Tag Archives: Hopewell Indians

Mound Cemetery in Marietta, Ohio

History enthusiasts visit Mound Cemetery in Marietta for its large number of American Revolutionary War gravesites as well as its ancient Adena Mound.  The cemetery was initially built in 1801 to protect the ancient burial site and is known for having the most American Revolutionary soldiers buried within this place.

A map of the soldiers buried at this location is displayed within the cemetery.

The grave of Rufus Putnam, who was the founder of Marietta, is located here.  He died in 1820 from causes unknown.

Within a complex known as the Marietta Earthworks, many of the mounds were destroyed when the city of Marietta was built in 1788.

The Adena Mound dates between 100 to 500 BC as part of a larger settlement of the Hopewell Indians,  It is thought that the Chieftains of this Indian tribe are buried here.  In 1990, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History conducted excavations at the site and confirmed the Conus mound was that of the Hopewell Indians.  A set of stairs was constructed so that visitors could climb up to the top of the mound and look out into the city of Marietta.  This space was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Have you visited Mound Cemetery in Marietta, Ohio? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.

What to See and What to Do:

Mound Cemetery
5th and Scammel Streets
Marietta, OH  45750

  • Admission Fee:  Free
  • Hours:  Mound Cemetery is open from dawn to dusk, year-around.
  • Length of Visit: 1 – 2 hours
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Wear comfortable shoes for walking and taking the stairs to the top of The Mound.

Where to Stay:

The Hackett Hotel 
203 1/2 2nd Street
Marietta, OH  45750
Telephone: +740 374 8278

Where to Eat:

Boathouse BBQ
218 Virginia Street
Marietta, OH  45750
Telephone:  +740 373 3006

You have to try the Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese!  Amazing!

What to Read: 

A Guide to Historic Marietta Ohio, by Lynne Sturtevant

 

The Old Cabin at Fort Hill State Park in Hillsboro, Ohio

Looking for some great hikes in Ohio, I came across the opportunity to hike Fort Hill in Highland County.  With over 1300 acres, many believe that Fort Hill has some of the best hiking in the state and I would add that the scenic drive to Fort Hill is spectacular as well.

Similar to Fort Ancient, the Hopewell Indians built a stone and earthen wall  enclosure at the top of the hill.  Accessible only by hiking, the ancient earthwork covers over 40 acres.  Resembling a fort his how it received its name.  For this trip,  I decided to hike the 4.1 mile Gorge Trail.

The preserve features 11 miles of hiking trails and is included in a portion of Ohio’s Buckeye Trail.  Owned by the Ohio Historical Society and operated by the Arc of Appalachia Preserve System, it was a significantly spiritual place to the Hopewell Indians.  A second Hopewell structure on the south side of the park is known as the Circle Earthwork.

The earthwork measures one and a half a mile by the Hopewell tribe that lived between 100BC – 500AD.  It is thought that this location included a small village in the Brush Creek Valley as well as two ceremonial buildings.

Researchers believe that the earthwork was built for ceremonial purposes but the walls vary from six to fifteen feet,  Could it possibly be some type of fortification? The trail winds along Brush Creek where the pathway is clear and well marked.  It travels up then  down from the gorge and reaching the rim throughout the hike.

At one point the the trail passes through a log cabin.

From the base of the gorge to its rim, we had beautiful views of the creek and the valley.  In 1856, Ephraim George Squier and Edwin Hamilton Davis excavated the area, writing about it in their book, Ancient Monuments of the Missisippi Valley.  Fort Hill was named a National Natural Landmark in 1974.

It was a beautiful day exploring Fort Hill and I wondered how it would have looked during the time of the Hopewell Indians.

Have you visited Fort Hill State Memorial?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.   Many thanks for reading about my visit to Fort Hill and wishing you many Happy Travels.

What to See and What to Do:

Fort Hill Earthworks and Nature Preserve
13614 Fort Hill Road
Hillsboro, OH  45133
Telephone: +800 283 8905

  • Admission Fee:  There is no admission fee.
  • Hours:  The park is open each day from 8:30AM to 9PM
  • Scenic View:  The valleys and hills of the Appalachians, bird watching, Indian mounds, the gorge.
  • Length of Visit:  1 – 2 hours
  • Tips for Your Visit:   Wear comfortable shoes for hiking.  Enjoye the sandstone outcroppings, the hike along the creek and views of the gorge.

Where to Stay:

Coyote Creek Farm
8871 OH-124
Hillsboro, OH  45133
Telephone: +937 393 5166

Stay in this beautiful bed and breakfast cabin surrounded by nature.

Where to Eat:

62 Classics’ Diner LLC
1581  N. High Street 9495
Hillsboro, OH  45133
Telephone:  +937 661 6113

Known to have the best burgers in town.

What to Read: 

  • Ancient Monuments of the Missisippi Valley, by Ephraim George Squier and Edwin Hamilton Davis