From On the River
The first known peoples to inhabit the banks of the Grand River were called the Hopewell Indians. Research in this area was conducted by the University of Michigan between the years of 1963 and 1964, in which teams excavated the remnants of mounds found along the bank, as well as other in-between areas. The Hopewell excavation displayed evidence of the earliest agricultural society within the region, dating from 150 BCE to 300 CE. The mounds, which contained many of the artifacts found, were destroyed for development; the first road and sewer improvements were made during this time. Most reminiscent of this culture is the engraved turtle shells found in these burial mounds. Hopewell culture is known to have flourished from the Ohio Valley to the Kansas City area, with evidence of extensive trade with other Native Americans. A large battle is said to have taken place on the West bank of the river at what is now the streets of Fulton and Mount Vernon!
Information from the book: The Story of Grand River by Don Chrysler.
| 42° 57' 48" N, 85° 40' 46" WLatitude: 42.963248257066 Longitude: -85.67933678627 |
| Grand Rapids |
| West Side |
