Hayesville, a small town with a big heart.
Readers Digest Nicest Place in America 2017 4th Place
Click here and read why.
Hayesville offers respite for many, surrounded by peaceful, breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Lake Chatuge.
Singer-songwriter Jordan Miller of Nashville, TN was moved to compose his song "Hayesville", the music use license for which, has been sponsored for a year by
Listen and enjoy!
Contact Mayor Joe Slaton at (828) 389-1862
for details of downtown opportunities.
This is the 8th year of the Small Town Main Street program in Hayesville and grant opportunities are helping to sustain the work plans but additional donations are needed. Historic Hayesville Inc. is a 501c3 non profit corporation and administrator of the Hayesville Small Town Main Street program. See below to make a financial donation to HHI. See individual project descriptions for more details and how contributions for a specific project can be made.
As a Main Street America Affiliate™, Historic Hayesville Inc. is part of a national network of more than
1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.
Main Street America™ | NC Main Street | NC Main Street Conference
Nationally Recognized. Locally Powered. ™
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper visited Hayesville April 11th, 2019. He strongly supports the Small Town Main Street program. His proposed budget includes a listing in the Local Identified Projects section for a possible grant for the renovation of the historic brick building at the corner of Main and Herbert Streets into a boutique hotel.
He met with representatives of town and county government as well as local coalition and community leaders at Nocturnal Brewing, a 1950s building that was renovated through the Main Street Solutions Fund.
After the meeting, Mayor Harry Baughn led the governor to the courthouse lawn where he greeted locals before heading inside for a tour of the restored courthouse.
HHI Board Chair Sandy Zimmerman presented Gov. Cooper with a notebook featuring projects that were completed in 2017-2018 and future restoration plans for downtown buildings including the boutique hotel at the corner of Herbert Street and Main Street.Sherry Adams, Western Coordinator for the NC Small Town Main Street Program, et al., came to Hayesville for the Annual Regional Meeting and were the VERY FIRST gathering and subsequent tour group of the newly restored Historic Hayesville Courthouse on the square on Friday, July 20, 2018. After the meeting and tour, attendees enjoyed lunch at a new downtown restaurant and a guided downtown “walkabout” to see all that our HHI/STMS program has achieved and is planning. Many enjoyed the Friday Night Concert on the Square and the official opening of the Courthouse celebration on Saturday.
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Setting up breakfast for meeting attendees.
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Breakfast is ready for everyone to enjoy.
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Setting up screens so attendees can view the HHI/STMS Hayesville website
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Mayor Baughn welcoming meeting attendees.
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CCCRA representatives welcome HHI/STMS guests.
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Annual Meeting in Session
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Sherry Adams, Western Coordinator of NC STMS Program is delighted with Hayesville report.
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Historic Courthouse Gift Shop open for business.
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STMS attendees explore the renovated courthouse court.
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Bob Hanson explains that everything original that could be used -- was.
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Participants gathered on the Courthouse steps after touring the building.
Committee work plans
Pedestrian connectivity is in the STMS work plan.
Promotions Committee is working on new banners, way finding signs. The downtown map featuring businesses, art, history and cultural locations accessible by walking or bicycle trails has been completed and is in its fourth printing.
Economic Vitality group plans include promoting Small Business Saturday, recruiting new businesses and providing additional support to those already established in downtown.
Economic Vitality group volunteers will join the Design Committee this year to continue working with Mayor Baughn for safety and improved parking.
New recycle and waste bins have been a current project of the Design Committee. 9 sets have been placed inside and around the square leaving 1 set available. Plaque recognition will be given to organizations or individuals who make donations to Historic Hayesville Inc. for at least one bin.
A new project of the Design Committee, with help from HHI and FOHH (Friends of Historic Hayesville) volunteers and beginning in June 2019, will be the rehabilitation of the old Town Hall. Learn more about the project here.
Committees make plans!
Typical committee meeting consisting of volunteers making plans in Hayesville for various downtown projects that benefit everyone. 
Volunteers make them happen!
Two happy Hayesville volunteers that have shucked what seems like bushels of local grown corn for sale at a fund raising event on the square. 
Friends of Historic Hayesville volunteers promoted events and summer flowers at the annual Small Town Main Street/HHI picnic on the square. 
Job well done!
Please support our efforts, consider a donation.
References: Information on this page and throughout the site is drawn from sources in the public domain or covered by the fair use doctrine unless otherwise stated.
Photographs are courtesy of Ron Wallace, Stephan Banakas, bobbystuff.com, Clay County Progress, partnership organizations and others. Art work is courtesy of Signs Fast Inc..