Walasi-Yi Interpretive Center

The Walasi-Yi Interpretive Center is a small stone building located along US 19/129 at Neels Gap, Georgia, United States, on the eastern side of Blood Mountain. It is notable as the only place where the 2,175-mile-long Appalachian Trail passes through a man-made structure. It is currently the first mail-drop available to northbound thru-hikers that does not require one to leave the trail.

Walasi-Yi Interpretive Center
Walasi-Yi Interpretive Center is located in Georgia
Walasi-Yi Interpretive Center
Walasi-Yi Interpretive Center is located in the United States
Walasi-Yi Interpretive Center
LocationBlairsville, Union County, Georgia
Coordinates34.73529°N 83.91770°W / 34.73529; -83.91770
Built1930's
NRHP reference No.79000749
Added to NRHP1979[1]

History

Originally a log structure built by a logging company, the building took its present form during the 1930s when it was rebuilt by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). It served as a restaurant and inn until 1965, when it was abandoned. Soon after, the building was rented by an artist group who used it until 1969 when it was again left vacant.

Appalachian Trail passing through the breezeway

By the mid-1970s the building was slated for demolition, but a group of conservation-minded locals lobbied successfully for its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Spared from destruction, the building served as an irregular store to hikers and tourists until 1983 when Jeff and Dorothy Hansen took over management of what became known as Mountain Crossings at Walasi-Yi.

In the 1990s, the store was operated by Peggy and Justin. Famous travel book author Bill Bryson visited the store for his book “A Walk in the Woods“. The building was then leased and operated by Winton Porter from 2001 to 2013.[2] Porter wrote a book about his experiences and the unusual events and characters he saw there called Just Passin' Through (2009). It is currently operated by Logan and Georganna Seamon.[3]

Currently, in addition to the outfitter the Walasi-Yi center offers a hostel. The bunks in the hostel are at a premium in early spring when the vast majority of northbound thru-hikers are traveling through northern Georgia.[4]

References
  1. NRHP Annual Listing of Historic Places. National Register of Historic Places. 18 March 1980. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  2. Donahue, Bill (November 1, 2010). "The Smartest Businessman on the Appalachian Trail". Inc. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  3. Wallace, Eric (April 2014). "The Only Roof Over The A.T.: Mountain Crossings, Winton Porter, and the next chapter". [www.blueridgeoutdoors.com Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine]. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  4. Emerson, Bo (April 17, 2010). "Mountain Crossings a hikers' paradise". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Cox Media Group. Retrieved April 11, 2014.

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