Clay Center was first settled in 1862. It was named from its position near the geographical center of Clay County. The first post office was established in Clay Center on July 3, 1862. Clay Center was located on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads.
Becoming the President: In 1896, William McKinley was nominated to run for president for the Republican Party with Garret Hobart as his running mate. He was opposed by William Jennings Bryan who during his acceptance to the nomination gave his famous Cross of Gold speech where he spoke against the gold standard.
National Progressive Convention, 1912, in the Chicago Coliseum. The Progressive Party of 1912 was an American third party. It was formed by former President Theodore Roosevelt after he lost the presidential nomination of the Republican Party to his former protÃ©gÃ©, President William Howard Taft.