The past few weeks I've been off from work. Part of my time off found me headed down the road to a tree stand in search of a deer.

One of my favorite things to do when I'm not on the clock and pushed for time is to take some back roads and see some places most people won't. One of my side journeys led me to a little town between Parkston and Marion called Clayton, South Dakota. 

Obviously there isn't a lot left of Clayton. Every once in a while I get a call from a guy that claims to live right in the town. I wonder if he was the one baling hay just outside of town the day I drove through.

Regardless, Clayton was my good luck town of the day. I was just about to head home for the day after a morning sitting in a tree stand when I stopped in town. While I was sitting on Mail Street in Clayton, I decided to turn around and go back and hunt again that afternoon.

UPDATE: Since I published this story, I have received phone calls and e-mails from many who have more to add to this story:

About Clayton, SD, I am John Marquardt. My parents used to basically own the town except for 2 houses. Clayton, South Dakota has tremendous history.  At one time the largest International Harvester dealer in SD was located in Clayton. Clayton also was home of the largest Supersweet feed dealer in the state of SD. The small town held one of the best 4th of July Celebrations in the area with guest appearances of celebrities as Captain 11, roller skating donkeys, huge fireworks displays, and great community involved entertainment.

Cammy Weber wrote on our Facebook page at KIKN Country:

The saying for when being asked where you live & being from Emery, SD used to be: I live just north of Clayton SD...which is even more ambiguous than living in Emery SD. Had some fun Demolition Derbies there back in the mid-80s (good old days).


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