Iowa’s history started a long time before it was a U.S. state, and many remnants of that history can still be found around the countryside. While the largest evidence of the rich Native American tradition of earthworks may be at Effigy Mounds National Monument, this unique part of Iowa’s landscape can also be seen on a more intimate scale in Wapello. Pay a visit to Toolesboro Mounds National Monument, step back in time, and discover why this is one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in Iowa.

Iowa is full of some great natural and historic monuments - but few as haunting as this one on the outskirts of Wapello.

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As you approach the national historic site, you’ll see the normally flat ground rising in mysterious, geometric, and surprisingly even mounds.

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The ground around the monument is covered with surprisingly lush greenery, adding to the hauntingly beautiful feel of the location.

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Some of the mounds are accessible to the public, but the majority are in the nearby woods and separated from the rest of the monument.

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At the nearby visitor’s center, you can explore everything the archaeologists know about these sacred Native burial mounds.

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Historic artifacts recovered from the area give us a small glimpse into this long bygone era and the culture that built these fascinating geometric mounds.

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As you relax in the small picnic area, it’s easy to get lost in the mysteries of this place. How did the people who build them make these mounds so large and so even?

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This is a sacred site, so while the mounds are open, it’s asked that no one trod directly on them to maintain respect for these ancient burial grounds that now stand as national monuments.

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Have you explored Iowa’s historic burial mounds and the national historic site surrounding them? Let us know about your experience in the comments. If you’re interested in paying a visit, make sure to visit the county site to learn more. Interested in a bigger exploration of Iowa’s famous Native earthworks? Check out the state’s most famous site.

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Address: Toolesboro Indian Mounds, 6568 Toolesboro Ave, Wapello, IA 52653, USA