Effigy Mound:
A Legacy of Indigenous Mound Builders
Effigy Mound, also known as Alligator Mound, is one of Ohio's most intriguing prehistoric earthworks. Measuring 200 feet in length and created by Indigenous peoples over 1,000 years ago the effigy mound is not a burial site but a carefully shaped representation of an animal or mythological figure. The earliest known description of the mound describes the effigy as being a stunning six feet high!
Many Native American traditions emphasize deep connections between the land, animals, and spiritual beliefs, and sites such as this reflect those relationships. Effigy Mound remains a compelling landmark, centuries later.
Why We Need to Preserve Effigy Mound
Effigy Mound is an irreplaceable cultural site that connects us to the Indigenous peoples who first called this land home. As one of only two surviving effigy mounds in Ohio, it offers rare insight into the ceremonial, artistic, and astronomical traditions of ancient Native cultures.
Once a site like this is damaged or destroyed, its knowledge and meaning are lost forever. Protecting Effigy Mound ensures that future generations can continue to learn from it—supporting ongoing archaeological study, honoring Native American heritage, and preserving a nationally significant landmark that deepens our understanding of America’s earliest history.
Preservation is our promise: to respect the past, safeguard the present, and share this extraordinary legacy with the future.