Glenford Fort

Glenford Fort encloses a little more then 27 acres on a ridge top 200’ above Jonathan Creek in the Muskingum River drainage system. Unrestored and undeveloped, this fort is significant as one of only a very few surviving hilltop enclosures. Its 6,610’ long walls are constructed solely of stone from the sandstone caprock of the ridge. Originally the walls were probably 7’-20’ in height, but today average 1’-1.5’ high. Even back in 1820, Caleb Atwater wrote,” these stones lie in utmost disorder.”

In common with the Hopewell forts, the walls of Glenford Fort follow the outline of the hilltop and are absent where natural defenses—in this case an overhanging ledge—provided adequate protection. An entrance with re-entrant walls opened onto a narrow neck connecting the fort hill to the adjacent upland. In the western portion of the enclosure stood a stone mound described by Cyrus Thomas in 1894 as 12’ high and 100’ in diameter. (In At water’s earlier, but highly stylized map of the site, this mound was placed in the center of the enclosure.)

In it stone construction, Glenford Fort is unique among the forts. However, there were other stone forts, perhaps most notable the one in Spruce Hill in Ross county, Ohio.

Directions” Follow Ohio route 757 S from Glenford about .5 miles, then E on Township road 19 for .2 miles to the Cooperrider farm. A primitive footpath reaches the fort.

Public use: Restrictions: This is an undeveloped site on private property. Visitors are requested to ask permission from the landowner before visiting the fort.

For additional information: contact: The Don Cooperrider Family, 4265 Twp. Rd. 19, N.W., Glenford, Oh. 43739.

Below is a map:



Back to mounds page

Page created and owned by: Painted Turtle