Tippecanoe Township in Battle Ground in Tippecanoe County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Village Structures

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 13, 2026

1. Village Structures Marker

Inscription. Every structure in the village served a purpose.

Cooking Area
Most food preparation and cooking took place outdoors. A cooking hearth provided space for a large open cooking fire. Large heavy kettles could be hung on different poles to control cooking temperatures. Cooking hearths were used for everyday meals and for special occasions, like the annual boiling of maple sap into syrup and sugar.

Shade Structure
Pole shade structures provided working areas protected from the sun and rain. Under a shade shelter, Native people conducted time-consuming tasks such as processing nuts, or making arrowheads and cordage. During the time of Prophetstown, canvas was a trade item and may have been used to create shade instead of evergreen limbs.

A-Frame
This structure, referred to as a double-conical or A-frame, is built in the Anishinaabe tradition. Anishinaabe includes Algonkin, Ojibway, and Odawa peoples, all represented at Prophetstown in 1808.

Some homes were bent pole, like the wigwam, and some were straight pole (lean-to) homes. This structure is covered with mats, and canvas, a trade item at the time of Prophetstown.

Wigwam
Wigwams

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

are domed, round homes used by many Native groups. A traditional wigwam consists of a frame of arched poles, covered with roofing material. Wigwams were covered with tree bark in winter, and cattail or reed mats in summer. Animal hides and later canvas cloth was placed over the top of the wigwam to repel rain and snow.

A fire pit in the center of the wigwam kept the family warm. The wigwam was for sleeping or for protection from bad weather.

Erected by Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1808.

Location. 40° 29.902′ N, 86° 49.777′ W. Marker is in Battle Ground, Indiana, in Tippecanoe County. It is in Tippecanoe Township. It is at the intersection of Indiana Route 225 and Pretty Prairie Road, on the right when traveling south on Indiana Route 225. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4265 State Route 225, Battle Ground IN 47920, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Indiana.

It is also in

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 13, 2026

2. Village Structures Marker

the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

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: Chief's Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Medicine Lodge (a few steps from this marker); Granary (within shouting distance of this marker); Woodland Indian Settlement (within shouting distance of this marker); Indiana State Parks (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Prophetstown Story (approx. 0.2 miles away); Indiana State Parks: the First 100 Years (approx. 0.2 miles away); Welcome to Prophetstown State Park (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Battle Ground.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 22, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.