The history of this exceptional land reaches back across time to the days when the Creek and Cherokee called it home. The beauty of their language and the abiding respect for the land has left a mark that time will not erase. From the names of our towns and streets to the historic trail trees hidden in our forests, the Native American influence is felt to this very day. The areas gently moving rivers, mountain landscapes and trade routes have defined the region for centuries drawing European settlers in search of gold and a better way of life.