Near Alto in Cherokee County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Mound Prairie
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 6971.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Man-Made Features • Native Americans. 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. Marker 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.
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. ¼ 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.
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 2,420 times since then and 87 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 Humble, Texas. 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 Humble, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.