Waapaahsiki Siipiiwi Mound Historical Park
Transcript
Greetings, in May of 2023 during a camping trip to Shakamak State Park my wife and I visited the Waapaahsiki Siipiiwi Mound Historical Park. The park is located about 2 miles west of Indiana State Road 63 in Sullivan County about 2 miles southwest of the village of Fairbanks, Indiana. It is on the south side of the road, left side if going west.
The Wabash River is about 1/2 mile to the west, but not visible from the park. This is a nice, well maintained park with many animals and other carved figures carved in wood. The animals include a bear, buffalo, an eagle and various other creatures. There are carved Amerindian figures here, as well as a huge totem pole in a centerpiece near the entrance to the park. I mention these figures first, as they form the first impressions of the park.
As we parked, one of the mounds at the park is visible near the parking lot. It rises about 20 – 30 feet above the surrounding countryside. It grassy and well mowed with a bark path leading to the top of the mound. We walked to the top and stood, admiring the view from the apex.
There is a second mound on the other side of the road, just a short distance away. A well maintained path leads to, and around it.
There is also a path leading all around the mound, which we walked. There are a couple of structures here, a pavilion that would serve as a great spot for a picnic. The shelter may be reserved for events. Search for Waapaahsiki Siipiiwi Mound Historical Park on Facebook for their page where you can message them. A ceremonial ring with a structure in the center occupies a field to the south of the mounds. There is no charge to visit the park or reserve the structure, however there is a donation box near the entrance for visitors to deposit a donation. I will place a link to the Waapaahsiki Siipiiwi in both the podcast description and the You Tube version. Interested listeners that want to see photos of the site can visit the Mossy Feet Books You Tube Channel.
The name “Waapaahsiki” translates from Miami language as “the reflective waters of the Wabash River.” The Indiana Michigan Power Company owns the site. The Indiana State Senator John Waterman, along with the Sullivan County American Indian Council contacted the company with the concept of preserving the site in 2007. The Anthropology Department at Indiana University was contacted and arranged to have a long term study conducted at the site to determine its historical significance. A archaeological dig took place at the site during the 2010 – 2011 season. Numerous artifacts have been found.
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