Bainbridge in Ross County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Ceremonial Center
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Photographed By Craig Doda, November 18, 2018
1. Ceremonial Center Marker
About 2,000 years ago a massive geometric earthwork was built here. Composed of a
square and two circles, the earthwork served as a ceremonial center. One centrally located
mound-excavated and reconstructed in the early 20th century-is still visible today.
The mound stands as a monument to the ancient Hopewell buried here. But this place was
not just about the dead, it was also about the living.
Hopewell people gathered in this 121-acre earthwork enclosure to exchange goods,
conduct funerals, and take part in religious celebrations. Buildings stood nearby, inside
craftsmen likely fashioned ornaments and tools from exotic materials for use in the rituals
performed here. Hopewell men, women, and children likely worked side by side, building
the earthworks that stood here so long ago.
Follow the 1-mile trail (shown in red above) that leads
past the buildings and Seip-Pricer Mound, through the
interior of the earthworks, and to Paint Creek.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology
this page online
Location. 39° 14.417′ N, 83° 13.25′ W. Marker is in Bainbridge, Ohio, in Ross County. Marker is on U.S. 50, 0.1 miles west of Dill Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6969 US-50, Bainbridge OH 45612, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Ohio's Protector (here, next to this marker); Ancient Artists (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Anatomy of a Mound (approx. 0.2 miles away); Last Battle in the Scioto Country (approx. 0.9 miles away); Home of General Nathaniel Massie (approx. 4.2 miles away); PP African American Settlement / Eden Baptist Church (approx. 6.8 miles away); Concord Presbyterian Church (approx. 7.9 miles away); Salem Academy (approx. 8.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bainbridge.
Photographed By Craig Doda, November 18, 2018
2. Ceremonial Center Marker
Photographed By Craig Doda, November 18, 2018
3. Ceremonial Center Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 177 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 14, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
