HR0602 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0602 LRB094 13391 HSS 48251 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The official Sesquicentennial Celebration of the Village of Clay City will take place September 9-11, 2005; the Village of Clay City was established in 1855; and

WHEREAS, Clay City, population 1,000, is located in Clay County; in 1810, John McCawley and a companion were traveling west from Vincennes, Indiana, along the old Buffalo Trace, when one of their horses died; Mr. McCawley built a cabin on the west bank of the Little Wabash River just south and east of Clay City and later built a stage coach stop and trading center on the location, which was known as McCawley's Tavern; and

WHEREAS, Clay County was created by an act of the legislature on December 23, 1824; on Tuesday, March 8, 1825, at John McCawley's place, the first county commissioners' court assembled for the new county of Clay; in 1825, Daniel May donated 20 acres of land, just over 2 miles west of McCawley's Tavern, to the county; this area had been known as Hubbardsville but was changed to Maysville; the first Clay County court house was built on the land donated by Mr. May; the spring term of court in 1841 was the last held at the old county seat; the fall term was held at the new and present county seat, Louisville; and

WHEREAS, In 1855, after the 0 & M Railroad was located about 1 mile north of Maysville, Clay City was established on the north side of the tracks; the business district soon developed to the south of the tracks where it is presently located; Maysville was made a part of the Village of Clay City in 1862; and

WHEREAS, Clay City served as a trading center for the surrounding countryside; farmers could bring their produce to town and trade it for dry goods and other things and very little money would change hands; and

WHEREAS, In 1936, oil was discovered in this area and oil related businesses continue to thrive in Clay City today; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Village of Clay City on the occasion of its Sesquicentennial Celebration on September 9-11, 2005; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Village of Clay City as an expression of our esteem and with best wishes for a successful celebration.