In a town lined with breathtaking views, a booming economy and historic buildings with stories dating back a century, Yelm’s most polarizing attraction in 2024 has been what residents have dubbed the “Historic Yelm Canyon.”
The “canyon” was an oversized pothole located between Burger King and the Nisqually Plaza Commercial Center off of East Yelm Avenue. It had long been an obstruction for Yelm motorists and pedestrians, but it only recently became a social media phenomenon in the town. In fact, it grew so popular that a green sign reading “Historic Yelm Canyon” was placed on the stop sign by the pothole, and it even had its own Google Maps entry with reviews. As of early March, 36 people left reviews of the “Historic Yelm Canyon,” with an average rating of 4.9 stars out of five. One review read, “A lot of fun for the whole family.”
Much to the dismay of residents and tourists, the beloved Yelm landmark was filled on March 22. According to Mayor Joe DePinto, the death of the “canyon” was due to a new business application in the area.
As a result of the desecration of the pothole, Yelm residents paid their respects with a tribute on the stop sign next to where the “canyon” once laid. The tribute included a cross, stuffed animals, flowers, stickers and a lengthy “Ode to the Historic Yelm Canyon” written by Steve Lynch, who also created apparel for the “canyon.”
The ode reads:
“In Yelm, there sprawled a crack so deep; a marvel of our time, in asphalt’s keep. Not a natural wonder, but a pothole, grand; in a parking lot, where our cars would stand. We named it ‘historic,’ with a laugh, so light; a canyon of pavement, in our urban plight. Where once was flatness, now a gaping hole; a symbol of our era, with a touch of soul. Its edges not rock, but tar’s dark embrace; a sight so unique, it had its own grace. No echoes of nature, just the buzz of the street; a quirky reminder, in our concrete retreat. Here’s to the Yelm Canyon, in all its glory; a pothole turned legend, in our everyday story. May its filling bring, a hint of regret; for in its absence, a piece of our jest. May its memory linger, in every wheel’s turn; a chuckle, a thought, for which we yearn. For even in a pothole, there’s a tale to be found; in the heart of the city, where life’s abound.”
DePinto said he got a kick out of the social media buzz regarding the pothole, despite the City of Yelm’s frustrations about getting it filled.
“I’ve personally enjoyed all the comments and pictures on social media about our recently formed landmark. On the flip side, it was also frustrating that there was this giant hole in the ground and little that we could do as a city to get it filled,” he said.
He explained that one of his priorities as mayor has been to increase funding toward transportation projects and maintenance of the city’s streets. The City has filled potholes on the streets that it maintains, but Yelm does not maintain the two state highways or the private parking lots of businesses in town. An administrative site plan review from a new business application resulted in a notice of decision being drafted, however.
“In order for a new business to open on that property, the pothole needed to be filled. The property owner got it filled, and now we have its memorial,” DePinto said. “Perhaps we will see a new canyon in the future.”
The mayor added that he thought it was “hilarious and wholesome” to see Yelm resident Michelle Stephan bring her out-of-town parents to visit and take photos at the “canyon.” Stephan’s parents, who traveled from the Spokane area to Yelm, found the “Historic Yelm Canyon” on Google and enjoyed the reviews.
“We thought it was hilarious. I think it’s great that our town has a sense of humor,” Stephan said of the landmark.
Cody Colt, City of Yelm public works director, jokingly said that when the pothole first appeared to him in 1989, he “couldn’t fathom the impact or profoundness it would have on my life.”
“I realized that, from that point on, my life would be dedicated to repairing man-made canyons and phenomena around the world. It may not have been the popular thing to do, but it was certainly the right thing,” Colt said. “Lo and behold, a small business came along that wished to open in the Nisqually Plaza and was up to the behemoth task of filling in the canyon. As the date of filling approached, all things seemed to line up: no clouds, beautiful weather — it was as if the world was rejoicing in the repair together. A few short hours later, the canyon was sealed, never to be opened again … We hope.”
Mayor DePinto encourages Yelm residents and visitors to report any potholes on the streets of Yelm at https://www.yelmwa.gov/i_want_to/report_an_issue/index.php.
