Ohio is famous for its “Mound Builders.” This term refers collectively to a number of indigenous American cultures, like the well-known Adena and Hopewell cultures, that constructed mounds and earthworks for religious, ritual, or mortuary purposes. When it comes to burial mounds in Cleveland, we don’t have any… but we did. They were flattened to “make room” for churches and residential areas, among other things. This lapse in judgment has caused us to lose any hope of gaining more understanding of the indigenous cultures that previously called the Cleveland area home… fortunately, however, there are a few notable mounds within driving distance of home. Today we’re heading to Lewis Center, about two hours away, to explore a unique destination.
Before you panic and say, “But Lewis Center isn’t near Cleveland… it’s closer to Columbus!” You are right. But it’s near enough for a day trip, and it is one we as Ohioans should absolutely take.
Highbanks Metro Park/Facebook It is worth the drive… truly! As we Clevelanders have, unfortunately, destroyed our local mounds, we have a duty to try to understand the diverse peoples that originally constructed them.
Highbanks Metro Park, a pretty collective of 1,200 acres overlooking the Olentangy State Scenic River, has all sorts of trails.
Jennifer Matthews/Google Images
You’ll want to check in advance before you set out to hike, as some trails in the park are paved and ADA accessible, while some are dirt paths through the woods.
Ravi Kaliyaperumal/Google Images Trails here range from 0.3 miles to 3.5 miles, so you’ll want to plan your trip accordingly.
As you hike, however, you may notice that the park contains a handful of features that aren’t quite natural.
Sean/Google Images Easily visible earthworks exist off of Coyote Run and Overlook Trail.
This little hill is actually not a hill, but a subconical mound associated with the Adena culture in the Early Woodland period. Even crazier, it is one of two Adena-era mounds on site.
marada/Flickr This, unlike the Great Serpent Mound, is probably not an actual burial site.
If you venture toward the intersection of Overlook Trail and Dripping Rock Trail, you just might find the other mound.
Tom Jarrell/Google Images Archaeological surveys, albeit noninvasive ones considering the legal implications of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), have been conducted in the area. NAGPRA strictly prohibits scientists or anyone else from disturbing sites with human remains or other sacred objects.
Deeper in the woods, you will find the Highbank Park Works. This little mound is thought to be built by the Cole peoples, perhaps once serving as a boundary marker.
Nyttend/Wikimedia Commons This Late Woodland Period is thought, thanks in part to excavations like the ones around the Highbank Park Works, to be descended from the Hopewell culture.
What makes these mounds, and much of the park, so significant is that they have hardly been disturbed by modern settlers. No farming has disturbed them, nor has any invasive excavation.
Travis Snow/Google Images The only thing that has disturbed the mounds is the natural frost and melt cycles of the earth. Otherwise, these spots are au naturel.
As you explore Highbanks Metro Park, you’ll see why early indigenous cultures fell in love with this environment. It was surely every bit as beautiful today.
Jessica Lucas/Google Images And this site is truly stunning. It’s not just a historical wonder… it’s a natural one, too!
Highbanks, named for its 100-foot-high shale bluffs, is open 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Summer is the perfect time to visit to ensure you make the most of daylight!
Nick/Google Images Truly, this pretty spot is magnificent in every season. There’s much to love about its forested trails, open meadows, and seemingly endless beauty.
Prepare to hike through history at this park, as you’ll find yourself following in the footsteps of Ohioans that came centuries before us.
37Geese/TripAdvisor Whether or not you can claim indigenous ancestry, the people that once occupied this site are sort of our cultural ancestors. We share the same land they called home centuries ago, and they have left us little clues hinting to their lifestyles and beliefs. Some of those clues are buried deep in the ground, others are waiting to surface at the end of the next freeze and thaw cycle.
This park on the National Register of Historic Places merits a trip from Cleveland, at least as an opportunity to stop, learn, and understand why the preservation of these sites is so important.
James/Google Images
There may not be a multitude of burial mounds in Cleveland or even near Cleveland, but earthworks crisscross the region, reminding us of the rich Ohio culture that predates European settlement. What’s your favorite local archaeological site?
Highbanks Metro Park/Facebook
It is worth the drive… truly! As we Clevelanders have, unfortunately, destroyed our local mounds, we have a duty to try to understand the diverse peoples that originally constructed them.
Jennifer Matthews/Google Images
Ravi Kaliyaperumal/Google Images
Trails here range from 0.3 miles to 3.5 miles, so you’ll want to plan your trip accordingly.
Sean/Google Images
Easily visible earthworks exist off of Coyote Run and Overlook Trail.
marada/Flickr
This, unlike the Great Serpent Mound, is probably not an actual burial site.
Tom Jarrell/Google Images
Archaeological surveys, albeit noninvasive ones considering the legal implications of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), have been conducted in the area. NAGPRA strictly prohibits scientists or anyone else from disturbing sites with human remains or other sacred objects.
Nyttend/Wikimedia Commons
This Late Woodland Period is thought, thanks in part to excavations like the ones around the Highbank Park Works, to be descended from the Hopewell culture.
Travis Snow/Google Images
The only thing that has disturbed the mounds is the natural frost and melt cycles of the earth. Otherwise, these spots are au naturel.
Jessica Lucas/Google Images
And this site is truly stunning. It’s not just a historical wonder… it’s a natural one, too!
Nick/Google Images
Truly, this pretty spot is magnificent in every season. There’s much to love about its forested trails, open meadows, and seemingly endless beauty.
37Geese/TripAdvisor
Whether or not you can claim indigenous ancestry, the people that once occupied this site are sort of our cultural ancestors. We share the same land they called home centuries ago, and they have left us little clues hinting to their lifestyles and beliefs. Some of those clues are buried deep in the ground, others are waiting to surface at the end of the next freeze and thaw cycle.
James/Google Images
Believe it or not, there are more earthworks in Rocky River Reservation, and the Burrell Orchard site in French Creek Reservation continues to amaze archaeologists. History abounds in this pretty state… so keep your eyes peeled, because you never know who will make the next archaeological discovery.
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Address: Highbanks Metro Park, 9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center, OH 43035, USA
