For many millennia, the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans.

In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square miles (2,140,000 km2) Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1859, Chase County was established within the Kansas Territory, which included the land for modern day Clements.

In 1881, the post office from Silver Creek was moved to the rail community of Crawfordsville, which was renamed in 1884 to Clements.

In June and July 1951, due to heavy rains, rivers and streams flooded numerous cities in Kansas, including Clements.