animals. |
| Old Joe Clark Ballad | Jct. KY 577 & 1350 | Mountain ballad, about 90 stanzas, sung during World War I, and later wars by soldiers from eastern Kentucky. Early version, as sung in Virginia, printed in 1918. Joe Clark, born 1839, lived here; shiftless and rough mountaineer of that day. His enemies were legion; he was murdered in 1885. In the moonshining days of 1870s, he ran government-supervised still. |
| Cedar Crag | Manchester Memorial Hospital, Marie Langdon & Memorial Dr., off KY 421 | Site of home of David Yancey Lyttle, 1822-1904. Attorney who practiced in First Ky. Judicial District. As state senator from 1867-1871, he was an active member of Standing Committee on Education. In 1871 named a member of special committee to study and revise common school laws. Leader in passage of legislation for the improvement of the school system. |
| Bert T. Combs (1911-1991) | Beech Creek Cem., near Manchester, KY 3432 | Born in Clay Co., future gov. Combs practiced law in Manchester and Prestonsburg. A captain in World War II, he helped prepare evidence against Japanese war criminals. On Ky. Court of Appeals, 1951-55. Gov. of Ky., 1959-63. Federal Court of Appeals judge, 1967-70. A senior partner in Wyatt, Tarrant, & Combs, he won ruling that led to landmark school reform legislation, 1990. |
| Oneida Baptist Institute | Oneida, 1 Mulberry St. | The land for what became Oneida Baptist Institute was donated by Martha Coldiron Hogg and S.P. Hogg in September 1899. The school was founded by James Anderson Burns, December 20, 1899, as Mamre Baptist College to meet the social, educational, and spiritual needs of Clay County children. Mamre opened on Janaury 1, 1900. Presented by Oneida Baptist Institute. |
| Nancy Catherine Gilbert Potter (1839-1926) | 311 Main St., Manchester | Nancy C. Gilbert married Robert Potter in 1865. Following his bankruptcy, she was appointed feme sole by the Clay Co. Circuit Court in 1879 in order to preserve assets. A shrewd entrepreneur, she dealt in real estate, retaining mineral rights and running a boardinghouse opposite county courthouse that catered to lawyers & businessmen. |
| Historical Items For Sale |
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