| Clay
County was formed on March 24, 1873, from parts of Randolph and
Greene counties. It was named for Senator James M. Clayton. After
moving the county seat several times, officials finally settled on
two county seats, as flooding on the Black and Cache Rivers often
made passage impossible from one side of the county to the other.
Clay County is unique in that it is surrounded on two sides by
Missouri and two sides by Arkansas.
It has two courthouses that are almost identical in appearance.
The courthouse in Corning is in a residential area whereas the
courthouse in Piggott is located in the center of town. The Black
River divides the county. For many years, the only way to get from
one of its courthouses to the other in the spring term of court,
which normally occurred while the river was at flood stage, was to
ride the railroad to Poplar Bluff, Missouri, spend the night, and
catch the morning train to the other county seat, arriving late the
second day.
The major economy comes from general farming and raising
livestock. Rice is the major crop, followed by cotton, soybeans,
corn, hay, and milo. Light industry is scattered around. Two rivers,
the Cashe and the Black River offer many recreational sports such as
duck hunting and fishing, horseback riding along the trails, hiking
and picnicking. |
