Hodgen's Cemetery Mound

Hodgens Cemetery Mound is an archaeological site located along the Ohio River shoreline in Jefferson County, featuring a cone-shaped earthwork with a tree growing from its top. The mound is encircled by gravestones from later burials, creating a layered record of use across multiple time periods.

The mound was constructed as a burial site by the Adena culture between 500 BCE and 100 CE, representing their distinctive building practices. In the 1800s, European settlers began adding their own graves to the location, layering new burial practices over the ancient earthwork.

The site blends indigenous burial traditions with 19th century American settlement, as settlers used it as a family cemetery after its original purpose. Visitors can observe how different periods of burial practices coexist in the same place, with modern gravestones surrounding the ancient earthwork.

The site sits directly on the Ohio River shoreline, making it accessible but requiring awareness of the water's proximity. The terrain is relatively open and walkable, though visitors should take care to respect the burial grounds and gravestones present there.

The southwestern side of the mound bears visible marks from modern grave digging, revealing the ongoing tension between archaeological preservation and cemetery use. These disturbances serve as a tangible reminder of how the site has been repurposed across different eras.