A stay at the historical H. S. Clay House is a true bed and breakfast experience, not just lovely accommodations. Since it is also the home of the innkeepers, you can expect attentive, personal service. The hosts are eager to share their dining recommendations, the best bike trails, tours of Augusta Missouri and their six award winning local wineries, micro brewery, quaint shops, local history and a myriad of other topics.

Inside the bed and breakfast, you will discover carefully collected furnishings and appointments, reflecting a philosophy that true luxury is a balance of comfort and elegance. "We think a house should be well used and well loved, so friends and guests are put at ease by the quality of their surroundings." The common rooms of the Clay House reflect the Victorians wonderful penchant for creative clutter, while the guest rooms invite intimacy and romance.

The guest rooms are uniquely furnished with collections of antiques, fine art, queen size beds, fireplaces and gracious finishing touches. The Clay House is representative of some of the finer historical homes you will find in Augusta, Missouri.

Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies on the sideboard with complimentary teas, lemonade, cocoas, or gourmet coffees have become an H. S. Clay House ritual. Appetizer specialties are served in the evening . These may include chicken liver pate, cheeses, crackers and our "Secret Punch" - the recipe of which the proprietors are more than happy to share.

It's an opportunity to share the days experience with other guests in the parlors by the fireplaces or sit and enjoy the woodland gardens in the rockers on the wrap around porch. There is even a covered patio with park benches and a fire pit when there is a bit of a nip in the air. Or, during warmer weather, enjoy the patio, ponds and waterfall that is adjacent to the hot tub which seats seven. Plus, there is 1,800 square feet of double tiered deck surrounding the pool with gazebos, umbrella tables, lounge chairs and rafts for the pool. Wherever you decide to sit, you will be able to enjoy one of Missouri's beautiful sunsets.

Now, a bit of history...

September 8, 1881, the "St. Charles Demokrat" reported that Dr. Hampson Strother Clay (thus H. S. Clay House) intended to become a physician in Augusta.

Before locating in Augusta, Dr. Clay, an 1873 graduate of the Missouri Medical College, had lived in Darst Bottom where he practiced medicine for about eight years. He became known as one of the leading physicians of that part of Missouri.

Dr. Clay built this Augusta home in 1885 for his second wife, Marie Koch Clay. They then began raising their family of four sons and five daughters. Soon after the birth of their ninth child, Dr. Clay passed away leaving Marie to raise their family. All of the sons eventually became doctors, as well as their sons. One of the daughters, Mabel, became a nurse and two of the daughters became teachers.

Marie lived in the home from 1887 until September, 1948 when she moved to Poplar Bluff, Missouri to live with her son, Dr. Hampson Strother Clay. Marie passed away in December of 1955 at the age of 92. The property originally encompassed one square city block containing Dr. Clay's office at the corner of Walnut and Ferry, a horse barn, an orchard and their residence.

The home was eventually sold out of the Clay family in 1956 for $5,500.00. The next owners added the "first" bathroom and central heating to the house. In 1986, restoration was begun to restore it to its former grandeur by a general contractor.

The current proprietors purchased the home in 1991 and began the final phase of restoration. Alan Buehre, a graduate of Washington University and University of Denver, along with his wife Leigh, have extensive culinary and hospitality experience. Together, they have made the H. S. Clay House Augusta's "most elegant Country Victorian Bed and Breakfast".

The H. S. Clay House Bed and Breakfast is located in the "Heart of the Missouri Wine Country".