Welcome to Clay County

NOTE: The Telephone AREA CODE for Clay County is 828
The first 3 digits of the postal 'ZIP code' are 289

Clay County Overview

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.

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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. 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.

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Welcome to Clay County

Clay County Overview

Clay County Map

Clay County Directory