calsfoundation@cals.org
January 4, 2007
Rector (Clay County), a railroad town incorporated in 1887, saw rapid growth in its first few years of development. Named in honor of former governor Henry Massey Rector, the town of mainly wooden structures and muddy streets survived a devastating fire not long after incorporation. The fire motivated the local Main Street businessmen to rebuild with brick, which can clearly be seen in this 1915 photo.