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Saturday, February 10, 2007 | Current Weather: 46° F, High: 38° F, Low: 17° F, Humidity: 34%, Mostly Sunny |
HOME / History |
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The site of Clayton has been a
crossroads ever since time began. About 100 million years ago it was a dinosaur
track way on the edge of an ancient sea, and dinosaur tracks and bones are found
throughout the area. The most impressive collection of tracks is at Clayton Lake
State Park, where over 500 tracks have been documented. This area is open to the
public with an interpretive center and a boardwalk around the site.
Native Americans began coming through the area at least 10,000 years ago. Many
traces of their passing have been found including various types of pottery, spear
points, and even human remains buried in caves. The area was rife with buffalo,
deer, and antelope, which made it a prime hunting ground.
The Spanish were the first white men to pass through the area and it is believed
that Coronado may have returned from his search for the Seven Cities of Gold following
Indian and game trails that led past Rabbit Ears Mountain.
The twin peaks of Rabbit Ears Mountain have always been an important landmark
to travelers and were particularly noted by Santa Fe Trail caravans which passed
through the area from 1821 through the 1870’s. The name Rabbit Ears was given
to the volcanic outcroppings in honor of the Indian Chief Orejas de Conejo who
was killed in battle with Spanish colonists in the early 1700’s.
The Spanish, who populated the Rio Grande Valley, came to the area to hunt buffalo
and other game every autumn and gradually sheepherders came this way looking for
suitable forage for their flocks. After sheep camps were established, ranches
began to appear, each isolated from its neighbors, and many days travel from any
established towns or trade centers.
In the late 1880’s talk of a railroad was heard and Stephen W. Dorsey, who
had built a mansion at Mountain Spring about 60 miles west of Clayton, acquired
access to the site where Clayton was eventually situated. A town site was laid
out, named after Dorsey’s son Clayton, the railroad came right through the
town, and the community began growing in leaps and bounds.
Clayton immediately became a shipping point for cattle and soon big herds were
being trailed up from the southern part of the New Mexico territory. The area
drew cattle and sheep ranchers and later, farmers. To this day the focus is on
ranching and farming.
One of the early visitors to the area was Tom "Black Jack" Ketchum who
first came to Clayton as a cowboy with the trail herds. He and his brother Sam
later became outlaws and three times robbed the train near Folsom, west of Clayton.
Tom was hung in Clayton in 1901 and is buried in the Clayton cemetery.
Morris Herzstein settled in Clayton in the 1890’s and became a prominent
merchant and rancher. His son Albert remembers a happy childhood in Clayton and
contributed over a quarter of a million dollars to the Herzstein Memorial Museum
making it one of the finest small museums to be found anywhere.
Other attractions in Clayton include: the historic old Eklund Hotel which now
serves delicious food and libations; an excellent library featuring a large collection
of western literature; many green spaces for picnicking and relaxing; the Shrine
of the Testaments, an art gallery of Biblical history; and a more modern art gallery
at the Pottery Shop. The Kiowa National Grassland northeast of town encourages
a stroll along the Santa Fe Trail and enjoyment of the area’s flora and fauna.
In addition to dinosaur tracks, Clayton Lake State Park has excellent fishing,
with picnic and camping facilities. Capulin Volcano National Monument has an informative
visitor’s center and a view of five states from the top of the volcano.
Clayton has a number of shops featuring arts, crafts, collectibles, souvenirs
and other interesting merchandise. For the traveler there are nine restaurants,
six motels, several convenience stores, and a full service campground. |
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