Clay County Continues to Attract Archeologists

Professor Jane Eastman and archeology students from Western Carolina University have begun excavating several areas of Cherokee settlement on Lynn Waldroup’s property near the Clay County recreation center. The project follows a similar excavation conducted in the same general area last year. A grant from the Clay County Communities Revitalization Association (CCCRA) pays the cost of transportation for the archeology students to commute from their campus in Cullowee. Over time, Clay County’s Cherokee heritage is likely to attract tourists to the area and boost the local economy. The current excavation will last four weeks.

The site being excavated this year includes the remnants of a settlement likely dating from the 13th century before Columbus opened the Western hemisphere to European exploration. One exciting discovery at the site already this year is a small, turquoise-colored glass bead. Native Americans used glass beads manufactured in Europe in trading. Venice, Italy, was an important glass blowing center, and it is possible that this bead comes from there.

The current excavation has also uncovered a subterranean pit that held charcoal. The team is looking for good charcoal samples and traces of organic food. These items can allow radio carbon dating to establish the precise period of human habitation.

Jane Eastman, the leader of the project, is an associate professor at Western Carolina University and the director of the archeology lab and the Cherokee studies program.

The turquoise colored bead found at the site

Hayesville's Cherokee Village Gets a Cherokee Garden

May 6, 2010 Kevin Welch, a member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, demonstrated how to make a Cherokee "three sisters' garden to a group of Hayesville residents. The "sisters" are corn, beans, and squash, which have a simbiotic relationship in traditional cherokee gardens. Several Clay County Master Gardeners then planted such a garden at Hayesville's Cherokee village, which is near the town square. The Clay County Communities Revitalization Association (CCCRA) is a sponsor of the village project, which is expected to attract tourists to Clay County.

Survey Results In (to be deleted)

December 7, 2009: Here are the results of CCCRA's membership survey: You considered our big projects--courthouse restoration, the Heritage Park, continuing beautification, the Jack Rabbit biking and hiking trail—of major importance, and you thought they were done well. The array of events including Concerts in the Park, the Car-B-Que, Family Fun Fest got high marks. We enjoy a reputation for good governance in fulfilling our mission, use of volunteer time, and financial stewardship.

Another conclusion is that we need to increase the diversity of our membership, to recruit more members, and to access the talents of more of our current members. Importantly, most of you gave economic development issues here in Clay County a high priority

Work Continues on Cherokee Summer House

November 22, 2009. Local volunteers worked with students from Dr. Jane Eastman's archeology and bioanthropology class at Western Carolina University to construct the walls of the Cherokee summer house adjacent to the Hayesville town square. Clay County Communities Revitalization Association and the Clay County Historic and Arts Council supplied the local volunteers.


Locust poles support the roof of the summer house





Volunteers strip the leaves from cane that will be woven among the wall posts to create walls for the summer house. Volunteers include Ella Scheuer and Drew Holzemer of Atlanta, Hal Farren of the Historic and Arts Council, Amanda Grippe from Dr. Eastman's class, and John Adkins of CCCRA.

Barbara Bussolari of the Historic and Arts Council, Kevin Welch of Western Carolina University join Drew Holzemer of Atlanta, Amanda Grippe of Western Carolina University and John Adkins of CCCRA in stripping cane.

Ella Scheuer of Atlanta and Hal Farren of the Historic and Arts Council strip cane.

Brittany Starnes and Sarah Jane Jacobs of Western Carolina University cut leather that will be used to hold the cane in place after it has been woven to create the summer house's walls.


Dr. Jane Eastman, Eric Crowe, and Casey Edwards of Western Carolina University weave cane.



Dr. Jane Eastman, Tina Crowe, and Eric Crowe of Western Carolina University weave cane.


Eric Crowe, Tina Crowe, and Casey Edwards weave cane.

Interior Views of the Completed Winter House

The interior of the completed Cherokee winter house

The smoke hole at the top of the Cherokee winter house


Another view of the smoke hole of the winter house

Bike Ride Fills Jackrabbit Parking Lot

November 7, 2009. Glorious weather brought out dozens of bike riders to the Jackrabbit parking lot next to the Jackrabbit off-road biking trail. Most riders were members of the Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association (SABA) and the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA). Clay County Communities Revitalization Association provided much of the funding for construction of the parking lot and trail. These facilities have attracted hundreds of visitors to Clay County. Such visitors provide an important boost to the local economy.

Heritage Park Cherokee Houses Nearing Completion

On Saturday, October 24, Clay County Communities Revitalization Association volunteers worked to finish the Cherokee winter house and to strip cane for the roof of the Cherokee summer house at Hayesville's Heritage Park:







John Humphrey and Gordon Ottinger stir mud to be used to fill in the cracks on the Cherokee winter house. Rob Tiger fills the cracks in the walls of the house. The mud coats honeysuckle vines woven around the posts that support the roof.

David Lang, Sandy Nichols, Fanny Watson, and Pam Nichols strip leaves off of cane that will be used for the roof of the Cherokee summer house.

The frame of the Cherokee summer house next to the soon-to-be completed Cherokee winter house.

Family Fun Fest Provided Entertainment at the Square

Games, prizes, live entertainment, Pet Parade, free popcorn and delicious food were enjoyed by several hundred people who attended the Family Fun Fest coordinated by the Clay County Communities Revitalization Association on Saturday August 8. The Square was alive with 56 enthusiastic pets and their owners who performed for the public at the Pet Parade hosted by Carolyn Molder, owner of HeadStart Obedience School.


Many budding artists enjoyed creating their own works of art at the art pavilion.



Hula hoop jump rope and limbo contests were a hit.



Local youths provided entertainment

Children and adults went home smiling after winning prizes at the free games, which included Ring the Prize, Hit the Bottle, Moon Pie Walk, Lucky Duck, Fish, Balloon Stomp, Ladder Golf, and Bucket Toss. Competition was keen during the Hoola Hoop, Jump Rope, Limbo and Water Balloon Toss contests. The children enjoyed having their faces painted and creating their own works of art at the Art Pavilion. The public was entertained by local youth including Kyle Moss, Tiny Tarts, Sweet Tarts, Brett Walker, Singing Starts for a Better World, and In Motion.

CCCRA thanks the following sponsors who made this event possible: Computer Connections and Bank of Hiawassee. Sponsors of the games, activities and services included United Community Bank, All Tucked In, Katie Bugs, Proflame, Hendrix & Hendrix, Bowar & Associates, Inc., Parker Law Firm, Molly & Me, Tri-County Office Supply, Ingles, Hayesville Printing, Take A Break Portables, Blue Ridge Mountain EMC, Cinquapins, The Rustic Rose, Signs Fast, The Market, Cinquapins, Hayesville Elementary School, Art Works, McDonalds, Nantahala Bank, Fun World and Clay County Progress.

Look forward to another Family Fun Fest next August where more games, prizes and fun-filled activities will be on tap for all ages.

Photos from the Car-B-Que

The annual Car-B-Que held on the Hayesville Town Square is a popular event in Clay County. It was held this year on June 13.

We hope you enjoy the pictures in this little gallery.


Joanna Atkisson, CCCRA board member




Tighe White and his grandson