Illinois State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) will be hosting a ceremony to designate the bridge on Route 160 between Highland and Grantfork in Madison County crossing over I-70 as the “Richard Clayton Bridge”. The ceremony is open to the public and will be held at the Nagel farm on the South West corner before the bridge on Saturday, August 24th beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Richard Clayton graduated from Pocahontas High School, where he was a star basketball player. He enrolled in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, but his family’s finances did not allow him to stay and earn a degree, so he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1950, achieving the rank of sergeant and serving honorably until his discharge in 1952.
Following Richard Clayton’s service to our country, his career became focused on highway bridge construction in Southern Illinois until he retired and opened a new business. In 1985, Richard Clayton started Chipwood Acres Nursery with his wife on their property along Route 160, it was a successful tree and plant nursery for 20 years where they shared their landscaping talents with the local community.
In honor of Richard Clayton’s contribution to the betterment of the State, the Illinois General Assembly chose to designate the bridge on Route 160 between Highland and Grantfork in Madison County crossing over I-70 as the “Richard Clayton Bridge”.
The bridge dedication is open to the public for anyone interested in attending. For more information about the ceremony, please contact Rep. Meier’s office at 618-651-0405.