Clay County is named for Henry Clay, who was an American statesman, U.S. Senator and Congressman from Kentucky 1806-1852, U.S. Secretary of State 1825-1829, three times Speaker of the House and three times candidate for president.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Hamilton County
E – Fillmore County
S – Nuckolls County
W – Adams County
Created: March 7, 1855
County Seat:
Clay Center 1856 – present
County Courthouse – Clay Center
Location: 111 West Fairfield Street / South Alexander Avenue
Built: 1918 – 1919
Style: Classical Revival
Architect: William F Gernandt of Omaha
Contractor: Olson – Magee Company.
Description: The building faces north and is a two story buff colored brick, stone and concrete structure. The rectangular shaped building is located on the landscaped grounds of the Courthouse Square on the south side of the center of Clay Center. The north front of the building has a projecting ornate north pavilion at the center with two columns rising from the second to third story on either side of the recessed center. There is a column on either side of the balcony on the third story and above is a wide header with crest. Elaborate terra cotta trim, and the cream-colored terra cotta contrasts well with the grey-tan brick. There are a rounded tympanum over the door with fine foliated detail, an attractive dark grey polished stone door surround, and large transoms over original double doors. Original metal lamp posts have four small globes around a large one and rest on brick and stone pedestals at the entry steps. A projecting horizontal cornice runs below the second story and another runs below the flat roof line. The steps on the north side lead up to the entry foyer. From the foyer are narrow steps down to the basement and steep steps up to the second story corridor. The roof line is flat. The interior has costly interior features which include mosaic tile in geometric patterns of tan, blue, black, and grey on a white colored ground, dark grey mopboards and trim, and marble stairs, wainscoting, and door surrounds. At the east end is the staircase leading up to the third story and the combined County District Court and County Court courtroom. The public enters the courtroom at its back. The courtroom contains bold dark woodwork and heavy beams crisscross the ceiling ending in distinctive pairs of brackets. The brackets have gutta and are united by a finely detailed swag. Other features include paneled wood wainscoting, the judge’s bench, the bar, and heavy flat lintels with dentils and long consoles at the six doors. Four exceptional wall lights of metal and glass are placed behind the judge’s bench. Leather covered double doors provide access to the courtroom. On the southeast side of the courthouse is the two story brick Old Sheriff Residence built in 1922.
See: The architect, William F Gernandt of Omaha, designed courthouses in Dawson County, Merrick County, Pawnee County, Phelps County, Polk County, Richardson County, Sarpy County, Valley County and Webster County.
See: National Register of Historic Places – Clay County Courthouse
See: The 10th Judicial District includes Adams County, Franklin County, Harlan County, Kearney County, Nuckolls County, Phelps County and Webster County.
History: The county was created in 1855 and Sutton was selected as the county seat in 1871 when the county was organized. The first county meeting was held at the home of Alexander Campbell. In 1879. The county seat was moved to Clay Center. The first courthouse was a two story frame structure built by W D Young in 1887 to 1888. The building was demolished when the second and present courthouse was constructed in 1917 to 1918 at a cost of $81,585.
County Courthouse – Clay Center
County District Court and County Court courtroom
Old Sheriff Residence – Clay Center
Photos taken 2010 and 2023
Images 28*