Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
CLAYPOOL - Although the founders of the village of Claypool are no longer living, their memory lives on and a celebration is planned this weekend to commemorate the 125th birthday of the town.
According to information printed in the Claypool Centennial book in 1973, Claypool was a station on the Cincinnati, Wabash & Michigan Railroad and was laid out May 10, 1873, by John M. and Nelson Geigh. They were the proprietors of the land upon which the town is situated, and the "village" limits extended from Section Street at Main Street and a point one-half block west of Railroad Street, just beyond what, in 1975, was the Norfolk and Western Railroad. Two years later, the first addition to the town was made and included land west of town to Clay Street, south one-half mile beyond Harrison Street and east to one-half block of Main Street.
In 1881, the area east of Main Street to Graceland (then High Street) and south beyond the railroad was platted.
Other early additions came in 1882, 1914 and 1925. The most recent section annexed into the town came just last year, with ground being broken for the Claypool Beginnings Subdivision in July.
Principal business interests 125 years ago were a general merchandise and grain dealer, a drug and grocery store, a sawmill, a lumber dealer, a furniture dealer and pump manufacturer, two physicians and a blacksmith.
The post office came along in 1840 at the house of Joshua Caldwell, who held the position of postmaster for several years.
One of the most memorable points in Claypool history came in 1966, when the Claypool High School basketball team won the county championship for the third consecutive year. Coach Tom Miller wrote in the Centennial book that "Claypool is one of the two schools in the history of this county to ever win the tournament three times and I believe the only one to win three times in a row."
It's unlikely that any members of the Class of 1966 will be playing in the 3-on-3 tournament Saturday, but residents and visitors are sure to enjoy that and the many other activities planned for this weekend in Claypool.
The birthday party fun starts Friday evening with cars, trucks and motorcycles tooling into town for a cruise-in and car show. It begins at 5 p.m. on Railroad Street, with no parking provided in that area for attendees.
Along with the car show, Krusin' Oldies will provide music from the '50s and '60s.
Also on Friday, the Claypool Lions Club will serve tenderloins, hot dogs, chips and drinks at the Lions Building.
On Saturday, events begin with a parade at 10 a.m. (registration and line-up at 9 a.m. in the school parking lot). The parade route is west on Section Street and south on Main Street through downtown, dispersing before the railroad crossing.
Peg Shively, reigning "Woman of the Year" in Kosciusko County, has been selected grand marshal.
Winners in the parade, as well as the naming of "Miss Claypool," will be announced downtown after the parade.
Contestants for Miss Claypool are Alexis Richey, daughter of Joyce Alexander and Matt Richey, and Angie Warner, daughter of Danny and Lorrie Warner. The winner of the contest will be determined by a penny-a-vote, as will the winner of the baby photo contest (ages 0-2). A cutie king and queen - for ages 3 through 6 - will be named from among four contestants.
At 11 a.m., the Claypool firemen will sponsor a waterball competition on Railroad Street, near the Lions Building. The contest will be a double-elimination, with trophies awarded for first-, second- and third-place winners.
A kiddie tractor pull sponsored by First National Bank takes place at noon on Main Street. There will be five weight classes, and winners will receive T-shirts.
The 3-on-3 basketball tournament, at the town park, also starts at noon.
"Simple Truth," a contemporary Christian band, will perform downtown throughout the day. Members of the band are Amy Gilbert, Jim Smith, and Dianna, Jaison, Dave and Ron Baker of Claypool United Methodist Church.
Also throughout the day there will be several carnival-style games for the kids until 3 p.m. on Main Street. At 3:30 p.m., free fun contests, such as a water balloon toss, peanut spit and cupcake walk, are planned.
Concessions and tickets for a raffle will be available during the birthday party. Raffle prizes will be awarded at 5 p.m.
This birthday celebration will go down in history for Claypool.
