Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall, Shoals Travel Guide

The Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall, also known as Te-lah-nay's Wall or Tom's Wall, stands as a poignant tribute to Native American heritage in Florence, Alabama. Constructed by Tom Hendrix over 30 years, the mile-long wall honors his great-great-grandmother, Te-lah-nay, a Yuchi woman who was forcibly removed from her homeland during the Trail of Tears in the 1830s.Te-lah-nay's story is one of resilience and determination. After being relocated to Oklahoma, she longed for her home near the Tennessee River, which her tribe called the 'Singing River' because they believed a woman lived in its waters and sang to them. The rivers in Oklahoma were silent, so she embarked on a five-year journey back to her native lands. The wall represents her walk home, with its varying heights and widths symbolizing the challenges she faced.Tom Hendrix began building the wall after retiring, using approximately 8 million pounds of sandstone and limestone. Visitors come from all over the world, often bringing stones to add to the wall, creating a global tapestry of remembrance. The site includes a prayer circle for meditation and reflection. The wall is open to visitors daily from 8 AM to 4 PM.