Point Pleasant in Mason County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Water Panther Stone

(A Petroglyph)

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 31, 2021

1. Water Panther Stone Marker

Inscription. Believed to have been a Shawnee altar stone made by the Water Panther Clan, which was Cornstalk's Clan, this stone was found at nearby Leon, WV, at 10-Mile Creek. The spiral shape of the tail is believed to represent the whirlpools that were in the Kanawha River at the time. The Shawnee purportedly believed that it would drag the evil spirits to the bottom of the river. The different levels of the steps indicate where the Shawnee placed offerings to their gods.

Erected by West Virginia State Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 38° 50.374′ N, 82° 8.463′ W. Marker is in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in Mason County. It is on Main Street just south of 1st Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Main St, Point Pleasant WV 25550, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Virginia’s Mid-Ohio Valley. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern 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 Viceroyalty of New France

and also the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Chief Cornstalk (a few steps from this marker); The Mansion House (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonel Andrew Lewis (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Ann Bailey (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle of Point Pleasant (within shouting distance of this marker); The Sallie Marmet Anchor (within shouting distance of this marker); Revolutionary Soldiers (within shouting distance of this marker); Liberty Tree (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Point Pleasant.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Chief Cornstalk (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Water Panther Stone Display image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 31, 2021

2. Water Panther Stone Display

Photographed by Craig Doda, December 25, 2021

3. The Stone

Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,197 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 3, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on January 5, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.