About two thousand years ago they built a stone wall that encloses 150 acres on a hilltop known as Spruce Hill in the scenic Paint Valley river corridor in the Arc of Appalachia region, west of Chillicothe and near Hopewell Culture National Historical Park.

In 2007, the Spruce Hill property, nearly 240 acres, was to be up for public auction and could have been lost to the public.  The Archaeological Conservancy, a local land trust, wanted to purchase the land in order to preserve it. The Fund provided a loan to the Archaeological Conservancy so they could purchase the property before it went up for public auction.  But this was just the start. Since 2007, additional acres surrounding the property have been saved thanks to the hard work of local organizations and residents.

Who Were The Hopewell?

The Hopewell people lived in small, scattered villages throughout southern Ohio from about 100 B.C.E. to 400 A.C.E.  They are known for their mounds and walls as well as arts and rituals.

Learn More

For more about the Hopewell, visit the Ohio Historical Society
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
Places We Protect: Historic Lands