The Mountain State has a rich Native American history with many families in some way descendants of one Native American society or another. And while our roots will always be entrenched in our home state of West Virginia (created in 1863), our heritage extends back thousands of years. Our state is home to numerous Indian Mounds, including the largest one in the world located in Moundsville (you can read all about that one in this previous article…).

But you don't have to travel all the way to Moundsville in the Northern Panhandle to visit a fascinating part of Native American history...
Google Maps/Nick Schaer
There is an ancient Indian Mound located in South Charleston that is a historical wonder.
Google Maps/Aaron Haney
It originally measured 33 feet high and a massive 173 feet in diameter. In comparison, the mound in Moundsville was nearly twice the size.
Located right in the city center, this mound is a fascinating piece of history for a variety of reasons.
Google Maps/Jason Buchanan
Not only has it managed to survive a colossal amount of urban growth in every direction, it also is the second largest such mound in the state.
From 1883 to 1884, the Smithsonian Institution oversaw the excavation of the Criel Mound.
Google Maps/Shelley Browning
In it, they found 13 skeletons; two were near the top and 11 were at the base. What's more: 10 of the skeletons at the base were laid in a circular fashion with their feet pointed at the 11th skeleton positioned in the middle of them all. When measured, that middle skeleton was estimated to be approximately 6-feet-9-inches tall!

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The original mound was pointed at the top; akin to a cone shape.
Google Maps/Aaron Haney
Sometime around 1840, residents living in the area leveled the top and put a judges stand up there so they could run horse races around the base.
The horses are all gone now... but the mound remains.
Google Maps/Katie Mehle
It's the centerpiece of a small city park (Staunton Park) fronted on one side by busy MacCorkle Avenue and by a retail district on the other side.
A short flight of steps leads to the top of the mound where a circular path winds around the grassy knob.
Google Maps/Rodney Keene
Considering this ancient Native American burial mound was constructed between 250—150 BC, it's nothing short of a miracle it's survived!
You can see by the image below just how lucky Criel Mound is to have survived the urban growth in all directions.
Google Maps/Josh Stapler

Want to visit? The next time you’re in South Charleston, head over to Criel Mound and feel the presence of the past. It’s located at 301 7th Ave., South Charleston, WV 25303. Parking is located adjacent to the park. It’s open from dusk ’til dawn.

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