New historic marker notes the legacy of Roanoke’s Claytor family

Family and friends of the Claytor family gathered outside the original Claytor Memorial Clinic in Roanoke’s Gainsboro neighborhood on Friday to celebrate the unveiling of a new state historic marker that shares a brief synopsis of the family’s history and “never-ending perseverance.”

Five generations of Claytor family doctors have served Roanoke for more than 100 years. In 1948, Dr. John Claytor Sr. opened a medical clinic in memory of his wife, Roberta Woodfin Claytor — essentially, according to Conrad Claytor, a “condensed hospital,” offering a variety of medical and dental care. It was one of the first Black-owned medical clinics in the region, and it served patients not only in Roanoke, but across Southwest Virginia at a time when health care was often not accessible to Black people in the South.

“They always placed front and center their faith in God, their love of family and their never-ending perseverance,” Conrad Claytor said of his family at the unveiling. Conrad is the son of Dr. Frank Claytor, one of the original family doctors in the practice. “The story of Dr. John and Roberta Claytor are a lesson for us all and an inspiration.”

He said the impact his family had at the time was “enormous.” His family always wanted to give back to their communities, as a part of their faith, he said, and their story is one of “perseverance.”

The new marker, which stands in a grassy area between the original Claytor Memorial Clinic building and the Gainsboro Library, is one of 13 historical markers in Roanoke. Nelson Harris, a former mayor and local historian, acted as the applicant, researcher and sponsor for the marker, a process that he’s been working on for a year and a half.

Tucker Lemon, former vice chair of the Virginia Board of Historic Resources, said this is the fourth marker dedication in the last 18 months in Roanoke, and the third that is focused on Black figures in the community.

“It is so exciting for our community that we have these markers going up to recognize some of the most important, though overlooked, stories in our city,” said Lemon, a Roanoke resident, who sat on the board that votes on proposed markers.

According to Lemon, markers focused on Black history now account for 60% of all new state markers.

“As we gather here today, we honor the Claytor family,” Harris said in a speech before the unveiling. “We honor certainly their history here in the city. But we also honor their tenacity in challenging something that should never have been.”

Starting in the late 1950s and running into the 1980s, Roanoke embarked on a period of so-called urban renewal, which destroyed hundreds of Black homes and businesses in the city’s Gainsboro and Northeast neighborhoods.

In 1976, the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority threatened to use eminent domain to seize the Claytors’ clinic and other nearby properties. The Claytor family found themselves unable to sell the building, leaving them in a “complete limbo,” Harris said.

The family initiated litigation, and won, meaning a provision in the state’s eminent domain law was ruled unconstitutional. The constitution was amended to prevent localities from using eminent domain “in such a way that a piece of property would stay under the blanket of eminent domain for an extended period of time,” Harris said.

This legislation change was a large part of Harris’ application for the historical marker, he said.

Jordan Bell, a Gainsboro historian, said his aunt told him stories of Dr. John Claytor Sr.’s home visits. Bell has become close with the family, and he joked during the event that his last name is not Claytor, despite his familiarity with them.

“They were members of their church. They were members of the school that they attended, and this family … is such an important piece to what Gainsboro was, still is, and should become,” Bell said. “And one of the most important parts of that is the urban renewal part.”

Bell went on to tell the audience about instances of arson during urban renewal. The clinic building was heavily damaged by fire in 1995, a year after it had closed. He said it’s up to the community to rebuild.

“While what stands here may appear to be a shell of what was, teeming within these walls is an unquenchable spirit of love, innovation and compassion, awaiting a resurrection of newfound purpose,” said Vice Mayor Joe Cobb.

The next step, according to many who are involved, is the restoration of the building. To make that happen, Bell said, “The city of Roanoke needs to step up.”

He said it’s because of the city that the clinic is not thriving today.

“I’m speaking of them investing resources and finances into restoring this clinic for the community, and that is what the family wants as well,” Bell said. “And, community leaders need to step up and put pressure on the city in order for that to happen.”

He said the family has already done work to show what the piece of property could look like if restored. The family isn’t stopping at the clinic, but is looking to restore the entire Gainsboro community.

“The marker cannot be the end,” Bell said. “In order for the marker to have true meaning, the city and the community needs to support the family in restoring the Claytor Clinic.”

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