Hayesville in Clay County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Clay County Heritage

Photographed by Mark Parker, May 10, 2025

1. Clay County Heritage Marker

Inscription.

Clay County Heritage. . , The Clay County Historical and Arts Council Museum occupies this brick building constructed in 1912 and used as the county jail until 1972. Its unique features include thick concrete walls, steel doors, and the actual jail cells that housed prisoners. The museum contains exhibits depicting the early life of the Cherokee. Other exhibits include a pioneer doctor's office, an authentic moonshine still and an early farmhouse kitchen., The beautiful Hiwassee River valley, located just northeast of Hayesville, was for many years home to hundreds of Cherokee. Spikebuck Town or Quanassee Village was located on rich Hiwassee River bottomland. A model of this village is displayed in the museum. The early inhabitants built a large earthen mound that was the ceremonial center for the town and was usednfor hundreds of years. Spikebuck mound is preserved and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It can be reached by a walking trail from this site., The picturesque Clay County Courthouse, located on the town square, was constructed in 1888. Throughout the years, in addition to civil activities, the large courtroom and the outside square area also served to bring the communities together to enjoy music. There were annual singing conventions, concerts by well-known musicians, and contests featuring individuals, groups, and choirs. These music events now take place in the town square. The courthouse structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975., (Captions) , Lira-Life-sized hand carved Cherokee basket weaver. , Barn loom over 150 years old was used by slaves. Photo by Carla Beck , Hiwassee River Valley for many years was home to hundreds of Cherokee. Photo by Ron Wallace , Music was a vital part of life centered the courthouse. Photo by Ron Wallace, (Footer) , The North Carolina mountains and foothills were designated the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area in recognition of their natural beauty and living traditions of music, craft agriculture, and Cherokee culture. This location is part of a regional trail of distinctive heritage sites. Ask for information at area visitor centers. More Information online at: www.blueridgeheritage.com

The Clay County Historical and Arts Council Museum occupies this brick building constructed in 1912 and used as the county jail until 1972. Its unique features include thick concrete walls, steel doors, and the actual jail cells that housed prisoners. The museum contains exhibits depicting the early life of the Cherokee. Other exhibits include a pioneer doctor's office, an authentic moonshine still and an early farmhouse kitchen.

The beautiful Hiwassee River valley, located just northeast of Hayesville, was for many years home to hundreds of Cherokee. Spikebuck Town or Quanassee Village was located on rich Hiwassee River bottomland. A model of this village is displayed in the museum. The early inhabitants built a large earthen mound that was the ceremonial center for the town and was usednfor hundreds of years. Spikebuck mound is preserved and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It can be reached by a walking trail from this site.

The picturesque Clay County Courthouse, located on the town square, was constructed in 1888. Throughout the years, in addition to civil activities, the large courtroom

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and the outside square area also served to bring the communities together to enjoy music. There were annual singing conventions, concerts by well-known musicians, and contests featuring individuals, groups, and choirs. These music events now take place in the town square. The courthouse structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

(Captions)
Lira-Life-sized hand carved Cherokee basket weaver.
Barn loom over 150 years old was used by slaves. Photo by Carla Beck
Hiwassee River Valley for many years was home to hundreds of Cherokee. Photo by Ron Wallace
Music was a vital part of life centered the courthouse. Photo by Ron Wallace

(Footer)
The North Carolina mountains and foothills were designated the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area in recognition of their natural beauty and living traditions of music, craft agriculture, and Cherokee culture. This location is part of a regional trail of distinctive heritage sites. Ask for information at area visitor centers. More Information online at: www.blueridgeheritage.com

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment •

Clay County Heritage Marker at the entrance to Cherokee Homestead Exhibit/ Hayesville Heritage Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, May 10, 2025

2. Clay County Heritage Marker at the entrance to Cherokee Homestead Exhibit/ Hayesville Heritage Park

Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.

Location. 35° 2.656′ N, 83° 49.151′ W. Marker is in Hayesville, North Carolina, in Clay County. It is on Business U.S. 64 south of Davis Loop, on the right when traveling south. The marker is near the entrance to the Cherokee Homestead Exhibit/ Hayesville Heritage Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 805 US 64 Business, Hayesville NC 28904, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Mountains. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

Clay County Historical & Arts Council Museum overlooking the Cherokee Homestead Exhibit image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, May 10, 2025

3. Clay County Historical & Arts Council Museum overlooking the Cherokee Homestead Exhibit

distance of this marker: Cherokee Communities of the Upper Hiwassee River Valley (here, next to this marker); Cherokee Winter House (a few steps from this marker); Cherokee Culture (a few steps from this marker); Cherokee Summer House / Corn Cribs / Dugout Canoe (within shouting distance of this marker); Three Sisters Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Hayesville City Hall Rehabilitated As Small Classroom (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory Our War Dead (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Hembree (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hayesville.

Historic Clay County Courthouse, referenced in the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, May 10, 2025

4. Historic Clay County Courthouse, referenced in the marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 12, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 154 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 12, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.