This Man-Made Wonder in Ohio Is the Definition of a Hidden Gem

Ohio trivia time: Ohio became a state in 1803, the same year the Louisiana Purchase was completed. While it was an exciting time for the U.S., the field of archaeology was still very much in its infancy. Things would really take off roughly seven decades later when Heinrich Schliemann discovered the remains of Troy, which added extra legitimacy to the young science. Unfortunately, before archaeology really had its footing as a field, we lost many fascinating landmarks in the U.S. to development and curiosity. Nevertheless, Ohio has managed to keep a few of its historic sites intact for us to enjoy. Today, we're going to take a look at a site in the Licking Park District that still has a significant Hopewell cultural site intact, though it will take a bit of searching to uncover. As the area of interest is hidden in a public park, you can get to know its hiking trails on AllTrails before you even hit the road.

Once upon a time, the Hopewell peoples flourished in and around the Granville area. Today, this culture is known for its mounds, which are ancient earthworks used for a variety of different purposes including funerary burials, religious ceremony, and even construction. Some of these mounds required millions of cubic feet of dirt to construct, and this culture is responsible for building the very largest earthworks in North America. In fact, some Hopewell earthworks rank as the largest on the planet, earning them much-deserved recognition on UNESCO's World Heritage list.

Infirmary Mound, which we're going to visit today, is rather quaint compared to these massive examples of ancient engineering, but it's still got a remarkable history. It's one of several mounds in Licking County, though, and it's well worth a visit.

About 70 feet in diameter and rising a mere three feet above the landscape, Infirmary Mound is a bit hard to spot. This is unfortunately due to human activity in the region... farming, landscaping, and footfall have made it susceptible to erosion. This isn't all modern, of course. Back in the 1850s (before the discovery of Troy and before widespread acceptance of the importance of preservation), this landscape housed the county home. It went by many different names, including The Infirmary.

As the landscape has been worn down, you might want to reference a trail map to locate the old mound. Unlike some of the more famous mounds, the Granville ones likely were not burial sites. Likely ceremonial sites, these Licking County mounds preserve a long-lost culture rather than the remains of that long-lost culture. Without significant artifacts and archaeological study, this site is a bit of a mystery. However, it does make one thing clear: generations of ancient peoples called this area home.

Though the site isn't huge, it's a true hidden gem that history lovers are going to want to (metaphorically, of course) dig into. It's a fascinating reminder that though our country is young, Ohio has been populated by humans for as many as 15,000 years. The first European settlers (many of whom were French fur trappers exploring the wild Northwest Territory) must have been humbled to see massive and, in some cases, elaborate earthworks greeting them.

Nature lovers can also enjoy the park's 316 acres without feeling like they need to do some homework to understand the landscape's significance. It's beautiful, quite simply put, and it has unique trails like Wildflower Fairy Trail waiting to be explored. This trail is just a quarter mile in length, but it features fairy houses, secret doors, and magic around every corner. It's perfect for hikers of all ages!

All in all, the park has about nine miles of trails encircling its acreage. There's a scenic lake, forested stretches, meadows, and just an endless dose of beauty awaiting nature lovers. Of course, the real magic at this site is not on the Wildflower Fairy Trail, but hidden in one ancient earthwork that only history buffs know to look for.

Want to visit other famous mounds in Ohio? Check out the Miamisburg Mound and the Great Serpent Mound to see more local history in action.