Clayton History Society, Clayton MO - Enriching our community, honoring our past

'From New Madrid to Claverach', written by James W. Sherby
Author: James W. Sherby

The book chronicles the Clayton neighborhood's rise from farmland to an exciting urban environment and how it is connected to the earthquakes of 1811 - 1812 in New Madrid, Missouri.

Buy at World News
4 S. Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105

Or purchase online at
www.stl-books.com/
Video regarding book's subject
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TODAY IN HISTORY

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NEIGHBORHOOD WALKING TOURS This project is under construction. Stay tuned!
"The mission of the Clayton History Society is to preserve, protect, and promote Clayton's unique history so that people may appreciate its past, present and future. The Society is committed to identifying and collecting artifacts and documents for display, publishing written and oral accounts, and conducting diverse educational programs for all ages."

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Clayton Depot - Rock Island Rail Line (1907)
Clayton Depot - Rock Island Rail Line (circa 1907)
The Clayton Railroad Depot was located between S. Meramec and S. Central near the current Forest Park Expressway. The depot was removed in 1939, but the track for taking coal down to Washington University was in place until the early 1960's when Millbrook was built.   Source: Missouri Depots website

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2012 CCF History Lecture Series

The Clayton Century Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports History, Arts, Parks & Sustainability in the city of Clayton, announces its 2012 CCF-History Lecture Series:

All lectures are open to the public and free of charge.

Mark your calendars for the following lecture dates:

January 18, 2012. 7:00 PM. at the Center of Clayton - Streetcars of Clayton and the Surrounding Area, Part 2, presented by Mark Goldfeder.

March 21, 2012. 7:00 PM. at the Center of Clayton - Clayton Chief of Police Department, Thomas J. Byrne — Some observations from the Chief’s point of view after many years at the helm.

May 16, 2012. 7:00 PM. at Artists' Guild, #2 Oak Knoll Drive - Bill McClellan of the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Bill McClellan Explains Life as a Columnist and Other Side Stories. The lecture will be followed by a wine reception featuring the wine of Edg-Clif Farms & Vineyards.

July 18, 2012. 7:00 PM. at the Center of Clayton - Clayton Chief of Fire Department, Mark Thorp

September 19, 2012. 7:00 PM. at the Center of Clayton - Donna Rogers-Beard, retired history and social studies teacher, Clayton High School

November 15, 2012. 7:00 PM. at the Center of Clayton - Esley Hamilton, St. Louis County Historian, St. Louis County Department of Parks and Recreation



Clayton History Exhibit

The Clayton History Society's first exhibit of artifacts and photographs were exhibited at Clayton's Mid-County Library recently. There is another exhibit planned for this location during the month of November 2012.


Article in Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch 3/9/12




Shaw Park Ice Rink Marks 50 Years

Permission was granted to publish the following West End article written by Mitch Schneider:
Shaw Park Ice Rink Marks 50 Years





Please Help Us Conduct Clayton Interviews

Has your family lived in Clayton for more than one generation? Do you have a friend or neighbor who has been in Clayton for many years? Everyone has interesting stories to tell. We are trying to capture these stories and memories about daily life as a permanent record of our community.

Please consider taking some time to visit with someone you know. The Clayton Century Foundation - History would like to use excerpts of these interviews on the History website and in a Centennial publication. All proper credits will be noted.

Also, if someone has memorabilia...old photos and records...we would like to scan these and will return to you.

The best approach to an oral history interview is to ask open-ended questions and to focus on people's memories and experiences. Consider these questions as a springboard for planning your interview:

Name and a bit about the Family Tree:

First Clayton address and current contact information:

1. What's your first memory about living in Clayton?

2. When did you or your parents move to Clayton and what brought them here?

3. Tell me about your childhood home, neighborhood, school and friends.

4. Where do you remember going to shop - to play - to worship - or hang out/enjoy entertainment?

5. What special traditions do you remember in Clayton?

6. Were there any special teachers, merchants, community leaders, or even neighbors that you remember in a special way? What stories can you share about them?

7. Tell me about some of your friends and what you did around Clayton.

8. Describe your first job - was it in or around Clayton? What did you do with your first paycheck?

9. What can you remember about any local heroes? (School related, War service, community service)

10. Do you have any specific memories during wartime - World War I and II, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War?

11. What were your favorite songs, books, movies and television shows? Do you have memories of Depot dances or other places in Clayton? Any encounters with local and famous artists?

12. What are some of the happiest times you've had in Clayton?

13. What haven't we talked about that you'd like to discuss in the time we have left? Are there any other Clayton memories you have to share?

Submit your written interview to the Clayton History Society. Email us at claytonhistorysociety@gmail.com or call our voicemail at (314) 467-0712 to arrange delivery options. Thank you for your help!

Interview questions (Download to print)



Tour Historic Hanley House!

Historic Hanley House

Information
The mid-19th century farmstead is located just blocks from the busy Central Business District at 7600 Westmoreland Ave, Clayton MO 63105. To schedule a group tour for students or scouts, contact Sarah Umlauf at 314-226-9893 or email at sumlauf@ci.clayton.mo.us.

Admission Fees
Admission to the museum is $5 for adults. Children 6 - 12 are $2 each and kids 5 and under are Free. Special group tours for children are available. Cost: $2 per child. $5 per child includes a Hanley House Coloring Book for each child. Click here to learn more about group tours for students and scouts.

Hours of Operation
April through October
Saturday & Sunday
12:00 noon to 4:00 pm.
Monday – Friday
By Appointment Only

November through March
By Appointment Only

Holiday Closures
The Hanley House will be closed Memorial Day Weekend, 4th of July Weekend and Labor Day Weekend.

Volunteer Opportunities
The Hanley House needs you! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Sarah Umlauf at 314-226-9893 or sumlauf@ci.clayton.mo.us.

The Hanley House is located at 7600 Westmoreland in Clayton.

Hanley House Newsletter Archive
Hanley House website
Hanley House Map



Are you a sleuth...a wannabe historian?

sleuth The Clayton History Society seeks interested individuals to assist with a variety of projects, from research about institutions and neighborhoods to collection of community stories from citizens. The group wants to know about people, buildings, churches, schools, businesses, parks, and historic residences. It also aims to discover and copy for permanent records a multitude of historic Clayton documents, maps, diaries, and photographs. Get involved and make a difference in preserving Clayton's history for future generations.

If you own a piece of Clayton history that you would like to donate to the Society, please contact Sarah Umlauf at (314) 226-9893, or leave voicemail at (314) 467-0712, or send email to claytonhistorysociety@gmail.com for more information or to inquire about volunteer opportunities.

volunteer




Clayton Oral History Project

Call for Participants

Oasis - St. Louis The city of Clayton is partnering with OASIS to encourage residents and business owners to recount their experiences in Clayton. A trained OASIS volunteer (retired media professional) will work with and interview everyone who wishes to record their stories and memories. It's an important legacy for informing and educating others. Taping will take place in a comfortable setting at Clayton on the Park. Participants will have a copy of their Oral History, and a second copy will be provided for the Clayton History Society's collection. Excerpts may be selected for our website and a future History of Clayton book. The cost for both tapes is $50.

Call OASIS at 314-367-5700 to schedule a taping time. Please join us, as we capture and celebrate the details of daily life in our community.


Tell Us Your Clayton Story! Printable Form