Background

Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall: A Testament to Remembrance

A mile-long tribute to Native American heritage, the Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall honors a Yuchi woman's journey home after the Trail of Tears.

4.9

The Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall in Florence, Alabama, is the largest unmortared wall in the U.S., built by Tom Hendrix to honor his great-great-grandmother, Te-lah-nay, of the Yuchi tribe. The wall symbolizes her arduous journey home after being displaced during the Trail of Tears.

A brief summary to Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall

  • 13890 Lauderdale County 8, Florence, Alabama, 35633, US
  • Visit website
  • Monday 8 am-4 pm
  • Tuesday 8 am-4 pm
  • Wednesday 8 am-4 pm
  • Thursday 8 am-4 pm
  • Friday 8 am-4 pm
  • Saturday 8 am-4 pm
  • Sunday 8 am-4 pm

Local tips

  • Visit during the cooler months for a more comfortable experience, as Alabama summers can be hot and humid.
  • Take time to reflect and meditate in the prayer circle for a deeper connection to the site's history and meaning.
  • Consider bringing a stone to add to the wall as a personal tribute.
widget icon

Getting There

  • Driving

    The Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall is located a few miles east of the Natchez Trace Parkway. From Florence, take AL-133 S/County Rd 8. The wall is located at 13890 Lauderdale County 8, Florence, AL 35633. Parking is available across the road from the wall in a field. There are no fees for visiting the wall.

Unlock the Best of Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall

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.

Popular Experiences near Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall

Popular Hotels near Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall

Select Currency