Elite

A look at Clayton, New York

Welcome to Clayton, N.Y., the site of the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River.

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Photography by
Andy Crawford
Welcome to Clayton, N.Y., the site of the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River. Take a tour of the quaint village, which offers a wonderful snapshot of the best of small-town America.
The soaring spire of St. Mary’s Catholic Church dominates the Clayton skyline. This marvelous gothic church was built in 1889, but the parish has served the area since the 1840s.
Like many small American towns, flags are everywhere.
The downtown district is lined with buildings catologing the history of the village.
This village is alive and well, with businesses housed in pretty much all of the historic buildings.
From eateries to apparel shops to museums, Clayton has something for everyone.
Even some of the alleys are utilized in ingenious ways. Here, old signs decorate the side of one building.
Many of the buildings in Clayton date to the 1800s, with a distinct Victorian feel.
True to the small-town American feel of Clayton, American Legion Post 821 stands in one of the old buildings in the center of the downtown region.
The Honor Roll to those Clayton-area residents who gave the ultimate sacrifice during World Wars I and II is prominently displayed on the American Legion building.
Clayton’s connection to the St. Lawrence River is evident everywhere, even in the murals painted on buildings throughout the village.
Clayton is located right on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, a major thoroughfare for commercial ships and a playground for recreational boaters and anglers.
Lighthouses dot the length of the St. Lawrence River, still playing important roles in maritime navigation. So it makes sense a lighthouse monument would stand in Clayton.
2022 marks the Village Clayton’s 150th anniversary.
Stroll the waterfront and enjoy the sunrise as a new day begins over the Thousand Islands section of the St. Lawrence River.
Flowers bloom everywhere in the village, adding to the charm and beauty. These little touches add to the small-town feel.
Village leaders clearly want visitors to enjoy the gorgeous views of the St. Lawrence River, providing a number of parks lined with comfortable chairs.
One of the green spaces is Frink Park, dedicated to the memory of Carl H. Frink, a Clayton native known as the inventor of the steel snow plow. By the 1930s, his Frink Sno-Plow became the largest producer of snow plows in the United States, and the company operated until 2000.
This covered area is one of the hallmarks of Frink Park, offering a shaded spot to watch the river.
The St. Lawrence River is known for its great fishing, and muskie have played a huge part in the history of the river. Anglers have battled the river’s famously hard-fighting fish as far back as the mid-1800s.
The importance of the maritime industry to the Village of Clayton can’t be overstated, so there are monuments like this huge anchor everywhere.
The waterfront also offers on-the-water eateries, allowing patrons to enjoy their meals and the gorgeous river views.
Clayton stands right across the river from Canada, making it an international entry point. Anyone visiting from Canada is required to check in.
Visitors can find a variety of lodging, ranging from AirBnBs to a quaint motel to the more upscale Harbor Hotel.
Clayton is home to the Antique and Classic Boat Society’s international headquarters, another sign of how the St. Lawrence River shaped the village.
The Antique Boat Museum is a must when visiting Clayton.
The Antique Boat Museum pays tribute to the rich history of wooden boats that have plied the waters of the St. Lawrence River.
Inside the Antique Boat Museum you’ll find amazing examples of the old boats that once plied the rich waters of the St. Lawrence River.
The details of these old boats are simply amazing.
Marinas surround the little village, offering plenty of opportunities for boaters to enjoy everything Clayton has to offer.
Businesses on the waterfront offer all manner of services, including water taxis.
Don’t forget to grab some ice cream during your visit. There are several options to do so, including The Castle that has served the area since 1959.

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