Clayton is a small town in Liberty Township, Hendricks County, Indiana, United States. The population was 972 at the 2010 census, up from 693 at the 2000 census. History In 1829 a little town in Liberty Township was named "Clayville", honoring Henry Clay, the Kentucky statesman. In 1835, Clayville consisted of ten houses and 43 people. The Town of Clayville was platted in 1851 by George W. Wills. The name was changed to "Clayton" in 1858 because another Clayville already existed in Dubois County. The first two houses in Clayton were built by Thomas Potts and Lewis T. Pounds, and Parker & Foote was the first store. George Wills built the first hotel, and John Miles and James Worrell developed the first flouring mill. The first train passed through in 1852. By the early 1900s, the town had electric service, supplied by the Danville Light, Heat and Power Co. The first schoolhouse built in Clayton was erected in 1867. In the spring of 1868, Howard Mitchell started a subscription school in the new building. The first high school of the township was built in nearby Cartersburg in 1897. In the fall of 1901 the high school was transferred to Clayton, which made it nearer the middle of the township and the center of the school population. In 1909 the town was incorporated and had a population of 497. Geography Clayton is located in southern Hendricks County at (39.689427, -86.522752). Indiana State Road 39 is the main road through the town, leading north to Danville, the county seat, and southeast to U.S. Route 40 at Belleville. Via US-40, Plainfield is east of Clayton. Interstate 70 passes south of Clayton, with access from State Road 39. Downtown Indianapolis is east of Clayton, depending on which highway is taken. According to the 2010 census, Clayton has a total area of , all land. Entertainment Clayton is known for its annual Fall Festival sponsored by the Clayton Community Association in September, featuring horse pulls, tractor pulls, live bands, food, kids' games, bingo, a parade and more. Clayton also sponsors the annual "Triple F Ride" in June which is a non-profit bike rally starting in Lambert Park. The park is also home to a "Movies in the Park" series on Friday evenings. Education Mill Creek School Corporation is a four-star school system. Three of their four schools are located in Clayton: Mill Creek East Elementary,