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Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall: A Testament to Resilience

Discover the inspiring story of Te-lah-nay at the Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall, a unique monument honoring Native American heritage and resilience.

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The Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall, also known as Te-lah-nay's Wall, is the largest unmortared wall in the United States, located near Florence, Alabama. Built by Tom Hendrix over 30 years, it honors his great-great-grandmother, Te-lah-nay, a Yuchi woman who walked back to her homeland after being forcibly removed during the Trail of Tears. The wall stands as a symbol of remembrance, resilience, and the enduring connection between people and the land.

A brief summary to Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall

  • 13890 Lauderdale County 8, Florence, Alabama, 35633, US
  • Visit website

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes for walking along the uneven paths of the wall.
  • Bring a stone to add to the wall as a personal tribute or remembrance.
  • Visit during the cooler months for a more comfortable experience, as Alabama summers can be hot and humid.
  • Take your time to explore the wall and reflect on the history and stories it represents.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    The Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall is located a few miles off the Natchez Trace Parkway. From Florence, Alabama, head northwest on Alabama 20 and turn north onto the Natchez Trace Parkway. Take the Lauderdale County 8 exit and turn right. The wall is at the intersection of County Road 8 and the Natchez Trace Parkway. There is no admission fee. Parking is available on-site.

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Discover more about Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall

The Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall is a profound and moving monument located just outside Florence, Alabama. Stretching for approximately a mile through a serene hardwood grove, this remarkable structure is the largest unmortared wall in the United States. The wall is the creation of Tom Hendrix, who dedicated over 30 years of his life to building it in honor of his great-great-grandmother, Te-lah-nay. Te-lah-nay was a member of the Yuchi tribe, native to the area along the Tennessee River, which her people called the Singing River. In the 1830s, she and her sister were forcibly removed from their homeland and relocated to Oklahoma as part of the tragic Trail of Tears. While her sister chose to remain in the west, Te-lah-nay yearned for her home and the familiar songs of the river. Driven by this longing, she embarked on a remarkable five-year journey, walking nearly 600 miles back to her native Alabama. Inspired by his great-great-grandmother's incredible story of resilience and a recurring dream, Tom Hendrix began constructing the wall in the 1980s. Each stone in the wall represents a step Te-lah-nay took on her arduous journey, with the wall's varying height and width symbolizing the obstacles and challenges she faced. The dry-stacked limestone and sandstone edifice rises head-high in some places and descends to waist-level in others, creating a dynamic and engaging landscape. The wall incorporates prayer circles and meditation spaces, inviting visitors to reflect and connect with the history it embodies. Visitors have also contributed stones from over a hundred countries, each carrying its own story and significance. The site is open to the public every day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tom Hendrix passed away in 2017, but his legacy lives on through the Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall. His family continues to care for the wall, ensuring that it remains a place of honor and remembrance for generations to come.

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