Wayah Bald Lookout

Located right along the Appalachian Trail is Wayah Bald, built by the CCC in the 1930s. Wayah Bald has views of the entire Nantahala National Forest and distant views to the Great Smoky, Unicoi, and Great Balsam mountain ranges.

In 1926, there was a 25-foot wooden tower and a frame shack living quarters.

In 1936, the wooden tower was razed. In its place was a new 43 feet high (or 53) observatory made of native stones to harmonize with the surroundings. Plans were drawn by government engineers. It was three stories high, with a lobby and restrooms on the first floor. The second floor will be used as an observatory for the public. It will be encased in glass windows and surrounded by a balcony. The top floor will be a fire observatory to be used by the warden only. It will be equipped with instruments for finding the exact location of fires observed, and will be connected by telephone with headquarters in Franklin. Living quarters for the warden also will be on the third floor. The tower will be 22 feet square at the base with five-foot concrete foundation blocks 12 inches thick. It will taper at the top to dimensions 16 feet square. Its weight has been estimated at half a million pounds, and the foundation has been excavated to bed rock

In 1937, the dedication by the Forest Service was in September giving it the name John B. Bryne Memorial Tower. The duel purpose was to provide an observation level 24 feet above the ground for visitors to enjoy. An inside stairway led to the observation platform. Above the public observation level was the tower mans quarters, where was housed the equipment necessary for fire protection. The tower was accessible by car, just 15 miles west of Franklin.

In the 1940s, faulty mortar led to its decommissioning and later the USFS removed half of its structure for conversion to a public observation tower. At some point a wooden covered roof was placed over the top.

In 2016, the lookout structure was burned in the Camp Branch Fire, leaving only the stone base.

In 2018 the roof was rebuilt.