Starting at the Chamber of Commerce (388 Hwy 64 Business) turn right from the parking area and proceed around the circle. As you follow around the circle you can see the "Best L’il Corner Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor" and their popular antique museum. The first right is "Yellow Jacket Drive" which takes you to the Clay County Schools seen on your left.
Going half way around the circle will take you towards our town square and on your left you will see the Old Jail Museum, built in 1912. The Clay County Historical and Arts Council operates the museum from Spring to Autumn. The museum features the Dr. Killian exhibit, old jail cells, an extensive collection of photographs taken in Clay County in the 1920’s and 1930’s and much more. Be sure to venture down the exterior stairway to the Cherokee Homestead Outdoor Exhibit.
The Historic Courthouse Square is located one block from the museum at the stop sign. The Historic Clay County Courthouse, built in 1888, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Turn right onto Hiawassee Street and proceed left around the Square. (One way traffic). The Square is the site for several community events throughout the year including the Festival on the Square, Trick-or-Treat on the Square, Car-B-Que, Hayesville Evening Market, Summer Concerts and Saturday Farmers Market. More information
Just off the Square, on Anderson Street, next to the Post Office is the Hayesville Centennial Exhibit where you can spend hours reading about our County's history and look at a large selection of old pictures. You can also go down Church street and follow signs to visit the Peacock Performing Arts Center (one of our 2 Theaters in Hayesville, the other is the Licklog Theater on Creekside Circle off Hwy 69). Exiting the Square, turn right on Main Street. Down the hill at the stop sign (Tusquittee Rd.) the Moss Memorial Library will be on your right. Turn left on Tusquittee Street and about .5 miles is the Tom Day Bridge over the Hiwassee River. Clay county is in the Hiawassee River Watershed, meaning that all the water flows off the mountains and into the Hiawassee (or Hiwassee). This is a Cherokee word meaning savannah.
Over the bridge on the right at the corner of Jarrett Rd & Tusquittee Street is the site of the Peavine Railroad that linked Hayesville with the town of Andrews in Cherokee County. The railroad was completed in 1920, and saw declining use until 1951, when the rails were removed and sold.
From here, continue to TUSQUITTEE LOOP
Follow Tusquittee Street for 2.4 miles to the Moss Memorial Baptist Church. The fieldstone church is about 50 years old.
About half a mile from the church is Downings Creek Road (NOTE: This is the street where the cabin is located.) Scenic drive continues straight ahead, following Tusquittee. Taking this road will lead to US Hwy 64, east of Hayesville.
Continuing down Tusquittee Street for .6 of a mile leads to the Col. William Moore House on the left. The two story white farm house was built in the 1860’s and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Col. was the son of John C. Moore, the first white settler in Clay County. The family operated a farm and store on this site for generations.
At Tusquittee Landings, about one block from the Moore house, pilots and their families live in homes adjacent to a small airport. It is not unusual to see a plane in a back yard or coming in for a landing as you drive by.
At the intersection of Tusquittee and Cold Branch Road (approximately .6 mile from the airport) Matlock Creek flows from the left into Tusquittee Creek. The first gold found in Clay County is rumored to have been found here. Turn right onto Cold Branch Road.
At the bridge, you will cross Tusquittee Creek. The state has designated the creek as a trout stream with high quality water.
Stay on Cold Branch for 3.4 miles and on the right you will pass the Ridges Golf Course.
Continue .5 miles to the intersection of Cold Branch Road & US 64 East.
From here continue the SHOOTING CREEK LOOP.
SHOOTING CREEK LOOP Beginning at the stop sign at the intersection of Cold Branch Road and US 64, make a left, continue west and at Cedar Cliff Road you will see the “Eagle Fork Vineyards” wine tasting room. Continue on for about a mile to East Vineyard Road and the Shooting Creek community and make a right.
If you continue straight on US 64 up to Chunky Gal Mountain you can stop at the scenic overlook about 3 miles on the left. WATCH FOR SIGNS! From the overlook you will exit, turn to the right onto US 64 and return down the mountain to East Vineyard, making a left to continue the loop.)
The Shooting Creek area was the site of a Cherokee village, and is named for the rushing force of the creek. Continuing on East Vineyard to Old Hwy 64 and make a right, enjoy the beautiful views as you drive. Lake Chatuge will become visible on the left hand side in about 4.8 miles. Coming up to your left will be the High Bridge on Hwy 175.
By making a left over the High Bridge on to 175, visitors can travel 2.5 miles and turn off at the Jack Rabbit Mountain Recreation Area. At the sign, the park entrance is one mile. The park features camping, a picnic and beach area, as well as nature trails for hikers and bikers.
After visiting the recreation area, exit making a left, and return to cross over the High Bridge. Make a left at the stop sign on Old 64 and continue to the intersection of US Highway 64.
From here continue the LAKE CHATUGE LOOP
LAKE CHATUGE LOOP
At the intersection of Old 64 and US Hwy 64 turn left and head west, towards Hayesville. Lake Chatuge is located on the left hand side. A roadside stopping area is located on the left side of the highway.
Continue west on US 64 until you come to the first stop light. This is Meyers Chapel Road. Make a left and continue .4 of a mile to the fork. Bear left on the Chatuge Dam Road. The top of the dam is a popular place to walk and measures 1.2 miles across. Enjoy the beautiful views of the blue lake and the greenery. The scenery gives you a great photo opportunity.
Return to Meyers Chapel Road, make a left and continue 1.5 miles to the Clay County Recreation Park. The entrance to the park will be on the left. The park features camp sites, a beach, picnic area and a play ground.
Continue on Meyers Chapel Road. A half mile from the park is the location of Meyers Chapel, on the left.
Chatuge Shores Golf Course is open to the public and is on the left approximately .3 of a mile from the chapel. You can drive in to the parking area and tour the facilities.
Exit the golf course, make a left and continue to the stop sign at the intersection of Meyers Chapel Road and NC 69.
WARNE-BRASSTOWN LOOP From the stop sign at the intersection of Meyers Chapel Road and NC 69 make a right. Continue to the traffic light at US 64. Make a left at this light. Continue .7 of a mile and make a left turn on to Old US 64, toward Warne.
The community of Warne is located about 4.5 miles on Old 64. There are many farms and meadows along the way. You can see a chapel high on the left. The road curves sharply to the right and passes Hogsed’s Store. Driving 2.6 miles from Warne is the Ogden School, a brick building on the left, that was the third consolidated school built in Clay County, completed in 1926.
Continuing on Old 64 from the school, in 2.6 miles you will reach “The Creamery”. Dairy farming was a big industry and farmers brought their fresh milk to be processed here. The building was built in the early 1930’s. The building has been renovated and houses the Brasstown Creek Artists Collective, a fine arts and crafts gallery, and showcases local and regional works, summer art camp for children, and artist workshops and classes.
From The Creamery continue .9 of a mile on Old 64 toward Brasstown and pass Settawig Road. Here, you will find Arts & Crafts shops, Artist Galleries, Massage, Antiques, Farmer’s Markets, and more. If you continue to the old gas station you will be at Clay’s Corner, famous for the New Year’s Eve ‘Possum Drop. The John C. Campbell Folk School is just across the bridge.
When leaving Brasstown return to Settawig Road and turn left. At .3 of a mile is the site of the slave quarters and kitchen for the Harshaw plantation, one of the largest plantations in the area. Farther down the road, at Payne's field and air strip, 811 Settawig Rd., is the venue for the annual Punkin’ Chunkin’ Festival held here every October. You'll see airplane hangars. Plane rides are available during the event. Check the www.ncmtnchamber.com for other events also planned at this location.
Continue on Settawig to the stop sign on Hwy 64.
FIRES CREEK LOOP
The community of Warne is located about 4.5 miles on Old 64. There are many farms and meadows along the way. You can see a chapel high on the left. The road curves sharply to the right and passes Hogsed’s Store. Driving 2.6 miles from Warne is the Ogden School, a brick building on the left, that was the third consolidated school built in Clay County, completed in 1926.
Continuing on Old 64 from the school, in 2.6 miles you will reach “The Creamery”. Dairy farming was a big industry and farmers brought their fresh milk to be processed here. The building was built in the early 1930’s. The building has been renovated and houses the Brasstown Creek Artists Collective, a fine arts and crafts gallery, and showcases local and regional works, summer art camp for children, and artist workshops and classes.
From The Creamery continue .9 of a mile on Old 64 toward Brasstown and pass Settawig Road. Here, you will find Arts & Crafts shops, Artist Galleries, Massage, Antiques, Farmer’s Markets, and more. If you continue to the old gas station you will be at Clay’s Corner, famous for the New Year’s Eve ‘Possum Drop. The John C. Campbell Folk School is just across the bridge.
When leaving Brasstown return to Settawig Road and turn left. At .3 of a mile is the site of the slave quarters and kitchen for the Harshaw plantation, one of the largest plantations in the area. Farther down the road, at Payne's field and air strip, 811 Settawig Rd., is the venue for the annual Punkin’ Chunkin’ Festival held here every October. You'll see airplane hangars. Plane rides are available during the event. Check the www.ncmtnchamber.com for other events also planned at this location.
Continue on Settawig to the stop sign on Hwy 64.
FIRES CREEK LOOP
From the intersection of Settawig Road and US Hwy 64 turn right and drive 1.4 miles to Fires Creek Road. Hill’s Gas Station in on the corner. Make a left onto Fires Creek Road. In 3.8 miles you will find the entrance to the Fires Creek Recreation Area on your left. The picnic area and hiking trails are located 1.8 miles from the main road. It features paved and unpaved trails, waterfalls, primitive and horse camping areas.
If exiting from visiting the recreation area, turn left, otherwise, continue on Fires Creek Road as it meanders through the countryside following alongside the Hiawassee River.
Reaching the stop sign at the intersection of Fires Creek Road and Tusquittee Street, make a right. Continue past the Moss Memorial Library to the stop sign and make a left to follow the road to the Veterans Recreational Park, located on the site of a seventeenth century Native American town.
If you turn right at the Library instead, you can visit the Town of Hayesville Centennial Exhibit.)
If you turn right at the Library instead, you can visit the Town of Hayesville Centennial Exhibit.)
Drive through and pass the ball fields and at the rear parking lot you will be able to tour the newly expanded Clay County Indoor Recreational Facility offering exercise equipment, basketball, courts, etc.
You can take a short walk from the parking area past the last Ball field and over a small bridge to “Spike Buck Mound”, the original site of the Quanassee Indian Village during the 1500's & 1600's.
Upon leaving the park, turn left and follow the road to the traffic light at the intersection of US Hwy 64. Make a right there and make your 2nd right and it will take you back to the Clay County Chamber of Commerce office.
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