Coe Mound facts for kids

The Coe Mound is an ancient earth mound in Columbus, Ohio. It was built by Native American people long ago. This special mound was created about 2,000 years ago. It was likely built by the Adena or Hopewell people. These were early cultures that lived in Ohio. The Coe Mound is now a protected historic site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Exploring Coe Mound

What is Coe Mound?

The Coe Mound is one of the largest earth mounds near Columbus. It is also one of the few that has not been badly damaged. Many other mounds were disturbed by people digging without permission. No official archaeological studies have been done at this site.

When it was first found, the mound was shaped like a cone. It was ten feet tall and 75 feet wide. By 1887, farming in the area had made it much flatter. Today, the mound is about four feet high and 70 feet wide. Experts believe that the original ground level, old structures, and burials are still safe beneath the mound.

Who Built the Mound?

Without digging into the mound, it is hard to know for sure who built it. It could have been the Adena people (around 500 B.C. to 400 A.D.). Or it might have been the Hopewell people (around 300 B.C. to 500 A.D.). Both groups built mounds in this region.

Another mound nearby, called the Jeffers Mound, was built by the Hopewell. This suggests that the Coe Mound was also built by the Hopewell. They might have used it to bury important people from their society.

Protecting a Historic Site

Saving the Mound from a Highway

The Coe Mound was one of two mounds in the area where a new highway was planned. This highway was Ohio State Route 315. In 1972, the City of Columbus learned that the mound was in the way. It was near a planned ramp between Bethel Road and the highway.

Because of this, the city worked with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). They also worked with the Ohio Historical Society. Together, they decided to nominate the mound for the National Register of Historic Places. This would help protect it.

The area around the mound was fenced off to keep it safe. The highway project was changed so it would not disturb the mound. This way, the ancient site was preserved.

Keeping Information Safe

Some information about the Coe Mound is not available to everyone. This includes its nomination papers for the National Register of Historic Places. This information is restricted under a law called the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979. This law helps protect important archaeological sites from harm.