by Shawn Nowlin
In another significant step towards shedding light on the African American experience and its role in shaping Roanoke, the Claytor Memorial Clinic had a historical marker dedication ceremony Friday, July 5 across from the Gainsboro Library.
Local officials worked closely with state leaders to get this project across the finish line.
The person primarily responsible for the gathering was Dr. John B. Claytor Sr., a renowned medical specialist who died in October 1951 at 73. When he opened one of Southwest Virginia’s first Black-owned medical practices in 1948 in honor of his wife Roberta, the facility provided care in internal medicine, obstetrics, general surgery, gynecology and dentistry.
Whenever a patient couldn’t afford to pay for services due to Jim Crow laws at the time or other factors, the Claytor family established a payment plan to provide assistance.
Present for the marker unveiling on July 5 were state and local officials, former patients, historians, longtime community residents and more.
Guest speakers were Jordan Bell, Community Activist; Nelson Harris, Former Roanoke Mayor; Joe Cobb, Roanoke’s Vice Mayor; Dr. Conrad Claytor; grandson of Dr. John Claytor; and Tucker Lemon, the former chairman of the board of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.
Harris, who helped to raise the necessary funds, said, “I had the privilege of being the applicant, researcher and sponsor for the Claytor Memorial Clinic Historic Marker. That process began about a year and-a-half ago, so it’s nice to see this day finally arrive. This marker not only represents an important building and medical practice, but what many may not know is this clinic and the Claytor family ended up changing the constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
Bell added, “I met Dr. Walter Claytor about six years ago, and he was one of the most extraordinary people I’ve ever met. The Claytor family history is such an important piece to what Gainsboro was, still is and should become.”
John, who like many others considers the clinic hallowed ground, noted, “Today we have close to 40 family members here to celebrate this recognition. My family represents the second, third and fourth generations of the Claytor family. I am certain that John and Roberta would delight in seeing how their family has grown.”
The Claytor family tree is as long as it is impressive: John Sr. (surgeon), Frank (internist), Walter (specialist) and Ralph (master mechanic), all deceased; Conrad Jr. (podiatrist), Richard (psychiatrist) and Monica Cabbler (wellness expert), just to name a few.
In totality, the marker reads, “Dr. John B. Claytor Sr. opened the Claytor Memorial Clinic here in honor of his late wife, Roberta, in 1948. Situated in a vibrant Black community, this was one of the first Black, family-owned medical clinics in Southwest Virginia. Urban Renewal, under which the City of Roanoke demolished numerous homes, businesses, and churches between 1955 and the late 1990s, hollowed out this and other Black neighborhoods. The city, using eminent domain, planned to acquire the Clinic and other Claytor buildings in the 1970s but never did so, leaving the properties in limbo for years. In 2001 the Claytor’s initiated legal action that helped inspire limitations on redevelopment authorities and eminent domain.”
A reception was held at the library after the well-overdue event.
