 In the early nineteenth century European settlers began moving into the Chatata region in anticipation of the forced removal of the Cherokee, and in 1821, the Indian Agency, the official liaison between the U.S. government and the Cherokee Nation, was established in present day Charleston on the Hiwassee River in northern Bradley County.The Chatata region played a significant role during the Cherokee removal, with operations headquartered at Fort Cass in Charleston and several internment camps located in the region, with one of the largest at Rattlesnake Springs.After Bradley County was created by the Tennessee General Assembly in 1836, county governmental activities were held in Chatata Valley until the county seat of Cleveland was established in 1842.