Near Alto in Cherokee County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Mound Prairie
Photographed by Brian Anderson, July 28, 2018
1. Mound Prairie Marker - post-refurbishment
Excavations during 1939-41 and 1968-69 showed two of the mounds to have had ceremonial purposes. One may have been capped with bright yellow clay and both apparently supported temples. The tallest mound (about 20 feet) revealed several major burials.
The village, surrounding the mounds but not settled before they were built, contained many round houses that probably resembled giant bee hives. Thousands of pot fragments, some pipes, charred corn cobs and nuts, and flint points were found in the area.
Centuries after its abandonment by the Indians, this region was again a center of civilization when, in 1690, the first Spanish mission in East Texas was built nearby to minister to the Tejas Indians.
Erected 1970 by Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Man-Made Features. In addition, it is included in the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail series list.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 31° 35.596′ N, 95° 9.092′ W. Marker was near Alto, Texas, in Cherokee County. It was on State Highway 21 6.2 miles west of Marcus Street (U.S. 69), on the right when traveling east. Marker is located across the highway from Caddo Mounds State Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 1649 State Highway 21 West, Alto TX 75925, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Piney Woods. Globally, it was in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: High Temple Mound (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Village Life (approx. 0.2 miles away); Borrow Pit (approx. 0.2 miles away); Low Platform Mound (approx. 0.2 miles away); Natural Spring (approx. Ό mile away); Burial Mound (approx. 0.3 miles away); Waystation for Travelers and Traders (approx. 0.3 miles away); Travel Encounters (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alto.
Another marker is no longer nearby.
Photographed by Brian Anderson, July 28, 2018
2. Mound Prairie Marker
Note that you can no longer climb to the top of the mound and the marker once located on top of the mound has been removed.
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, March 26, 2023
3. Damaged Mound Prairie Marker
Reported damaged by tornado 2/5/21
Photographed by Richard Denney
4. Caddo Mounds Panorama and Marker
Photo looking southeast
Photographed by Richard Denney
5. Panorama from the top mound
Looking northwest. Back of marker visible lower left of photo.
Photographed by Brian Anderson, July 28, 2018
6. Mound Prairie
All three mounds which make up "Mound Prairie" are visible in this photo.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2009, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 3,608 times since then and 123 times this year. Last updated on March 29, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 8, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. 3. submitted on March 29, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 4, 5. submitted on July 28, 2009, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 6. submitted on August 8, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
