Near Coshocton in Coshocton County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Porteous Mound

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 12, 2020

1. The Porteous Mound Marker

Inscription. This earthen mound was built between 800 B.C. and 500 A.D. by prehistoric people who lived in this valley. The mound was used for ceremonial purposes. Unlike most other mounds in Ohio which were used for burials. The mound was first excavated in 1896 by W. K. Moorehead at which time the mound was 120 feet in diameter and 23 feet high.

Erected 1982 by Coshocton Class of 1982.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.

Location. 40° 13.935′ N, 81° 52.03′ W. Marker is near Coshocton, Ohio, in Coshocton County. It is on County Road 271 0.2 miles south of Papermill Road (County Road 270), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2888 Co Rd 271, Coshocton OH 43812, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Amish Country.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lichtenau (approx. one mile away); On This Corner (approx. 2.9 miles away); Saying Goodbye to J.J. Newberry's (approx. 2.9 miles away); Little Social Histories (approx. 2.9 miles away); The Chair (approx. 2.9 miles away);

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The Candy Department (approx. 2.9 miles away); J.J. Newberry (approx. 2.9 miles away); Edgar O. Selby (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coshocton.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 12, 2020

2. The Porteous Mound Marker

The mound as seen in the 1930s image. Click for full size.

Archived Picture

3. The mound as seen in the 1930s

The Porteous Mound image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 3, 2022

4. The Porteous Mound

Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2020, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,260 times since then and 147 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 14, 2020, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. 3. submitted on March 1, 2021, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. 4. submitted on September 5, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.