Clarksburg in Harrison County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Oak Mounds
Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 31, 2021
1. Oak Mounds Marker
Erected by West Virginia Department of Culture and History.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1969.
Location. 39° 16.16′ N, 80° 21.806′ W. Marker is in Clarksburg, West Virginia, in Harrison County. Marker is on Clarksburg Park Way (West Virginia Route 98) 0.4 miles south of Milford Street (U.S. 19), on the left when traveling south. It is at one of the entrances to the V.A. Medical Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Clarksburg WV 26301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Veterans Administration Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); John Simpson (approx. 1.1 miles away); Daniel Davisson Chapter NSDAR (approx. 1.2 miles away); Daniel Davisson DAR Cemetery (approx. 1.2 miles away); Daniel Davisson (approx. 1.2 miles away); Clarksburg Defenses
this page online
More about this marker. This "temporary" tin marker may be a verbatim replica of the original cast-metal monopole marker that stood across the river on U.S. 19 near Armory Road. The Wikipedia entry for Oak Mounds has this to say about this marker:
An incorrectly worded historical marker sign is located on West Virginia Route 98 near the Veterans Administration Hospital. The sign erroneously states the direction the mounds relative to the sign itself, however the mounds are actually to the west, on the far side of the West Fork River, and not “Directly to the east...”The original marker on Route 19 correctly pointed to the mounds’ location. This one does not.
Regarding Oak Mounds. The mounds are actually south-southwest from this marker and across the river. They are next to the Oak Mound Evangelical Church at 401 Oak Mound Road.
Also see . . . Wikipedia entry for Mound Builders
Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 31, 2021
2. Oak Mounds Marker
The various cultures collectively termed “Mound Builders” were prehistoric, indigenous inhabitants of North America who, during a 5,000-year period, constructed various styles of earthen mounds for religious, ceremonial, burial, and elite residential purposes. These included the pre-Columbian cultures of the Archaic period, Woodland period (Calusa culture, Adena and Hopewell cultures), and Mississippian period; dating from roughly 3500 BCE (the construction of Watson Brake) to the 16th century CE, and living in regions of the Great Lakes, the Ohio River Valley, and the Mississippi River valley and its tributary waters.(Submitted on June 3, 2021.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 346 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 3, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
