Story Mound (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Story Mound
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Eastern side of the mound
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Location	Gracely Drive in Sayler Park [1]
Nearest city	Cincinnati, Ohio
Coordinates	39°7′1″N84°41′21.6″W / 39.11694°N 84.689333°W / 39.11694; -84.689333
Area	0.5 acres (0.20 ha)
NRHP reference No.	75001436 [2]
Added to NRHP	June 11, 1975

The Story Mound is a Native American mound in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Ohio. Located in the Sayler Park neighborhood of the city of Cincinnati, ^[2] the mound lies along Gracely Drive. ^[1] No archaeological excavation has ever been conducted at the mound, and it has remained otherwise undisturbed as well; consequently, the mound remains in pristine condition. Despite the lack of evidence from excavations, the mound has been determined to be a work of the Adena culture, due in part to artifacts such as bones that have been found in the land immediately surrounding the mound. These findings, together with the mound's location near the floodplain of the Ohio River, have been understood as evidence of a larger group of Adena sites in the vicinity of the Story Mound. Such a complex, if it exists, would have great value as an archaeological site; ^[3] therefore, the Story Mound was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. ^[2]

History

Story Mound is a prominent earthen burial mound constructed by the Adena culture between 800 B.C. and A.D. 100. The structure stands approximately 19.5 feet (6 meters) tall with a base diameter of 95 feet (29 meters), and occupies nearly one acre of land. This makes it a significant and well preserved example of Adena mortuary architecture in southwestern Ohio. In 1897, the mound was excavated by archaeologist Clarence Loveberry, who uncovered the first documented circular timber structure measuring 15 feet in diameter used for Adena ceremonial purposes, a groundbreaking discovery for understanding the culture’s architectural practices. The State of Ohio acquired the mound in 1950, reflecting its recognized importance, and it remains under institutional stewardship aimed at preservation and public education. ^{[4] [5] [6]}

References

1. 44 FR 7558
2. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
3. Owen, Lorrie K., ed. Dictionary of Ohio Historic Places. Vol. 1. St. Clair Shores: Somerset, 1999, 676.
4. https://www.ohiohistory.org/visit/browse-historical-sites/story-mound/
5. https://scienceviews.com/indian/storymound.html
6. https://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=27119#:~:text=stonetracker%20visited%20on%201st%20Apr,seen%20from%20the%20parking%20area.