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West Virginia History

No One Knows Exactly What Lies Buried Beneath This Mysterious Two-Thousand-Year-Old Mound In West Virginia

By Cristy | Published August 29, 2020

West Virginia is a land of history and mystery. But nothing is more mysterious or fascinating than the remnants of her most ancient inhabitants, including the several massive burial mounds found in various places around the state. And this untouched mound in Romney might hid the most secrets of them all!

Not far from the scenic South Branch of the Potomac River, off US Route 50, lies the historic and beautiful Indian Mound Cemetery. Situated just outside the town of Romney, Indian Mound Cemetery is a peaceful place to walk and reflect on history, both ancient and less ancient.

This site has been a burial ground for perhaps millennia. The modern cemetery centers on a 15-foot diameter ancient burial mound thought to date back to the Hopewellian Era — possibly 2,000 years ago. This Indian mound, the largest in the state's eastern panhandle, is also possibly the only mound east of the Allegheny Mountains that has been preserved.

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Today, the Romney Indian Mound stands topped by pines, framed by the Alleghenies, and shrouded in the mysteries of time long past.

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It is also surrounded by more recent historical artifacts of interest. Ruins of Fort Pearsall, a frontier fort constructed in 1756 and used during the French and Indian War, lie on the grounds here.

The cemetery itself was the site of the Battle of Romney during the Civil War; both northern and southern soldiers were buried here during the course of the war. Possibly the first memorial to Confederate soldiers was also erected here in 1867 and still stands.

The entrance is marked by the picturesque Parsons Bell Tower, built in 1925.

The next time you're here, slip inside the wrought iron fence and enjoy the many eras of history preserved within the Indian Mound Cemetery.

For directions to Indian Mound Cemetery, visit this Google Maps link.

For another glimpse into the ancient past, this one a little more clear, visit the Delf Norona Museum in Moundsville.

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Romney, WV 26757, USA