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 | Wyoming, 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 in Wyoming, Michigan. It has ancient earth mounds built by early people. This site is also called Norton Mound Site or Hopewell Indian Mounds Park. The Grand Rapids Public Museum helps protect it.
Contents
Why the Norton Mounds Are Important
Why are these mounds important? The National Park Service says they are the most important and best-kept mounds from the Hopewell people in the western Great Lakes area.
History of the Norton Mounds
The Norton Mound group was a very important place for the Hopewell culture. This was from about 400 BC to AD 400. The Hopewell people likely built these mounds 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 explored in 1874 by W. L. Coffinbury. He found many burials with special items inside. More digs happened in 1915 by H. E. Sargent.
In 1936, Mrs. W. B. Stiles gave the land with many mounds to the city of Grand Rapids. It then became a city park. The site was listed as a historic place in Michigan in 1957. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1965.
Later digs in 1963-1964 by James B. Griffin helped us learn how the mounds were built.
Today, the mounds face some threats like erosion and flooding. The Grand Rapids Public Museum is working to protect the site. They made a plan in 2007 to help manage the land. People are learning more about the mounds because of the nearby Millennium Park.
What the Mounds Look Like
The mounds are located in Wyoming, Michigan, near the Grand River. They are between Indian Mounds Drive and Interstate 196. The Norton Mounds site covers about 55 acres. It is currently closed to visitors.
The Norton Mounds were once part of a bigger group of mounds. This included the Converse Mounds near downtown Grand Rapids. But those mounds were removed in the 1800s as the city grew.
In 1874, there were 17 mounds in the Norton group. They were named A through Q. The three biggest mounds are close to the river. The others are in a curved line behind them. By 1963, only eleven of the 17 mounds were still mostly untouched. Four had been completely removed.
The remaining mounds are different sizes. Some are 30 feet wide and 1.5 feet tall. Others are 100 feet wide and 15 feet tall.
How the Mounds Were Built
The mounds were built in layers. First, there was a layer of black dirt. Then, a layer of "ash" (likely from burned leaves). Next, a cap of mound fill was added. Finally, a layer of natural grass covered the top.
Under these layers are burial pits. Most of these pits are below the ground. But in the largest mound (Mound M), the burial rooms are above the ground. The burial pits are shallow and shaped like rectangles.
What Was Found Inside
The burial pits held human remains. Close by, people found special items. These items included:
- Jars, cups, and dishes
- Spoons and arrowheads
- Pipes and tools
- Beads, pearls, and shell items
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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
