Story Mound (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Story Mound was a large, conical earthwork located in Cincinnati, Ohio, part of a larger complex of mounds and enclosures known as the Cincinnati Works. It stood near the intersection of Fifth and Mound Streets. The mound was significantly reduced in size due to gravel removal beginning in the late 18th century and was completely leveled by 1832 to make way for urban development.

It is believed to have been constructed by people of the Hopewell culture, who inhabited the Ohio River Valley from approximately 200 BC to 500 AD. Artifacts recovered from the mound during its destruction included human remains, pottery, and copper ornaments, suggesting it served as a burial site. These artifacts were not systematically documented or preserved to modern archaeological standards, limiting the information available about the mound's specific function and the individuals interred within it.

The destruction of Story Mound, along with other mounds in the Cincinnati area, highlights the loss of significant archaeological heritage during the early development of the United States. Its history is primarily known through early accounts and sketches predating its removal, and anecdotal references.