The region was originally settled in the 16th century by Cherokee Indians. It served as a trading center between South Carolina and the Cherokee communities in Tennessee. Hayesville occupies the site of the former Cherokee town of Quanassee, which lay along the Trading Path (also called the "Unicoi Turnpike").
The road led from Hayesville west to Murphy, North Carolina, then over the Unicoi Range at Unicoi Gap and down to the Cherokee town of Great Tellico (today Tellico Plains, Tennessee). A raid by Creek warriors in 1725 destroyed the community and left the area desolate until Baptist Missionaries returned in the early 19th century to preach. The Cherokee influence is still obvious today in the names of local landmarks such as Spikebuck Mound, Settawig Road, Jackrabbit Recreation Area and the Tusquittee Mountains.

Clay County was formed in 1861 from parts of Macon and Cherokee counties and was named for Henry Clay, the respected Kentucky Legislator. The italiante revival style Clay County Courthouse in Hayesville Square - 4 1/2 miles from the property - was completed in 1888 and was listed on the national register of historic places in 1975. The town of Hayesville was incorporated in 1913 and named for the legislator responsible for its creation, George Hayes.

In 1941, the poor agricultural area was transformed to a popular mountain retreat destination primarily due to the Tennessee Valley Authority's construction of the Chatuge Dam. Used to generate electricity and named after a Cherokee settlement, the Chatuge Dam controls the Hiawassee River and creates the 7,000 acre Lake Chatuge and its 133 miles of shoreline.

At 1,924 feet above sea level, the lake offers recreation opportunities including boating, fishing and sailing. With 32 species of fish to target, children's parks, recreation areas, marinas, and boat ramps, the lake is ideal for year round activity.