Clay County, Alabama

Clay County is a county of the US state of Alabama.   As of 2020 the population was 14,236.  Its county seat is Ashland. It is a prohibition or dry county, which means alcoholic drinks cannot be sold, except in the cities of Ashland and Lineville.

History
Clay County was formed on December 7, 1866 from land taken from Randolph and Talladega County. Its name is in honor of Henry Clay, famous American statesman, member of the United States Senate from Kentucky and United States Secretary of State.  Clay County is one of only three counties in Alabama to have no U.S. Highways in its boundaries.

During the Desert Shield/Storm conflict, Clay County had more soldiers serving per capita than any other county in the United States.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which  is land and  (0.3%) is water.

Major highways
20px State Route 9
20px State Route 48
20px State Route 49
20px State Route 77

Rail
CSX Transportation
Norfolk Southern Railway

Border counties
Cleburne County, Alabama – north
Randolph County, Alabama – east
Tallapoosa County, Alabama – south
Coosa County, Alabama – southwest
Talladega County, Alabama – west

National protected area
Talladega National Forest (part)

Cities and towns
Ashland
Lineville

Notable natives
Hugo Black (1886–1971), born in Harlan, served as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1937 until 1971
LaFayette L. Patterson (1888–1987), born near Delta, served three terms in the U.S. Congress from 1928 to 1933
Byron Lavoy Cockrell (1935–2007), born in Lineville, rocket scientist and engineer
Bob Riley (b. 1944), Alabama's 52nd governor, native of Ashland

Places of interest
Clay County is home to parts of Cheaha State Park in the Talladega National Forest and Lake Wedowee on the eastern boundary. The Pinhoti Trail system  weaves its way through the Talladega National Forest to Mt. Cheaha, the highest point in Alabama. Hikers along the trail may see some of the local wildlife, including whitetail deer, wild turkey, and the rare bald eagle.

References

Category:Alabama counties
Category:1866 establishments in Alabama