EXPLORE CLAY COUNTY - BRAZIL INDIANA - Great Places - Great Faces

The Farm Connection in Clay City Indiana

“It is a privilege to be taking care of a part of creation, which in turn allows us to be a part of meeting the needs of the people whose paths we cross.”

“The Farm Connection” is nestled northeast of the small town of Clay City, Indiana (known as “Mayberry of the Midwest”) amid the rolling hills and beautiful woods of the area.

Clay City Pottery - 130 Years of Service!

Clay City Pottery is one of the few family potteries in the nation still making traditional stoneware and they are right here in Clay County!

The Griffith family has been crafting kiln-fired clay into beautiful pieces of stoneware for 130 years. The fifth and sixth generations of the Griffith family are now working the family pottery.

Mayberry Malt & Coffee Shoppe

Nothing is more nostalgic and more iconic of mid-20th Century Americana than thinking back to the Andy Griffith Show and having a malt—or a cup of coffee— in Ellie’s Drug Store. And there’s nothing today quite like visiting the Mayberry Malt & Coffee Shoppe in Clay City, Indiana—the Mayberry of the Midwest.

Van Buren Volunteer Fire Dept Fish Fry

For 53 Years, the Van Buren Volunteer Fire Department in Carbon Indiana has been hosting a Jonah Fish Fry for their community. Jonah Fish Fry’s are one of the most popular community gatherings around in Clay County.

Come enjoy the newly remodeled firehouse in Carbon, enjoy delicious food, see old friends, meet new friends under the roofed picnic shelter or sitting in the audience as local performers entertain all evening.

Deak’s Fur Company in Staunton Indiana

Deak’s Fur Company, located in Staunton, Indiana, strives to supply the Hoosier outdoorsman with everything to enjoy his craft. Deak’s has been a family owned business for over 45 years.

City of Brazil, Indiana - Into The Future

After nearly 65 years, the Chafariz dos Contos Fountain in the Clay County city of Brazil, Ind. still draws visitors from the South American Country that bears the same name.

The Chafariz dos Contos Fountain adorns the south side gateway into the city at the entrance into Forest Park and has for years been a symbolic icon for the city of Brazil. Presented to the city in 1954, The Chafariz dos Contos or, the Fountain of Friendship, was a gift from the Republic of Brazil, South America as a symbol of friendship and in recognition of Brazil, Ind. as a sister city.

Brazil Main Street for a Better Community

The City of Brazil in Clay County is looking good and residents are feeling more upbeat about their community—and it is, in part, due to the organization Brazil Main Street.

Brazil Main Street was formed in 2009 by interested folks in the Brazil area who wished to clean up, improve and add beautification projects to the downtown area. The second generation of Brazil Main Street was incorporated into a 501c3 not for profit corporation in 2013. The group works together with other service organizations for the good of the community. It is staffed entirely of local volunteers who share a vision and an interest in improving the quality of life of our community.

Rotary Club of Brazil, Indiana

Although the Brazil Rotary Club is known for its week long 4th of July celebrations in Brazil’s Forest Park—its 83rd to be exact—the club does so much more for the community. Brazil Rotary Club follows its motto: Service Above Self.

The local chapter, 50 men and women in all areas of business, is proud of its heritage, having as its first president Sylvester Schiele of Clay City, Indiana. Schiele was one of the original founders of Rotary International. As a local Clay County coal mine owner, Schiele did business in the big city of Chicago and needed an attorney. He knocked on the door of Chicago attorney Paul Harris, and later, through the ensuing friendship and together with several others, they formed Rotary International. In Brazil, the first annual Independence Day Celebration was held in Forest Park on July 4, 1936, hosted by the Lions Club, before Rotarians later took on the project.

Clay County Historical Museum in Brazil IN

Many interesting and famous people originated in Clay County Ind. and the Clay County Historical Museum is a great place to learn about them as well as other interesting facts and histories of the places and people of Clay County.

In the Historical Museum located in the old Brazil Post Office, which is on the National Register of Historic places, you will find special displays for the likes of Charles B. Hall the famous Tuskegee Airman, former Indiana governor George N. Craig, Gold Medal Olympian Ivan Fuqua and Labor Leader Jimmy Hoffa whose mysterious disappearance in 1975 still enthralls many. The upstairs of the Museum features an antique Doctor’s room, and quilt room, an old school room and a military display room.

Brazil City Parks - Peaceful, Fun Get-Away

Whether you are local or just visiting Clay County, some of the places you will want to explore are our beautiful, peaceful Brazil parks.

Forest Park, offers 49 acres of woodland, a 1/4 mile paved walking/go-cart track, and an incredible 4,000 sq. foot wood playground to delight every child! There is a four-field baseball complex, 13 picnic shelters and a 267,000 gallon swimming pool for summer fun.