The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks in Ohio. (Photo via U.S. Department of Interior)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (CN) — An Ohio country club that refused to give up its lease for a site that is home to Native American earthworks believed to be roughly 2,000 years old took its fight to the Ohio Supreme Court on Tuesday.
The Ohio History Connection owns the Newark property where the Octagon Earthworks sit, which has been leased to the Moundbuilders Country Club since 1910. Under that lease, the public is guaranteed complete access to the earthworks for four days each year. The club further allows the public access to the cultural site on Mondays from November to March, and on Monday mornings from April to October as long as the club does not have a scheduled activity. A portion of the Octagon Earthworks is also available for viewing from a visitation area at any time.