History of the Clayton Chamber of Commerce 1951-2017; a rich history of helping the businesses and citizens of the town of Clayton, NC
Founding Founded in 1951 as the Clayton Merchant s and Credit Association R. Lawrence Cooper was the first President Connie Hicks was the first secretary Quickly established several new activities, awards, and festivals. From left to right: back row; Maynard Knott, Kenneth Smith, Douglas Bain, Ray Hardee, Elton Pittman. Middle row; E. W. (Bo) Ellis, Ray Gulley, Judson Whitley. Front row; Lawrence Cooper, Connie Hicks, Paul Keller Picture credit: Judson Whitley Collection
Clayton Merchant s and Credit Association Early functions of Clayton Merchant s Association: To work for and help merchants of Clayton Produce and write credit reports for merchants of Clayton Organize events to promote Clayton, like the Cotton Festival, Christmas Parade, and Clayton Centennial Celebration Promote Clayton and its businesses A brochure and pamphlet produced by the Clayton Merchant s Association in 1960
Clayton Chamber of Commerce In the late 1960 s, the Merchant s and Credit Association stopped doing credit reports and decided to change the name to Chamber of Commerce to be more fitting and start drawing in more than just merchants. Throughout the 60 s and 70 s the Chamber grew and began conducting more business with merchants, citizens, and industry Executive secretary Rochelle Bolyard stands in front of the Clayton Chamber of Commerce building on Main St. in 1971
Citizen of the Year Award Started as a way to support the community and people that worked hard for businesses and the town of Clayton and it egan as Employee of the Year. In 1951, the award went to Jimmy Nappier Continued, with changes in title throughout history of Chamber. Presented each year at the annual banquet for the Chamber in January. D. C. Poole was Employee of the Year in 1956, award presented by President of the Association, Charles Beddingfield, Jr.
Citizen of the Year Then (Below) Dr. Thomas Bass (left) won the Citizen of the Year) award in 1976, pictured with Jim Nappier Jr., Chamber President for 1977 and son of first winner of Employee of the Year award in 1951 (Above) Troy Page, Jr. (left) is awarded the Man of the Year award in 1968 by Keesler Eason (right), a well known merchant of Clayton
Citizen of the Year Now (Below) The 2016 Citizen of the Year, Mr. John Long (Above) In 2012, the late Michael F. Smith won the Citizen of the Year award, pictured above are his wife and parents who received the award for him, presented by Lisa Secca (left)
Cotton Festival First one in 1951, first year of Merchant s Association Huge festival, thousands of people in attendance. Included mile long parade with over 60 floats, a clown, the Mt. Olive High School Band, and several other treats. Street dance Saturday night Several other events added through next two years, including a pig show, tractor rodeo, milking contest, and a greased pig race, among other things. Cotton bales in Clayton in 1940
Cotton Festival J.G. Barbour & Sons float in Cotton Festival Parade in 1952 (Credit: Joyce Barbour Collection) Float from Cotton Festival Parade in 1952 featuring Anna Ross Jones, Jackie Yates, Betty Stewart, Delores Wall, Marie Snipes, and Jim and John Massey.
Soybean Festival North Carolina Soybean Festival begun in 1972. Similar attractions as Cotton Festival, focus on beauty pageant crowning the North Carolina Soybean Festival Queen. Drew near 10,000 people to downtown Clayton for the festivities. Ended in the early 1980 s when the soybean plant in Clayton closed down. Billboard (above) and banner across Main St. (below) advertising the first Soybean Festival in 1972
Soybean Festival First Annual Soybean Festival Brochure cover, 1972 Proclamation from NC Governor, Robert W. Scott announcing the NC Soybean Festival to take place in Clayton its first year in 1972
Harvest Festival 1986 began the first Harvest Festival. Bigger and better than ever before Again, similar events to earlier festivals, and celebration of Harvest. Continued in popularity and grew in size through 90 s. Leaflet advertising the first annual Harvest Festival printed in the Clayton Star 1986 and schedule of events for the festival
Harvest Festival Then Booths and other events in Horne Square in 1995 during the Harvest Festival
Harvest Festival 1990 s Harvest Festival booths, rides, and other events throughout the 90 s as the festival grew in popularity.
Harvest Festival 2000 s Pictures of Main St. during the Harvest Festival in 2012
Harvest Festival Today In 2010, the name changed to the Harvest and Music Festival to incorporate more live music. In 2017 it was revised back to Clayton Harvest Festival with a new logo. Clayton Idol begun in 2004. Scotty McCreery, later to go on to win American Idol, won in 2009. The last Clayton Idol was held in 2016. Grows each year with more people, more events, and more fun!
Clayton Christmas Parade Yearly parade sponsored by the Clayton Merchant s Association, later known as the Chamber of Commerce. Began in 1951 and is now sponsored by The Clayton Rotary. Clayton Food Town float in 1972 Majorettes in the Christmas Parade in 1963
Christmas Parade Continued Christmas Parades in 1995, 1996 featuring trucks, floats, and the Clayton Middle School Eagle Marching Band (upper right corner)
Christmas Parade Today Christmas parade in recent years has reached up to 115 entries Featuring local businesses, important people, churches, civic organizations, and high school and middle school bands, similarly to 1950 s Draws over 10,000 people to downtown area Special invites are given to come to the parade, unlike the past
Christmas Parade Today Clayton Middle School (above) and Clayton High School (top right) Marching Bands and Clayton Fire Department Fire Trucks (bottom right) in the parade in 2012
Clayton Centennial 1969 Spearheaded by the Clayton Chamber of Commerce To celebrate 100 years since the incorporation of Clayton Was huge success and extremely popular Saw many citizens dressing up as if it was 1869, men growing full beards and women dressing in large dresses. Headquarters was at Horne Mansion.
Clayton Chamber Building The Merchant s Association originally met in the local youth center and in different buildings around town. Eventually, however, the Chamber received its on building in the 1960 s on Main St. in Clayton, currently where Sullivan Realty is In the 1980 s the Chamber again moved its office to a small building on Barbour St. Clayton Chamber of Commerce building on Barbour St. in 1986 Photo Credit: Chamber of Commerce Collection
Clayton Chamber Building Continued In 1995 First Citizen s Bank decided to move locations from their historic building on the corner of Main St. and Barbour St. in downtown Clayton With this decision they donated the building to the Clayton Chamber of Commerce for a new office to represent the rich history of Clayton.
Original First Citizens Bank Building Originally built for the Clayton Banking Co. in 1919, the building was remarkable for its neo-classical style that was rare in other places in town and the region. After being taken over by First Citizens in 1939, there were only two major changes to the building, which were still minor compared to the historic importance of it. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996 through the work of the Chamber s executive director Melissa Oliver.
Clayton Banking Co. and First Citizens The building, under construction, in 1919. Clayton Banking Co. officers and leaders c. 1920 The building in 1969 as First Citizens Bank building
Renovation of the Chamber Although now on the National Register of Historic Places, the historic First Citizen s building had to undergo some major changes in order to make it safe for the Chamber to conduct business there. Maintained historical integrity, most importantly the exterior and the vault.
Finishing touches on renovation Bob Satterfield finishes the new sign on the window in 1997. Secretary and soon-to-be executive director Sally Schlindwein offers design concepts for the interior of the office in 1997. Photo credit: Chamber of Commerce Collection
New Building for the Chamber of Commerce Once finished, the Chamber had a beautiful, historic office building to be proud of. Executive Directors Melissa Oliver (1994-1998) and Sally Schlindwein (1998-2010) did amazing amounts of fundraising to pay for the project, but it paid off. Chamber of Commerce building bearing it s new logo in June 2017 Credit: Chamber of Commerce Col.
Chamber of Commerce Then & Now Dana Wooten poses with the vault at the Chamber in 2017 Melissa Oliver poses with the vault in the new building in 1997
Recent History and Moving Forward After the retirement of long-time executive director Sally Schlindwein in 2010, the Chamber hired a new director, Jim Godfrey, to come on and grow even more. In 2016, The Chamber hired Dana Wooten, to serve as the Chamber s President and CEO. Hannah Pellas is the Chamber s Director of Events and Communications and Maria Bunn is the Chamber s Director of Operations and Member Services. In 2017, the Chamber has grown to be larger than ever before and is growing steadily. The Chamber still plans the annual Harvest Festival and many other events. Other major events for the Chamber include: The Annual Meeting The Reverse Raffle Administrative Professional s Luncheon Golf Tournament Squealin on the Square.
Fun Facts and Modern Chamber The Chamber today has over 475 members There are 20 Chamber Champions, sponsoring the Chamber The Chamber hosts 4 quarterly Eggs and Issues events with guest speakers from local and state government and economic development The Chamber offers many monthly networking opportunities including: -Business Before Hours -Business After Hours -Meeting of the Minds -Coffee and Conversations
The End Questions? Comments? Anything we missed that you know or have pictures of? Let us know, we d love to hear anything you remember or know All photos and information not credited are credited to the Clayton History Room. Researched, compiled, and created by Colby Lipscomb