Book documents at least 10 ancient Indian mounds in Wilcox County

Alabama Indigenous Mound Trail Map

A few weeks ago, before the weather turned cold, I went on a paddling trip to Mound Island, which is deep in the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta in Baldwin County. Because of its remote location in this dense, jungle-like delta, the only way you can get reach this island is by boat. With that said, Mound Island still receives a fair number of visitors, especially from history buffs, because this secluded island is the home of the prehistoric Bottle Creek Indian Mounds.

On the day of our trip, we launched three canoes and a pair of kayaks at the Rice Creek Landing near Stockton and paddled across Briar Lake and the Tensaw River before following Bayou Jessamine to Bottle Creek and Mound Island. Take my word for it when I say that this is a physically demanding trip, and I wouldn’t suggest going alone or without a guide. Simply put, Mound Island is one of the most remote places I’ve ever been to within the borders of Alabama.

When we reached the island, we followed a dim trail through the thick forest to the foot of the largest mound on the island, where we found a weathered sign that said that the island’s mounds were designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1994. We then climbed to the mound’s summit and began to realize the immense amount of work it took to build an earthwork that size in such a remote place. We eventually hiked back to our boats, ate a quick lunch and paddled back to Rice Creek Landing.

I like to think that I’ve done a lot of exploring in my day, but Mound Island is one of the most fascinating places I’ve ever been to in Alabama. Later at home, I did some more research and learned that researchers believe that Indians occupied Mound Island between 1250 and 1550 and that the island contains at least 18 mounds. Archaeologists theorize that these mounds have been relatively undisturbed over the years due to their remote location.

All of this got me to thinking about Indian mounds in Wilcox County. The best source that I know of regarding Indian mounds in Alabama is an old book called “Alabama Encyclopedia, Vol. I: Book of Facts,” which was published in 1965 by the American Southern Publishing Co. in Northport. 

According to that book, there is a group of three Indian mounds four miles south of Furman and there’s another mound about three-fourths of a mile southwest of Webb’s Landing on the Alabama River. That book goes on to say that there is an “extensive mound” at Burford’s Crossing, about a half-mile south of Holly Ferry on the Alabama River.

Another Wilcox County mound can be found about three miles north of the mouth of Pine Barren Creek, on the south side, about 100 feet from the bank. This mound is four feet high and 100 feet in diameter, according to the “Alabama Encyclopedia.” In addition, a group of four mounds can be found near Matthews Landing on the Alabama River.

I feel sure that at some point in the state’s past, a survey was done to locate and identify Indian mounds statewide. It would be interesting to know what this research has to say about Indian mounds in Wilcox County. More than likely, we’d discover that we drive by or live near Indian sites that we’ve forgotten or failed to recognize over the years.

In 2018, the University of Alabama’s Office of Archaeological Resources and Center for Economic Development established what’s known as the Alabama Indigenous Mound Trail to celebrate the state’s ancient monumental architecture. Currently, there are no Wilcox County sites on this trail. The closest site to Wilcox County is the mound at the Old Cahawba Archeological Park in Dallas County.

In the end, I’d like to hear from anyone with more information about Indian mounds in Wilcox County. I’d love to see these places for myself and document their locations for future generations. Local sites are bound to be easier to get to than Mound Island, so if you’re up for a field trip to a local Indian mound, please let me know.