Norton Mound Group facts for kids
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Norton Mound Group
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
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| NRHP reference No. | 66000396 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 21, 1965 |
The Norton Mound Group is a special place near Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is also known as the Norton Mound Site or Hopewell Indian Mounds Park. This site has ancient mounds built by people long ago. These mounds are a very important part of history in the Great Lakes region.
Contents
Why the Norton Mounds Are Important
The Norton Mounds are very special. The National Park Service says they are the most important and best-kept Hopewell mounds in the western Great Lakes area. They help us learn a lot about ancient cultures.
History of the Norton Mounds
The Norton Mound Group was a main center for the Hopewell culture. This was from about 400 BC to AD 400. These mounds were likely built around the first century AD.
The name "Norton Mounds" comes from Captain A.N. Norton. He owned this land in the 1800s. The mounds were first dug up in 1874 by W. L. Coffinbury. This digging showed many burials with rich items. More digging was done by H. E. Sargent in 1915.
In 1936, Mrs. W. B. Stiles gave the land to the city of Grand Rapids. The area then became a city park. The site was listed as a Michigan Historic Site in 1957. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1965.
Later digging in 1963-1964 was led by James B. Griffin. This work showed how the mounds were built.
Protecting the Mounds
The National Park Service says that the mounds face threats. These include bad weather, floods, and new buildings nearby. The Grand Rapids Public Museum received money to help. They made a plan to check the site's condition. People know more about the site now. This is because of work on Millennium Park. The plan to protect the mounds was finished in 2007.
What the Norton Mounds Look Like
The mounds are located between Indian Mounds Drive and Interstate 196. This is about two miles south of Grand Rapids. They are also near the Grand River. The Norton Mounds site covers about 55 acres. It is currently closed to the public.
The Norton Mounds were once part of a bigger group. This group included the Converse Mounds. Those mounds were near downtown Grand Rapids. But the Converse Mounds were removed in the 1800s. This happened as Grand Rapids grew. No trace of them remains today.
When Coffinbury first explored in 1874, there were 17 mounds. In 1936, these mounds were named A through Q. The three biggest mounds are close to the river. The other mounds form a curved line behind them. By 1963, only eleven mounds were mostly untouched. Four had been completely destroyed.
The remaining mounds vary in size. They are from 30 feet wide and 1.5 feet tall. Some are 100 feet wide and 15 feet tall. The mounds are built in layers. First, there is a layer of dark dirt. Then, a layer of "ash" (likely old leaves). Next, a mound fill cap. Finally, a layer of natural grass.
Below these layers are burial pits. Most of these are below ground. But in the largest mound (Mound M), the burial rooms are above the ground. The burial pits are shallow and shaped like rectangles.
These pits held human remains. They also had burial goods nearby. These goods included jars, cups, dishes, and spoons. There were also arrowheads, pipes, tools, beads, pearls, and shell items.
Images for kids
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Excavation of Mound M
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Geometrical engravings from turtle carapaces
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Burial Chamber, Mound M
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Burial Chamber, Mound M
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Ornaments from Norton Mounds
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Burial Utensils from Norton und
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Hopewell Pottery from Mound M
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"Work kit" from Norton Mounds
