Clayton, Michigan - 49236

Clayton is a small, rural community located in western Lenawee County about nine miles west of Adrian and nine miles north of the Ohio state line, near the junction of M-34 and M-156. This town functions primarily today as an adjunct community to the greater Adrian area, but also has a few stores and a gift shop.

This town once thrived during the lumber era, with a station on the Lake Shore & Southern Michigan Railroad. It still has an active historical society which is involved in preservation of some of the older buildings there. Clayton was first settled in 1836, then known as East Dover, after the township. It was officially platted and registered in 1843 by resident Reuben E. Bird. In 1849, he had the post office renamed Clayton after his friend from New York State, Rev. Clayton, a Presbyterian minister. It was incorporated as a village in 1870