Jeffers Mound – Hidden History of Ohio’s Ancient Past

Jeffers Mound is in Worthington, Ohio, the suburbs just outside Columbus. The prehistoric earthwork is a peaceful yet powerful link to the region’s ancient heritage.  

We pulled up to the mound after driving through a nice neighborhood just after 7:30 in the morning. The mound rises modestly from a residential street. 

The skies were clear, and the sun lit up the mound. As we walked around, it was wild to think about all the nice houses surrounding it, and somehow, it survived.

Visiting Jeffers Mound

A couple of interpretive panels tell the story of the mound’s origins and the Hopewell people’s ceremonial life.  Visiting the site feels more like stepping into a sacred space than a typical tourist stop. 

The Hopewell people, known for their elaborate earthworks and extensive trade networks, built this mound on a bluff overlooking the Olentangy River. Initially, the site featured a rectangular embankment, two circular enclosures, and a more miniature central mound, all aligned with the cardinal points (north, south, east, and west) and spanning about eight acres.

Today, Jeffers Mound is all that remains of the ceremonial Worthington Earthworks site built by the Hopewell people over 1,500 years ago. It once stood at the center of a sprawling complex of earthworks aligned with celestial patterns. Near the mound is a set of wooden markers that trace the footprint of one of the long-gone rectangular buildings.

Operated by the Worthington Historical Society, Jeffers Mound is free to visit and open year-round. Walking around the site is encouraged, but to preserve its fragile structure, do not climb the mound.

If you are in the Columbus area, stop at Jeffers Mound. You will not regret it. We only spent about 15 minutes there and had the place to ourselves.