About

Imagine a road a little less traveled. A place a little more relaxed. Not far away, but far enough to put miles between you and the hectic pace of life. Where “welcome” is a well used word, and people really mean it when they say, “stay awhile”.  There is at least one place like that.  It’s the heart of east central Alabama.  It’s Clay County, Alabama.

In Clay County, Alabama, one tranquil minute glides peacefully into the next. In fact, we consider relaxation one of our specialties. It only makes sense with some of the state’s most inspiring natural beauty in our front yard. Lakes so unspoiled that you can see to the bottom, majestic mountain terrain, trees that stand tall through generations of growth.

All this and more is common in Clay County. But Clay County is not a common place. Living here tends to put people at peace. And it shows! An afternoon here will provide warm welcomes and new friends. It’s the kind of place everyone should visit at least once. It’s also the kind of place many people would like to call home. You might even be one of them.

The seasons are kind in Clay County. We’re located in the heart of the South and the heart of east central Alabama. And that means climate is great year round. Temperatures reach 70’s in the spring and fall, climb into the 90’s in the summer and rarely dip below freezing in the winter. Add to that a healthy amount of rainfall, and you’ve got weather to write home about!

Clay County, Alabama is close. Close to homespun hospitality and gurgling mountain streams. But it’s close to the mainstream too. Atlanta, Birmingham, and Montgomery are all located within 100 miles of Clay County. So if it’s the glow of the city you’re after, don’t worry. You can get there from here.

Clay County was created on December 7, 1886, formed from territory taken from Talladega and Randolph counties, land held previously by the Creek Nation and earlier Native Americans. Clay County is named for Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky. The town of Lineville, so named because it was on the line between Talladega and Randolph counties, became the temporary place for holding court until a county seat was decided upon. Ashland was selected as the county seat and construction of the courthouse began in 1867. The first courthouse was destroyed by fire and a second one was built of brick in 1878.

Later in 1906 the county commissioners decided to replace it with a larger building which is the present courthouse. The cost of the new courthouse was $37,960. The Courthouse recently celebrated its 100th anniversary with a big Block Party. The clock on the Courthouse was built in 1907 by Seth Thomas. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the courthouse is home to a gallery of paintings by local artist Judy Jordan, A WWI arms display, and the Hugo Black Museum. Hugo Black was a native of Ashland and went on to become a U.S. Senator and Supreme Court Justice. Ashland has the highest elevation of any county seat in Alabama at 1153 feet above sea level.