The county has an ancient history since over 10,000 years ago Native Americans were known to have occupied this area. In more recent times the Spanish passed through the area. When one of the landowners, whose home was located several miles from Clayton, heard about the coming of the railroad to the area of Clayton, he purchased land at the site and laid out a town in the late 1880’s. The railroad did indeed come through the town and it became a shipping point for cattle attracting cattleman and their big herds to the area of the city. The Kiowa National Grassland to the Northeast of Clayton is a great place to see the area’s flora and fauna. The Clayton Trout Derby held in May attracts many of the states anglers with the chance to win a boat or golf cart or some other great prize.