Tightening my boots in preparation for the trail, I was excited to be reaching the  Fort Ancient Earthworks for a late morning hike.  Since moving to Columbus, I have been fascinated by the Ohio Indian tribes that once made their home in the valley.  I wanted to learn more about the Hopewell Indians, their customs, history and their building of the multiple mounds throughout the state.

I found a great parking spot close to Morgan’s Livery and Canoe in Oregonia, specifically designated for hikers and cyclists.  Conveniently located near the trailhead, I crossed over the bridge where I shortly arrived for my hike.

I walked along the paved bike path for a short distance when I noticed the entrance to the Fort Ancient trail.  It was springtime and a bit overcast, which was the perfect combination for an afternoon hike.  I was happy for the sign that reminded me of the $12 entrance fee and for the distance calculations for reaching both the earthworks and the museum.

Although the hike was not far, it was steep.  It took me about an hour to reach the earthworks but it was well worth the trek.  I noticed a sign guiding me to the South Overlook so I followed it.  I reached the overlook and realized that this would be a wonderful place to visit during the fall. There were so many trees in the distance and I imagined the colorful display when the leaves began to change.  I decided to head back towards the museum passing a large number of hills that reach heights of about 23 feet.

As I continued to explore the small section of the mounds stretching over three and a half miles, there were signs that reminded me to stay off of the prehistoric earthworks.  There were also several markers that provided information about the Indians as well as the history of the area.

Researchers first believed that the high walls were used for defense and protection, but their theory was later disproven by archaeologists who confirmed it was used for religious and social purposes.

The map showed that I was heading north and walking towards the visitor’s center.  I noticed a group of people dressed up as Indians in the distance and could see a couple of large teepees.  As I approached the area walking along the mounds, I realized that there must have been an Indian celebration the night before.

There were multiple tables set up with Indian handicrafts and artwork.  I was impressed with the craftsmanship of the headdresses, clothing and tools.

I continued the trail towards the museum surrounded by the earthworks.  I paid the entrance fee and began to explore the exhibit.  Several stations were set up that explained the primitive way of life for the Indians in this area.  There were miniature scale models to show how the villages were set up and the types of housing that was constructed during that time.

In addition to the lives of the Hopewells and Fort Ancients, there are displays of animals that once roamed the region but are now extinct.

I was also fascinated by the artifacts that were found in the area and the creative artwork that was discovered during excavations.

One of my favorite exhibits chronicled the later lives of Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa and their final days in Ohio. I grew up watching the outdoor drama, Tecumseh, that took place each summer and looked forward to it each year.

I think we often times lose sight that the Indians were the First Ohioans.  I find it wonderful that Ohio makes an effort to preserve the history of these Indians and their tribes.  From outdoor dramas to museums and from literature to parks, we can continue to understand a culture and people that have made an impact on the history of our great country, the United States.

Fort Ancient hosts an annual Fort Ancient Spring Wildflower Walk around the first Saturday in April each year.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Fort Ancient?  I would love to hear about your experience if you will kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my visit to Fort Ancient Earthworks to learn more about the prehistoric Indians of Ohio!  Wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do: 

Fort Ancient Archaeological Park
6123 OH-350
Oregonia, OH  45054
Telephone: 513 932 4421

• Admission Fee:  $7 for adults, $6 for seniors (60+), $6 for students aged 6 – 17; children under 6 and members are free.
• Hours:  April through November from 10AM to 5PM on Tuesday through Saturday, Sunday from noon to 5 and closed on Mondays.  December through March from 10AM to 5PM on Sunday and noon to 5 on Sunday; closed Monday through Friday except by appointment
• Amenities:  Outdoor archaeological site, museum, children’s groups, tour groups, facility rental, museum store, restrooms, picnic area
• Scenic View:  Wander among the mysterious Indian mounds
• Length of Visit:  1 – 2 hours
• Tips for Your Visit:  Do not climb upon the mounds.  The site is a religious and hollowed location for the Indians, so one should visit in reverence taking this into consideration.

Where to Stay:

The Golden Lamb Restaurant & Hotel
27 South Broadway Street
Lebanon, OH  45036
Telephone:  513 932 5065

Where to Eat: 

The Golden Lamb Restaurant & Hotel
27 South Broadway Street
Lebanon, OH  45036
Telephone:  513 932 5065

I began my dinner with The Golden Lamb’s famous sauerkraut balls.  I selected the Noodles & Ale Cheese from the House Specialties, with smoked chicken, andouille sausage, campanelle pasta and creamy amber ale cheese sauce.  For dessert, I could not resist ordering Sister Lizzie’s Shaker Sugar Pie with Tahitian Vanilla Gelato.

What to Eat: 

• Skyline Chili:  My go-to meal at Skyline is the 4-way chili with onion served with oyster crackers and hot sauce.  I always pick up two York peppermint patties after cashing out.  Cincinnati chili is a beef based sauce served over spaghetti noodles and cheese.  Additional toppings include onions and beans.
• LaRosa’s Pizza:  A local chain pizzeria, this Sicilian style pie is made with a sweet crust and sauce.  My favorite menu item is the Caprese pesto Flatbread Pizza.
• Graeter’s Ice Cream:  It’s the French Pot process that makes Graeter’s Ice Cream so decadent and rich.  Towards the end of the process, they pour chocolate into the mix creating large chunks of yummy goodness.
• Montgomery Inn BBQ:  Visiting the original Montgomery Inn BBQ at the boathouse is a culinary and scenic experience.  Their ribs are served with a sweet and tangy sauce that has since made them the “Ribs King” and a favorite among locals.  Load up on their amazing BBQ flavored Saratoga chips,
• Glier’s Goetta:  While it looks like a slab of corn beef hash, this breakfast staple is made of sausage and oats, cooked until crispy.  Most breakfast restaurants carry it as a side, especially the local cafes and diners.
• BonBonerie:  One of the most decadent pastry shops in Cincinnati, their rich confections are absolutely amazing.

Where to Drink:

Moerlein Lager House
115 Joe Nuxhall Way
Cincinnati, OH  45202
Telephone:  513 421 2337

What to Read: 

• Eligible:  A Modern Retelling of Pride & Prejudice, by Curtis Sittenfeld
• Running, by J.T. Cooper
• Dead Witch Walking, by Kim Harrison
• Beloved, by Toni Morrison
• Double Dutch, by Sharon M. Draper
• Romiette and Julio, by Sharon M. Draper

Photo Guide for Cincinnati (as provided by Chris Thompson on FourSquare):

• The John A Roebling Suspension Bridge
  • Pick a spot near the Covington pier and shoot north toward the Cincinnati skyline.  Shoot at sunset and underexpose by a few stops to get the lights just right.
  • The new lights on the bridge create excellent stars when you photograph them using a narrow aperture (~f/16 and above) on your camera. That means you’ll need a longer exposure (and thus a tripod).
• General James Taylor Park
  • Shoot from the top of the flag pole mound to get more building reflections in your shot. Shoot at sunset or sunrise for great lighting.
• Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
  • Arrive first thing in the morning when the sun is coming up
• The Fountain at Fountain Square
  • For great photos of the fountain: set your camera on a tripod and use a long exposure (2-5 seconds) to capture the running water. Get Carew or the colored lights above Rock Bottom in the background.
• Fountain Square (look for reflections in puddles)
• Celestial Restaurant in Mount Adams – The restaurant is now closed, but you may still be able to use the parking lot.
• Carew Tower Observation Deck
  • Provides some neat photos of the highways snaking around the city. Set your camera on a tripod and use a long exposure to get moving car trails. It’s only open at sunset a few days each year.
• Engine Company 46, 2733 Erie Avenue (at Michigan), Cincinnati
  • One of the most beautiful historic firehouses in all of Cincinnati. The firefighters here are used to having their photo taken while they work. Ask nicely and you can get some cool shots.
• Cincinnati Observatory Center
• Krohn Conservatory
• Great American Ball Park
  • Shoot the front of the stadium around sunset to get a nice color blue in the sky. Get one of the player statues in your shot for extra effect.
• Devou Park
  • The overlook next to the Drees pavilion affords a great view of the Cincinnati skyline. Shoot at sunrise or sunset for the best lighting. Underexpose slightly to get the city lights just right.
• Newport Central Catholic for fireworks
  • Shoot the Riverfest fireworks from this location. Bring a long lens and a tripod. You’ll want a long-ish exposure (5-10 seconds) to capture the bursts, but make sure the skyline isn’t overexposed.
• Riverfront Park
  • The colorful fountains make a great subject, but you need to use a relatively fast shutter speed (>1/20 or so) to catch the lights before they change color, leaving your pic with plain white lights.
• American Sign Museum
  • Be sure to bring a tripod to capture all the signs. Manual white balance is the way to go, because there are so many crazy colors of lights that your camera won’t know how to react.

Parking lot is beside the Morgan Canoe and Livery Center

Teepees at Fort Ancient