Mound City Group National Monument
Also known as: Hs-%m1-34; Hs-%37-38
Why it's listed
Mound City Group is a cluster of Hopewellian burial mounds on high ground above the Scioto River near Chillicothe, Ohio. A low earthen wall encloses about 13 acres holding 23 mounds, with two more just outside. Most were built over the burned sites of charnel houses, where the dead were prepared, and then capped with gravel. Looting and farming damaged the site, and in 1917 levelling for Camp Sherman severely disrupted most of the mounds. Reconstruction began in the 1920s and continued from the late 1950s and 1960s. It was proclaimed a national monument in 1923. The form values it for its link to the 1840s work of Squier and Davis, which helped found American archeology, and for what it has taught about the Hopewell, who made art and offerings from copper, obsidian, shell and mica. It is also considered one of the best places for the public to see Hopewellian funerary features.
Significance in brief: The form describes it as an important assemblage of earthen structures tied to the prehistoric Adena and Hopewell cultures. It was closely linked to the origins of American archeology through the 1840s studies of Squier and Davis. It has added greatly to knowledge of the Hopewell tradition and is called perhaps the best assemblage of Hopewellian funerary features open to the public.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 66000119, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | N of Chillicothe, Chillicothe |
|---|---|
| County | Ross County |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000119 |
| Resource type | District |
| Areas of significance | Prehistoric, Transportation, Religion |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Mounds are largely reconstructions, mostly from the 1920s, and the condition is listed as excellent. Archeological research and restoration work were still underway. An amendment says the dock, steps and wall are extremely deteriorated and a safety hazard. |
| Acreage | 67.5 |
| Coordinates | 39.37643, -83.00436 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 66000119.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4315010
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.