Louden in Adams County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Exploring Serpent Mound - Frederic Ward Putnam
Photographed by Craig Doda, March 15, 2025
1. Exploring Serpent Mound - Frederic Ward Putnam Marker
"The most singular sensation of awe and admiration overwhelmed me... there seemed to come to me a picture as of a distant time, of a people with strange customs, and with it came the demand for an interpretation of this mystery. The unknown must become known."
Frederic Ward Putnam on his first visit to Serpent Mound
Much of what we know about Serpent Mound is due to the work of Frederic W. Putnam of Harvard University's Peabody Museum.
Putnam studied the site between 1887-1889. He excavated parts of Serpent Mound, three nearby burial mounds and a village site.
Putnam also helped to preserve Serpent Mound. He inspired his colleague at the Peabody Museum, Alice Fletcher, to raise money to purchase the site so that it could be preserved for future generations.
(caption:) Frederic W. Putnam's cross-section of the oval embankment at the Serpent's head. The oval may be the open mouth or eye of the Serpent or it may be an object in the Serpent's mouth.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities.
Location. 39° 1.467′ N, 83° 25.75′ W. Marker is in Louden, Ohio, in Adams County
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Ohio Hill Country. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Ohio River Valley, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern 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 Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Welcome To Serpent Mound (a few steps from this marker); Astronomical Alignments at Serpent Mound? (within shouting distance of this marker); Serpent Mound (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Who Built Serpent Mound? (within shouting distance of this marker); Burial Mound (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Village Site (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louden.
Other markers no longer nearby. Exploring Serpent Mound (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Serpent Mound Impact Crater (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Serpent In American Indian Traditions (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Shawnee And The King Of The Serpents (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); What Is An Effigy Mound?
Photographed by Craig Doda, March 15, 2025
2. Exploring Serpent Mound - Frederic Ward Putnam Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 293 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 18, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
