Hiawassee

History

Hiawassee was established along the route of the Unicoi Turnpike, a 1,000-year-old Native American trail. In the early 18th century, deerskins and furs were transported along the route from Tennessee to Savannah and Charleston for shipping to Europe. Hiawassee was originally inhabited by predominantly Cherokee peoples. The name of Hiawassee was originally derived from the Native American word ayuhwasi, meaning river and/or valley. A United States fur trade factory was built in present-day Hiawassee between 1807 and 1811. The area now known as Hiawassee was originally inhabited by Cherokee communities. European-American settlers arrived in the early 19th century, following the forced removal of the Cherokee in the 1830s. Hiawassee became the county seat of the newly formed Towns County in 1856, was incorporated as a town in 1870, and later as a city in 1916. The historic Towns County Jail was built in downtown Hiawassee around 1935. The two-story rock building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. President Jimmy Carter visited Hiawassee in July 1980, landing by helicopter to go trout fishing with friends. The Berrong-Oakley House, one of the oldest remaining homes in Hiawassee, was purchased by the city in 2023. The home, built in 1905, is being renovated for use as a cultural resource and events center.

Geography

Hiawassee is located on the Hiwassee River at (34.949428, -83.755078). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, is land and is water. Hiawassee is approximately 1969 feet (600 meter) above sea level.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Towns County Elementary School
  Elementary · Hiawassee · 500 students · 11.6:1 ratio
• Towns County High School
  High · Hiawassee · 296 students · 11.8:1 ratio
• Towns County Middle School
  Middle · Hiawassee · 206 students · 9.8:1 ratio