Hiawassee

Hiawassee is a mountain municipality in northern Georgia sitting at roughly 600 meters elevation. The town sits beside Lake Chatuge, a body of water that defines its landscape and provides a natural boundary to the settlement.

The town began between 1807 and 1811 as a United States fur trade factory in the region. In 1856 it became the county seat, marking a shift toward its role as a local administrative center.

The name comes from the Cherokee word Ayuhwasi, meaning meadow, and reflects the Native American heritage of this mountain area. This connection to the region's original inhabitants is woven into how locals understand their home.

The town provides access to hiking trails, fishing spots, and water recreation at the lake throughout the year. Visitors should be prepared for mountain weather that changes with the seasons and affects water and trail conditions.

The Towns County Jail from 1935 still stands in downtown and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building offers a glimpse into the construction styles of the 1930s in this mountain region.