Exploring Cross Mound Park in Stoutsville, Ohio
Even the smallest locations can sometimes offer so much to learn about and explore! Today, we are heading to Cross Mound Park--a little park in the Fairfield County Ohio Park District--that has a cool, historical claim to fame. The Cross Mound Park is home to the Cross Mound, a cross shaped, ancient earthwork near Salt Creek--with its points nearly aligning with the Cardinal directions. While the builders of the ancient mound are unknown--and the mound's purpose as well--it is an important reminder of the Native American tribes inhabiting the area so long ago. In addition to the Cross Mound, the Cross Mound Park also houses the WPA Pedestrian Bridge that crosses Salt Creek.
.jpg "The Cross Mound Park sign welcomes visitors to the park")
Visiting Cross Mound Park in Stoutsville, Ohio
The parking lot is located immediately inside the park entrance with a covered shelter house within an easy walk from the parking area.
.jpg "The Cross Mound Park has a covered shelter house with picnic tables")
The WPA Pedestrian Bridge
.jpg "The WPA Pedestrian Bridge crosses Salt Creek in the Cross Mound Park")
Originally built in 1936, this bridge is the only remaining WPA project in Fairfield County, Ohio. The WPA (Works Projects Administration), originally called the Works Progress Administration, was created by President Roosevelt during the Great Depression to offer jobs for people to work on public works projects like bridges, roads, school buildings, etc. This pedestrian bridge, restored in 2017, is a suspension style bridge spanning Salt Creek.
.jpg "The view down Salt Creek from the WPA Bridge in Fairfield County, Ohio")
The Hike to the Cross Mound
.jpg "A sign directs visitors to the trail toward the Cross Mound")
A gravel and dirt trail takes visitors through the park from the suspension bridge to the fenced off cross mound. It is a short, secluded hike with a couple of rolling hills. The park sits in the middle of a residential area, so the park lands butt against private property beyond the surrounding woods.
.jpg "ATree lined dirt trail takes visitors through the Cross Mound Park")
.jpg "Views from the trail in the Cross Mound Park")
Viewing the Cross Mound
A fence surrounds the Cross Mound. The Cross Mound has the shape of a cross, with four identical arms each about 12′ wide, 3′ high and 45′ long. In the middle of the cross is a circular-shaped depression that is 20′ in diameter and about 12″ deep. The arms of the cross nearly align with the cardinal points of north, south, east, west. There are small stone mounds near the cross as well.
.jpg "View across Cross Mound in Stoutsville Ohio")
The purposes of the Cross Mound as well as the smaller mounds are unknown. This mound complex may have once been part of the Great Hopewell Road--a 62 mile pathway that once connected the Newark Earthworks to either the Hopeton Earthworks or the High Banks Earthworks.
.jpg "Mounds of Stone near the Cross Mound")
If you Visit The Cross Mound
Plan about an Hour.
The site is fairly small, with a short trail leading from the WPA bridge to the mound. We probably spent about 40 minutes at the site.
Pack a picnic lunch. The picnic area is small, but if you enjoy packing along a lunch--there is space with a few tables.
The Cross Mound is Pet Friendly. Leashed pets are also allowed on park grounds.
Dining in the Area. The area surrounding Stoutsville/Tarlton is pretty rural. I would recommend packing a picnic--or visiting Crosstown Creamery & Diner in nearby Tarlton for ice cream afterwards. We visited in the mid-afternoon and stopped at Crosstown Creamery for milkshakes and they were very good.
Other Activities in the Area. This park is within a reasonable drive to the cities of Lancaster or Circleville. Both have dining, antique and shopping options as well as other parks and hiking areas. Additionally, the edge of the Hocking Hills region is nearby.
The Cross Mound is a unique stop for those interested in the Moundbuilders of Ohio. This park has the added opportunity of learning about the WPA projects of the Great Depression with the historical pedestrian, cross suspension bridge.
Details about the Site Featured Here:
The Cross Mound Park
1 comments
Such a cool place. I would love to visit there.
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