As late as the turn of the 19th Century, this was a wild and
dangerous land. In 1837, General Scott was ordered to round up
all the Native Americans in the area and forcibly move them to
the new "Indian Reservation" in Oklahoma (this was the infamous
"Trail of Tears"). The wild country to the west of the Little
Tennessee River was then considered Macon County. As the
European settlers moved in, Cherokee County was split off of
Macon County. Then, in 1861, Clay County was split off from
Cherokee County and named in honor of Henry Clay, a major figure
in 19th Century US history.
Western
North Carolina is part of the southern Appalachian Mountains.
Clay County has the Blue Mountains to the west and the
Tusquittee Mountains in the east.
The 20th Century saw the
gradual impoundments of about every useful river (mostly under
the cloak of the TVA) which, in Clay County, meant the Hiwassee
River. The major impoundment resulted in Chatuge Lake, now a
major tourist attraction.
Hayesville, at the north end of Chatuge Lake, is the county
seat and easily the largest community in the county.
(continued
in column 2) |
(continued
from column 1)
Brasstown
in the southwest corner of the county is known for its old-timey
handicrafts. Many, if not most, of the dwellings in the county
(which is primarily in the Nantahala National Forest, are
occupied by vacationers and retirees who have come here for the
peace and tranquility which is the hallmark of Clay County.
Asheville will probably be your launch point in your search for a
new home in this mountain paradise. In
WNC-Tour-Guide.com,
our sister web site, you
can let you computer mouse lead you to descriptions of the many
attractions and adventures Western North Carolina mountains have
to offer. Then via our directories of the real estate agencies
in each of our mountain counties, you can contact someone to
learn what may be available to meet your needs, desires and
budget. Or, fill out our simple form
and we will contact those agencies we feel may be best staffed
to assist you in your search. And, while you're looking, we have
included links to convenient, comfortable
hotels and motels any
of which would delight in being your host. And, yes, you can
make instant, on-line reservations and receive an immediate,
printed confirmation. |
