Adena Indian Mound, Chillicothe, Ohio

Story Mound is a State Memorial off Allen Avenue at Delano Avenue in Chillicothe, Ohio. The archaelogical preserve is somewhat visible near the Middle School on Arch Street (formerly the old HS). Chillicothe is rich in Indian history. Mound City Group, the more famous area is a National Memorial with much to see regarding The Hopewell Indians.

This mound, measures 19.5 feet tall and is 95 feet in diameter. It's fenced and so I wasn't able to walk around it to get a better feel for the size. This is an Adena Indian Mound. The Adena Indians inhabited the area between 800 BC and 100 AD. The mound is slightly smaller then it was originally. It measured 25 feet in height and 125 feet in diameter before it was partially excavated in 1876 by Clarence Loveberry for The Ohio Historical Society. It sits on just under one acre of land. Beneath the mound are traces of a round timber building; the first documentation of this type of structure for the Adena people.

I noticed all the street names in this area are names of Indian Tribes. The name Chillicothe itself is an Indian word, A Shawnee word meaning principal place. Chil li coth ee was the village where the chief lived. When the chief died and a new chief took over; wherever he lived was then called Chil li coth ee.

I suggest you visit Mound City Group first,(guided tours there will give you good background), then Story Mound; grab some dinner at a local historic eatery Cross Keys Tavern., (unless you're scared--it's said to be haunted). Want more Indian Lore, don't forget to head to Sugar Loaf Mountain for the summer production of Tecumseh. It's very entertaining and quite educational as well.

Retire for the night and you'll be refreshed for another historic day as you travel about historic Chillicothe, one of the most historic cities in the state.

Summer's approaching, this is age appropriate for all, with plenty of outdoor activities to help burn up energy for the young. You could make a day trip of this from anywhere in Ohio, and Northern Kentucky; if you don't plan to stay the night to see Tecumseh.

Plenty more to see and do Chillicothe, so please check back soon for articles on The Majestic Theatre, said to be one of the most haunted places in all of Ohio.

**I've link to previous blog articles for you for more background information about Chillicothe and The Cross Keys Tavern, here as well as above in the text.

Urbana, Ohio

As you probably know if you've spent much time here on my blog, I am rarely without my camera AND I consider all jaunts a form of travel, an opportunity to see, experience, and learn. So the other day making my way with my Dad to visit his 90 year old sister was no exception.

I've been taking photo's and scanning photo's to load into a digital frame for her. She's recouping from a stroke. I thought having something to look at, to help with the stories from way back...and things just to keep her company would be helpful. The above statue is one of the first things you see as you enter Urbana. This is round about with a flag proudly flying and this war memorial statue honoring those who've served.

Urbana is the county seat of Champaigne County, was layed out in 1805 (just 2 years after statehood for the state of Ohio), and for a short period in 1812 was the headquarters for The Northwestern Army.

This historical plaque is within walking distance of my elderly aunt's log cabin. Yes...I really did say log cabin. Her husband, my Uncle built it long ago. The plaque talks about the importance of the railroads in the development of this community and how Joseph Vance and John H. James were important and instrumental in it's development.
This is Joseph Vance, the 13th Governor of The State of Ohio. He was an uneducated man, an Abolitionist and rose in the ranks due to hard work and service during The War of 1812.
This is John H. James, an attorney and high official in the railroad business.

Simon Kenton famous Indian fighter is buried here in Urbana. He made his home here for awhile. Simon Kenton was a Brigadier General in the Ohio Militia and served during The War of 1812.

However, what Urbana is most known for is being the birthplace of Me, The Traveling Suitcase! You'll no doubt find that piece of historic data in all the history books. lol

It's a pretty little town with some fabulous old homes with grand porches. I've been traveling there with Dad at least once a week over the last couple of months; wish I had more time to explore; ...but that's not the purpose of our visit.