Lifestyle

Clayton prides itself in being a family-friendly town, with the amenities a growing family needs and all the charm of a small historic Southern town. Walking down the sidewalks on Main Street, it’s easy to see the revitalization that has taken place and continues today. The street is full of restaurants, businesses and merchants that actively help the preservation, character and history of the downtown area. Jones Cafe, which opened in 1958 on Main Street, stays packed from breakfast through lunch. Locals swear by the hot dogs and burgers. The former Clayton High School now serves as the site for the Town Hall and the Clayton Center, which seats 600 for concerts and a variety of performing arts. Deep River Brewing Company took over the former textile manufacturing warehouse on West Main Street and now offers 12 brews.

When it’s time to get outdoors in Clayton, there are countless things to see and do. The town has several golf courses for you to tee it up. The five parks throughout town offer outdoor trails, playgrounds, ball fields and courts, and shelters to enjoy. Grab your bike and head to the greenway for an adventure or lace up the walking shoes for a beautiful walk along the trail. Even your four-legged buddy has a new dog park of almost three acres for endless free-play. But if you have baseball on the brain, Five County Stadium in Zebulon, about 18 miles away, is home to the Class A Carolina Mudcats.

New homes and sprawling new neighborhood construction bring more and more families to Clayton. Three of the largest pharmaceutical companies have manufacturing plants located in Johnston County and have assisted in the county's economic development. Clayton is very convenient to employers in the downtown Raleigh area and the Research Triangle Park with quick and easy access to interstate and highway roads.

History

The Town of Clayton was incorporated in 1869. In the early 1900s, Clayton was a major market for tobacco, cotton and watermelon. Three area cotton mills were the mainstay of jobs in the area until the early '60s as farming went on the decline. Clayton is the second largest town in Johnston County, which is the 10th largest county in the state.

Fun Facts

Clayton High School won the Six-Man Football State Championship in 1952. When 1989 rolled around, the football team won the State 2-A Championship.

Things to Do

The Clayton Harvest Festival happens in September on Main Street.