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Toolesboro Indian Mounds: Echoes of the Hopewell Culture

Explore ancient burial mounds and discover the fascinating Hopewell culture at this National Historic Landmark in southeast Iowa.

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The Toolesboro Indian Mounds, near Wapello, Iowa, are a group of seven burial mounds built by the Hopewell culture between 200 BC and 300 AD. These mounds offer a glimpse into the lives and traditions of the Middle Woodland people who once thrived in the region. The site includes a visitor center with exhibits and a reconstructed prairie.

A brief summary to Toolesboro Indian Mounds

Local tips

  • Visit the Educational Center to view artifacts and learn more about the Hopewell culture.
  • Explore the grounds and take a walk around the visible mounds.
  • Wear comfortable shoes, as exploring the mounds involves walking on uneven terrain.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    The Toolesboro Indian Mounds are located at 6568 Toolesboro Ave, Wapello, IA 52653. From Wapello, head east on Iowa 99 for approximately 3 miles. Turn north onto Toolesboro Avenue. The mounds will be on your right. Parking is available at the visitor center.

  • Public Transport

    The Louisa County Transit provides public transportation options within Louisa County. From Wapello, you may be able to arrange a ride to Toolesboro. Contact Louisa County Transit for schedules and fare information. Once in Toolesboro, the mounds are a short walk from the main road.

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Discover more about Toolesboro Indian Mounds

The Toolesboro Indian Mounds stand as a testament to Iowa's Hopewell culture, a group of Middle Woodland people who lived in the area from around 200 BC to 400 AD. These people were skilled hunters, gatherers, and gardeners who built villages along rivers and streams. The mounds themselves served as ceremonial centers and burial sites for high-status individuals. Originally, there may have been as many as twelve mounds at the Toolesboro site, but settlement and excavation have reduced the number to seven. Of these, only two are visible on the grounds of the Educational Center, while the remaining five are located in an adjacent woodlot. The largest of the remaining mounds, known as Mound 2, is 100 feet in diameter and eight feet in height. The Toolesboro site was donated to the state of Iowa in 1963, and it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966. Today, the State Historical Society of Iowa manages the mounds and the museum. Visitors can explore the grounds, visit the Educational Center to view artifacts and learn about the Hopewell culture, and reflect on the lives of those who came before. The grounds are open from sunrise to sunset.

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