Glenwood Archaeological State Preserve

Located in Mills County adjoining the town of Glenwood, the Glenwood Archaeological State Preserve is a 900-acre preserve containing over 100 known archaeological sites, including a dense concentration of buried earth lodges once inhabited by Native Americans from A.D. 1150 to 1250.

Archaeology

Earthlodges were usually large, square-shaped structures with rounded corners, an entry ramp built in a shallow excavated basin, and supported by wooden posts. Inside there were work, sleep, and storage areas as well as a central hearth. Large storage pits were often excavated within the floor.

Nebraska phase settlements for the most part appear to have been single-lodge farmsteads. Larger earthlodges tended to occur in upland locations away from wooded areas, whereas smaller examples were found closer to drainageways.

Vegetation

Vegetation on the rolling landscape of the northern part of the preserve is mainly of grasslands managed as hayfields. Scattered cropfields are also present. Woodlands are common in the Foothills Park area on the southern edge of the preserve.

Directions

1. From I-29 west of Glenwood, Iowa, take exit 35 onto eastbound Highway 34 for 3.9 miles.
2. Turn south (right) onto Levi Road, then immediately into the entrance road to Foothills Park.
3. A hard-surface walking trails extends southeastward from the parking lot into the woodlands of Foothills Park. Additionally, grassy walking trails extend northeastward into the rolling grasslands of the main Preserve, extending via pedestrian tunnels under Highway 34.

Nearby Natural Area

Vincent Bluff State Preserve, a prairie remnant on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River Valley with vistas of the Council Bluffs and Omaha metropolitan area.

Contacts

Mills County Conservation Board