Horseshoe Lake Mound and Village Site

Horseshoe Lake Mound and Village Site is an archaeological location near Horseshoe Lake in Illinois with a platform temple mound and house foundations scattered across roughly 17 acres. The excavated remains reveal how people organized their settlement around the central ceremonial structure.

The site was inhabited between 600 and 1050 AD and functioned as a dependent community within the larger Cahokia system. Its development was tied to the rise and expansion of that powerful regional center.

Archaeological excavations at the site revealed pottery, tools, and burial artifacts that document the daily activities of prehistoric Native American communities.

The site lies southwest of where Illinois Route 111 meets Horseshoe Lake Road in Granite City. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since the terrain is uneven with visible mounds and excavated areas.

Among the five known third-line communities tied to the Cahokia system, this location preserves the most complete structural remains. This level of preservation offers rare insight into how subordinate communities were laid out and built.

Location: Madison County

GPS coordinates: 38.70420,-90.06860

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:07