Newark in Licking County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Circle

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2022

1. The Circle Marker

View of the marker situated at the top of the observation platform.

Inscription. A unique feature of the circle is the so-called crown work opposite the opening to the octagon. This oval mound is 170 feet long and approximately 8 feet higher than the adjoining portions of the circle. Since the mid-19th century, this mound has been called the observatory because it overlooks the rest of the circle and octagon.

Recently, some researches noticed that a line drawn from the observatory to the opposite side of the octagon points to the location on the horizon where the moon rises at its most northerly position. If the Hopewell people intended for the earthworks to be oriented toward the rising moon, then the name observatory may be especially appropriate.

Erected by Ohio Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Native Americans.

Location. 40° 3.19′ N, 82° 26.786′ W. Marker is in Newark, Ohio, in Licking County. Marker is on N 33rd Street near Parkview Road. This marker is located at the Moundbuilders Country Club, on a raised wooden observation platform, that is situated between the parking lot on the north side of the Moundbuilders Country Club, and the earthworks of the Octagon Mound complex. Touch for map

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. Marker is at or near this postal address: 125 N 33rd Street, Newark OH 43055, 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. The Octagon (here, next to this marker); The Newark Earthworks (here, next to this marker); History of the Site (here, next to this marker); The Builders (here, next to this marker); Octagon Earthworks (within shouting distance of this marker); The Observatory Mound (approx. ¼ mile away); Great Circle Earthworks (approx. 1.1 miles away); Earthen Architecture (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newark.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2022

2. The Circle Marker

Close-up view of the diagram depicting overhead view of Octagon Earthwork that is featured on this marker.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2022

3. The Circle Marker

View of the observation platform that the marker is situated on. Note the Moundbuilders earthwork that is situated along the base of the observation platform.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2022

4. The Circle Marker

View of the Octagon Earthworks marker in the foreground, with a distant view of the observation platform, that this marker is located on, in the background.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2022

5. The Circle Marker

View of the landscape, and the Octagon Earthworks, as seen from the top of the observation platform.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2022, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 98 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 17, 2022, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.