Clay County, North Carolina

Communities and Points of Interest:

Hayesville
Warne
Brasstown
Clays Corner
Jarrett Road
Sweetwater
Shooting Creek
Rainbow Springs
Wayah Bald
Standing Indian
Hiwassee River
Shooting Creek and Thumping Creek
Fires Creek
Lake Chatuge
Lake Nantahala
Chatuge Dam
Jackrabbit Mountain
Fires Creek Wildlife Management Area
Tusquittee Creek
Spikebuck Mound

History

In 1839 Captain Hembree was sent to what was then part of Cherokee County to establish a fort to hold the Cherokee Indians that had been rounded up The stockade, called Fort Hembree, was constructed about a mile from what now is the town of Hayesville. This along with Cherokee County this was the beginning of the “Trail of Tears".

Clay County was formed in 1861 from parts of Cherokee and Macon Counties North Carolina and was named for Henry Clay, the honored statesman. The town of Hayesville was incorporated in 1913 and was names after George Hayes. The original Courthouse was burned down in 1861 and the present Court house was built in 1870 for a cost of $7,799.50. This Clay County Court House is still in use today and was added to the National Registry in June 1991.

The Clay County Jail was constructed in 1912 by George Love and Thomas Lovin at a cost of $3,829.00 and was in service till 1972. The new jail was built by high school students studying carpeting and brick/block masonry.

Weather

Climate:
Summer High - 85 Low - 60
Winter High - 50 Low - 10
Average rain fall is 65 inches per year.

There are 64,200 acres of National Forest land in Clay County.

General Information

Lake Chatuge was formed in 1942 when the Tennessee Valley Authority finished construction on a 2,950 foot earth filled dam across the Hiawassee River. Lake Chatuge is 7,200 acres large with 133 miles of shoreline. Lake Chatuge at full pool is 1,928 above seal level. There are three public boat ramps on the North Carolina side of Lake Chatuge, they are Jackrabbit Mountain Campground, Gibson Cove Campground and Ledford Chapel Wildlife Access Ramp. There are 32 species of fish that inhabit Lake Chatuge with small mouth bass, large mouth bass, spotted bass, sunfish and white bass predominating. Stripped bass and bass hybrids are stocked annually.

The highest elevation in Clay County is 5,249 feet above sea level at Tusquittee Bald and the lowest point is 1,900 feet above sea level.

The 1990 census was 7,155 but projected to grow 22% in the next few years.

Schools

Clay County Schools are a small rural system with 1,250 students attending Pre-K thru 12th grade. There are three schools located on one centrally located campus. Although small, the school system ranks in the top 5% in the reign and state in grades 9 to 12. Class size averages 23 to 25 students per class.

Places to see

The Old Jail Museum built in 1912 and is operate rated by the Clay County Historical and Arts Council. On display are pictures of Clay County and Hayesville taken in the 1920/30’s, while there go visit the resident moonshiner. A replica of Dr. Killan’s turn of the century office with many of his original medical implements are on display. Let the kids know “What going to the Doctor use to mean”.

The Clay County Courthouse is the center of Hayesville and was built in 1888. The Clay County Court House Square is the site of “Festival on the Square’, Trick or Treat”, annual Christmas Parade and Saturday’s Farmers Market.

Chunky Gal Mountain for a long range view looking down the Tusquittee Valley. Going toward Franklin on Highway 64 an overlook is available to take in the beauty of Clay County.

Fires Creek Wild life Management Area: Fires Creek Area has a natural water fall that can be seen from the banks of Fires Creek. Fires Creek is a natural and stocked Trout Stream for fishing and swimming, also available are picnicking, backpacking, camping, horseback riding, fishing, and in season hunting. It is one of the most beautiful areas in the mountains.

If you would like additional information call or email me and I’ll point you in the right direction.