Covington in Kenton County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Ancient Civilizations

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 4, 2023

1. Ancient Civilizations Marker, Side One

Inscription. Native tribes settled in Northern Kentucky over 12,000 years ago. Banklick Creek and nearby hills were home to deer, bears, and other animals for hunting. The people gathered wild plants & lived in family groups. By the 12th century, tribes lived in small villages & grew maize & squash. Many sites have been discovered & researched in NKY.

In 1925, UK researchers located and studied a burial mound and campsite near here. The mound, 15 ft. in diameter & 4 ft. high, held a triple-walled stone grave in the center with several burials surrounding, likely from the Ft. Ancient people. Pioneer Park was later developed on the site & opened in 1976.
Sponsored by Kenton County Historical Society

Erected 2021 by Kentucky Historical Society • Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 2635.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location. 39° 0.28′ N, 84° 32.243′ W.

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Marker is in Covington, Kentucky, in Kenton County. It can be reached from Madison Pike north of Mary Laidley Road, on the left when traveling north. Marker is in Pioneer Park. It is in the parking lot between Francisco Cordero Field and the picnic pavilion. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3952 Madison Pike, Ft Mitchell KY 41017, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Outer Bluegrass. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Ohio River Valley.

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

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: 3-L (LLL) Highway (approx. one mile away); Confederate Financier / Confederate Benefactor (approx. 2.9 miles away); Beechwood Historic District (approx. 2.9 miles away); Fort Wright (approx. 3.3 miles away); Latonia Race Track (approx. 3.4 miles away); Timberlake

Ancient Civilizations Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 4, 2023

2. Ancient Civilizations Marker, Side Two

(approx. 3.4 miles away); Erlanger Depot (approx. 3.4 miles away); Erlanger Depot / Erlanger Proper Subdivision (approx. 3.4 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. Fort Ancient. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on August 19, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Ancient Civilizations. The earliest documented groups of people living and shaping the valleys of what would become Kenton County occurred during the Archaic period, (8,000 BC-1,000 BC). (Amanda L. Higgins, ExploreKYHistory) (Submitted on March 7, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Ancient Civilizations Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 4, 2023

3. Ancient Civilizations Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 967 times since then and 150 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 7, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.