From the National Register application:
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"1891.
This two-story brick and stone building has a projecting center bay that was once topped by a frame tower enclosing the firehouse bell. Flanking the center are two wide bays with segmented arched windows inset with three 111 double hung sashes with arched transoms. The cornice line and parapet wall are simple, except for the corner blocks that are topped by pyramidal finials. On the first floor, the central arched entrance is encircled by stone flanked by a garage door opening to the north and a secondary entrance (store infilled with a modern door) to the south."
From the Chamber of Commerce website:
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"In 1834, Rives County was officially organized and later renamed Henry County in honor of patriot Patrick Henry. The organizing act of 1834 named three commissioners: Henderson Young and Daniel McDowell of Lafayette County and Daniel M. Boone (son of Daniel Boone) of Jackson County, "for the purpose of selecting a seat of justice... for the county of Rives Henry."
Several locations were presented as possibilities. The decisions for choosing of the county seat came before the county court in November, 1836. The new village's location was "the southeast quarter of section 3, township 41, range 26."
The first mention of the name "Clinton" was at the February, 1837 term of the county court: "Ordered that James M. Goff be allowed $42.75 for services rendered in laying off the town of Clinton...". Peyton Parks was appointed county seat commissioner, with full power to lay out the town, sell lots, and do whatever was necessary to get Clinton started. The town was named for DeWitt Clinton, Governor of the state of New York and a major proponent of the Erie Canal.
Mr. Goff marked off 64 lots and the streets now surrounding the square in January, 1837. His streets around the square were 80 feet wide, a six acre square on the prairie. The four streets around the square, and one more street in each direction, were named Main, Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Green, Grand River, East and Water.
East Street was found to be just over the section line and was not laid out on the first plat.
The location for the Clinton Square may have been chosen because it was the last high ground, a natural campsite, before the pioneers went West down the natural pathway cut by animals and Indians."