Clay Township....

Clay Township was organized in 1859 along with Pond Creek and Wilson upon the formation of Christian County. It is named in honor of Henry Clay. It comprises all of the north 30 sections of T28N and R21W. It is bordered by Christian County on the south, Wilson Township on the west, Campbell Township on the north, and Washington Township on the east. A portion of the Kickapoo Prairie extends into Clay Township from the west. The James fork of the White River, known generally as "The James" or "The Jeems" flows through the township diagonally from the northeast to the southwest. The White River branch of the Frisco Railroad or Springfield & Southern, traverses the township. A cave and spring, known variously as Fishers, Springdale, and Sequoita, is one of the geological features in the township. No major towns are presently located in the Clay Township other than Springfield, whose southeast limits make up a large part of the township. Former settlements included Galloway, Sequoita, Mentor, and Kissick, also known as Rule and Gates. The damming of the James River produced Lake Springfield which serves as a cooling-water reservoir for the James River Power Plant as well as recreation.

Earliest settlers include Edward M. Thompson, 1830, and Charles A. Haden.

Kissick

The town site of Kissick is now occupied by the James River Power Plant operated by the Springfield City Utilities. As the city of Springfield grew, there was an increasing need for electric power. A hydro-electric generating plant on the James River was impractical due to its irregular flow. A steam generating plant was selected as the best source for power generation. A location on the James River south of the city was chosen as the site. Construction was started and the turbines went online in 1957. A dam across the James provides a cooling water reservoir, as well as recreation.

Return to the list of Greene County's townships.