South Charleston in Kanawha County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Respect for an Ancient Culture

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

1. Respect for an Ancient Culture Marker

Inscription. For over 10,000 years, people have been drawn to the Kanawha River Valley. Arcadia encampments, like this, existed along the Kanawha River in 8500 B.C. Many mounds, including this South Charleston Creel Mound, were probably built around 500 B.C.

This interpretive exhibit, created to foster appreciation for the Kanawha Valley’s prehistoric era, was made possible by the collaborative efforts of several organizations and individuals.

This is a project of The Midland Trail Scenic Highway Association, Inc., Alice Hypes, Executive Director, Aaron Kenstler, Designer. Jointly funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation National Scenic Byways Program, the West Virginia Division of Highways Scenic Byways Program, Karen Ebert Allen, Director. The West Virginia Department of Commerce. The West Virginia Humanities Council, Ken Sullivan, Executive Director. Sustainable Kanawha Valley Initiative. The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation.

Consulting Archeologists: Darla I. Spencer, RPA, Robert F. Maslowski, Ph.D. Consulting Historian: Billy Joe Peyton, Ph.D. Artists: Bruce Erikson, Aaron Kenstler, Michael A. Hampshire, Susan Walton.
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With special thanks to the City of South Charleston, the South Charleston Historical Landmarks Commission, Margie Spence, President.

Resources: Mound Explorations of the Bureau of Ethnology. Cyrus Thomas, 1894. Ohio Archaeology. Brat T. Lepper, 2005. The Moundbuilders. George R. Milner, 2004. Encyclopedia of Prehistory, Vol. 6, Ch. 1 Adena, Peter N. Peregrine and Melvin Ember, 2001.

Erected 2010 by West Virginia Humanities Council; GKVF; Sustainable Kanawha Valley Initiative; Midland Trail National Scenic Highway; America's Byways.

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

Location. 38° 22.122′ N, 81° 41.823′ W. Marker is in South Charleston, West Virginia, in Kanawha County. It is on Oakes Avenue just north of 7th Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 253A 7th Ave, South Charleston WV 25303, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is

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

2. Respect for an Ancient Culture Marker

in Greater Charleston Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

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 territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Kanawha Valley Mound Builders (here, next to this marker); Adena Way of Life (here, next to this marker); Ancient 500 B.C. Culture Unearthed (a few steps from this marker); Adena Trade and Technology (a few steps from this marker); Indian Mound (within shouting distance of this marker); Burial Mound of the Adena Indians (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Vietnam War Memorial (about 400 feet away); World War II Memorial (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in South Charleston.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 262 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 4, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.