Clay County was created by the Alabama Legislature on 1866 Dec. 7. It is named for U.S. Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky. The county is located in the east-central part of the state, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It encompasses 605 square miles. The Talladega National Forest is located in the western part of the county. The county seat is located at Ashland. Other communities include Lineville and Mellow Valley.