The grassroots effort to relocate the ‘Hermit Hut’ in Fairhope is halfway to its goal.

The Fairhope Single Tax Corporation, a non-profit entity that owns about 4,500 acres of land in and around the city, is pledging $184,500 or half of the $369,000 goal to get the concrete hut relocated.

The pledge is contingent on the other half being raised through community fundraising.

The project involves moving the domed, concrete hut from a commercial complex off U.S. 98 in Fairhope to the more tranquil setting at Flying Creek Nature Preserve, a 72-acre parcel of mostly forested property north of the city.

The fundraising announcement came Wednesday from the Tolstoy Park Committee, named after the 2005 book, “The Poet of Tolstoy Park,” written by Fairhope resident Sonny Brewer. The book is based on the real-life story of Henry James Stuart, the man who built the hut by hand nearly a century ago.

Brewer, co-chairman of the Tolstoy Park Committee, told AL.com he was elated and encouraged by the announcement, adding that he was “more confident we will get Henry’s round house back to the woods where he wants to be.”

“Relocating Tolstoy Park to the Flying Creek Nature Preserve will not only save Henry Stuart’s round house, but it will also keep alive his good story that has resonated with readers from all over the country for two decades,” Brewer said in a statement. “It will present educational and cultural opportunities and draw people outdoors to Fairhope’s newest and beautiful nature park.”

Fairhope leaders have supported the move, contingent on raising the necessary funds. City leaders hope the hut can serve as a key attraction within the 104-acre nature preserve that is being developed into a nature and educational center.

Richard Scott, co-chairman of the committee, said he’s hopeful that local support can match the contribution to get the “century-old architectural gem” preserved for future generations.

The hut was the creation of Stuart, whose story is highlighted in Brewer’s book and diary entries. In his late 60s, Stuart built the hurricane-resistant hut by hand in 1925 and 1926, shortly after relocating to Fairhope after leaving his home in Idaho. At the time of this move, Stuart had been diagnosed with tuberculosis and was encouraged to relocate to a warmer climate by his physician.

He was given only one year to live. Stuart lived in the hut until 1944, leaving Fairhope at 88 to spend his final years in Oregon.

Though dubbed a “hermit,” Stuart welcomed over 1,300 visitors to his unique home, including famed attorney Clarence Darrow, who visited six times. The hut and Stuart’s property was named “Tolstoy Park,” after the Russian writer Leo Tolstoy whose philosophy of simplicity and harmony resonated with him.

Brewer first discovered the house in 1982 and became immersed in Stuart’s words while restoring the hut. He wrote much of his novel while living inside the structure.

Since the novel’s release, the hut has become a popular roadside attraction, drawing thousands of visitors each year. In November last year, 160 people signed onto the visitor’s log.

Brewer has been giving talks in hopes of encouraging fundraising to get the hut relocated. He said he has scheduled presentations for April 24 at the Fairhope Public Library, May 31 at the Fairhope Museum of History and June 22 at the Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship.

Brewer said he recently met with 50 women who were visiting the city and were part of a book club and who wanted to visit Stuart’s house. They were familiar with the hut and Brewer’s novel but unaware of efforts to relocate the structure.

“The opportunities are here and there to get the word out farther and wider to anyone everywhere,” Brewer said. “We’re spreading the word and seeing what happens.”