Walasi-Yi Inn

Address: 12471 Gainesville Hwy, Blairsville, GA 30512

Description: One of Union County's NRHP listings and the only man-made structure along the Appalachian Trail

History: Originally a log cabin that belonged to the Wisconsin-based Pfister and Vogel Company, the building was eventually bought by the United States Forest Service and reconstructed to it's current rock form in the early 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps boys. To find the rocks to construct the building, the young men of the CCC ventured out into surrounding creeks and streams to collect the rocks. The structure of the building that overlaps the Appalachian Trail makes the building the only man-made structure that the famous trail goes through. From the early 1930's up until 1965, the building would serve as an inn and restaurant until it would eventually become abandoned for a short time before being acquired by an artist group that owned the building until 1969. During the mid-1970's the building was slated for demolition until a group of locals fought to keep it, which resulted in it's listing onto the National Register of Historical Places. After being saved, the building has since been owned by multiple owners for the use of a gift shop and hostel for hikers that are passing through. Today, the building is owned by Georganna Seamon who runs what is known today as "Mountain Crossings".

Fun Facts: 1. You can stay overnight in the historic building. 2. It is just 1 of 5 total locations listed on Union County's National Register of Historical Places. 3. The building is the only man-made structure in which you can walk through on the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. 4. Before rock was added to the building, the building served It's purpose as the "Vogel Tea Room", owned by the Pfister and Vogel Leather Company based out of Wisconsin. 5. The rocks and stones used on the building were collected and added to the building by the CCC Boys who found the rocks and stones in the nearby rivers and streams.