Shiloh in Hardin County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Vibrant Community

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 1, 2009

1. Vibrant Community Marker

Inscription.
Topped off with a temple, a chief's residence, or a governmental building, this mound served as the social and ceremonial focus of the community. The summit offered an unparalleled view of religious ceremonies, dances, games, and everyday activities on the plaza. The whole community, plus residents from nearby villages, gathered to celebrate the corn festival - the beginning of a new year - with feasting, rituals, and dancing. Crowds watched and bet on teams competing at games of chunkey and stickball. And on other days, townspeople went to the plaza to catch up on the news, to see what was happening and to be seen.

Stickball
Residents of Shiloh and neighboring towns competed in games of stickball, which was similar to lacrosse. The games were often rough and violent, resulting in serious injuries. Spectators wagered their clothing and valuables, sometimes everything they owned.

Game of Chunkey
Contestants rolled a chunkey stone across an open field and threw spears at the spot where they thought it would stop rolling.

Shiloh Indian Mounds National Historic Landmark

Erected by National Park Service, US Department

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of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Man-Made Features. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list.

Location. 35° 8.483′ N, 88° 19.25′ W. Marker is in Shiloh, Tennessee, in Hardin County. It is on Riverside Drive. Marker is in Shiloh Park near the Tennessee River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Shiloh TN 38376, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Maternal Clusters (a few steps from this marker); Surviving the Winter (within shouting distance

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 1, 2009

2. Vibrant Community Marker

of this marker); Signs of Prestige (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Major River Town (about 700 feet away); The Center of Town (about 700 feet away); Leaving Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shiloh Indian Mounds (approx. 0.2 miles away); 28th Illinois Infantry (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shiloh.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 22, 2020

3. Vibrant Community Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 381 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 14, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 3. submitted on March 24, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.