Stoney Ridge in Dayton in Montgomery County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The First Americans

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 28, 2025

1. The First Americans Marker

Inscription. Around 15,000 years ago during the Pleistocene, people migrated from eastern Siberia into the Americas. Although it was possible to reach Alaska by foot, glaciers blocked further movement. The earliest explorers traveled along the coasts in small boats. People came to the Americas in multiple waves and traveled overland after the glaciers receded.

Did you know?
The Pleistocene Epoch (Ice Age) began about 2.6 million years ago and lasted until 11,700 years ago.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities.

Location. 39° 43.011′ N, 84° 13.9′ W. Marker is in Dayton, Ohio, in Montgomery County. It is in Stoney Ridge. It is on West River Road 1½ miles south of Nicholas Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2315 W River Road, Dayton OH 45417, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Miami Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the

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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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Paleo-Indian 9300-8000 B.C. (here, next to this marker); Archaic 8000-1000 B.C. (a few steps from this marker); Early Woodland People (a few steps from this marker); Middle Woodland A.D. 50-450 (a few steps from this marker); Late Woodland A.D. 450-1000 (within shouting distance of this marker); What Is Fort Ancient Culture? (within shouting distance of this marker); Who Lived Here And How Long Ago? (within shouting distance of this marker); The Vance Farm (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayton.

SunWatch Indian Village & Archaeological Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 28, 2025

2. SunWatch Indian Village & Archaeological Park

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 81 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 3, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.