The Ohio History Connection has reached an agreement with Moundbuilders Country Club in Newark to acquire the Octagon Earthworks site, ending a long-standing legal dispute over the ancient ceremonial and burial site previously located on the club’s grounds. The specific financial details of the deal remain confidential, as outlined in the settlement agreement. This resolution averts a scheduled jury trial that was repeatedly delayed to determine the fair market value of the site.
The Octagon Earthworks are part of the Hopewell Earthworks system, which received recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site last year, comprising eight historic areas. The Ohio History Connection, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the state’s history, will assume control of the site on January 1 and intends to make it accessible to the public.
Ohio History Connection’s Executive Director and CEO, Megan Wood, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing the importance of enabling public access to the Octagon Earthworks while ensuring fair compensation for Moundbuilders Country Club. Charles Moses, president of the organization’s board of trustees, looks forward to welcoming visitors from Ohio and beyond to the site.
Constructed by Native Americans of the Hopewell Culture around 2,000 to 1,600 years ago, the earthworks hosted significant ceremonies that attracted participants from across the continent. These intricate structures include earthen walls aligned with lunar movements, serving as both a sacred space and an astronomical observatory.
Despite the historical society owning the disputed site, it had been under lease to the country club for an extended period. The valuation of the site had been a point of contention, with Ohio History Connection estimating it at around $2 million, while the club sought a higher amount.
The preservation efforts of the Octagon Earthworks date back to 1892 when the surrounding community voted to safeguard the site. The area was later developed into a golf course in 1911, with the property deeded to Moundbuilders Country Club in 1933. In 2019, a county judge ruled in favor of the historical society’s right to reclaim the lease through eminent domain, leading to the subsequent legal battle.
While the Moundbuilders Country Club has not yet provided a statement regarding the recent agreement, the Ohio History Connection’s acquisition of the Octagon Earthworks marks a significant milestone in the preservation and accessibility of this culturally and historically rich site.
