BabyLand General is the birthplace of Cabbage Patch Kids, those pudgy-faced dolls that have been part of both the kiddie and adult collector consciousness since the late 1970s. The former home of an actual clinic, BabyLand is part interactive museum and part gift shop. Together, it's one whimsical wonderland.

Family tree

Originally known as Little People, the hand-stitched dolls were created by Cleveland native Xavier Roberts. He made one-of-a-kind dolls (he prefers to call them "babies" or "kids"), giving each a personalized name and each buyer a birth certificate. In 1978, he and five school chums formed a corporation (Original Appalachian Artworks) and transformed the Neal Clinic in downtown Cleveland into BabyLand General Hospital, hub of Little People activity.

In 1982, the Little People name was switched to Cabbage Patch Kids, and the company negotiated a licensing deal with toy manufacturer Coleco to sell mass-produced, lower-priced Cabbage Patch Kids with plastic heads and cloth bodies. These versions hit stores in 1983, setting off a holiday shopping frenzy. But Roberts and company held on to the rights to create the original handmade dolls, which continue to be "born" regularly at BabyLand General.

GETTING THERE

Cleveland is approximately 1 1/2 hours from Atlanta. To get to BabyLand General Hospital, take I-85 North toward Greenville. Merge onto I-985 North toward Gainesville. Take the Ga. 369 exit toward U.S. 129. Turn left at Jesse Jewel Parkway N.E. Turn left onto W. Underwood Street. BabyLand General Hospital is on the left. Helen, the popular German-themed tourist destination, is 9 miles from Cleveland.

DINING

Hungry after touring the toy hospital? Downtown Cleveland has everything from fast food (Subway, Wendy's, Sonic) to Southern sit-down grub like Glenda's Place (286 S. Main St.). Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Glenda's offers sandwiches and burgers, and such fancier fare as steaks and seafood, all in a homespun environment.

LODGING

The Days Inn Cleveland (244 S. Main St.), within walking distance of BabyLand General, has 37 non-smoking and smoking, single and double bedrooms.

Complimentary Internet access and an outdoor pool are among the amenities. The nearby Gateway Inn Motel (300 N. Main St.) has 30 rentable rooms.

UPCOMING EVENTS

> Free tours daily. Mondays-Saturdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

> Party with the Cabbage Patch Kids. Free; carnival games, costume characters, music, and more.: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 20.

>INFO: BabyLand General Hospital, 73 W. Underwood St., Cleveland. 706-865-2171, www.cabbagepatchkids.com.

 Staff
Map locates Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland, Georgia. Inset map outlines area of detail relative to southeastern U.S. and Atlanta.