"Portions of the mound are no longer visible, and an entire housing community has been built around around the mound but it is definitely amazing and worth checking out if you're in the area. The view from here is unbelievable and there are other mounds nearby if you're making a day of it. Parking is on street and there's no tickets to buy."

Jason Stanley

"Alligator Mound is underwhelming. We only visited on the way home from Newark’s Earthworks so it was not out of our way. The effigy mound was barely visible and is on top of mound/hill. It’s not up to scale as other earthworks like the Great Circle, Octagon or Serpent Mound which all have greater dimensions and some sort of significance like solar/lunar or ceremonial. It’s free but parking is just the street that circles around the mound. The view of Granville is spectacular."

Nancy

"The Alligator Mound is a rare effigy earthwork built over 1,000 years ago, right here in my neighborhood, Bryn Du Woods. While it’s much smaller than the Serpent Mound or Newark’s Octagon Earthworks, it’s just as significant.

Scholars now believe it may not be an “alligator” at all, but a representation of the Underwater Panther from Native American mythology — a powerful guardian of water and balance in nature.

What makes it special is its rarity (one of only two effigy mounds in Ohio), its ceremonial purpose (not a burial mound, but likely spiritual in nature), and the fact that it has been preserved for centuries. It’s even listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Small in size but huge in meaning — this is one of Granville’s most unique treasures and definitely worth a visit!

Free parking on the street and a spectacular view.
Bring a picnic and blanket and hangout for a while enjoying the scenery and history.

Afterwards, head to downtown Granville and visit a coffee shop, checkout our local shops, or grab a bite at Alfie’s, Three tigers, The Granville Inn, Broadway Pub, or other local restaurant."

Ethan Nadolson