From Wikitravel

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site[1] is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Illinois.

[edit] Understand

The site is actually the largest Pre-Colombian city north of Mexico and formerly had a population of around 15,000, the main aspect of the park are the 69 man made mounds, the largest of which is the Monks Mound which is around 100ft tall. The rest of the site is spread around and basically consists of a lot of grass mounds that vary in size.

[edit] History

UNESCO's reason for inscribing it on the World Heritage List: "Cahokia Mounds, some 13 km north-east of St Louis, Missouri, is the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico. It was occupied primarily during the Mississippian period (800–1400), when it covered nearly 1,600 ha and included some 120 mounds. It is a striking example of a complex chiefdom society, with many satellite mound centres and numerous outlying hamlets and villages. This agricultural society may have had a population of 10–20,000 at its peak between 1050 and 1150. Primary features at the site include Monks Mound, the largest prehistoric earthwork in the Americas, covering over 5 ha and standing 30 m high."

[edit] Landscape

Cahokia mounds is in the Mid-Western Plains a few miles from the banks of the Mississippi River.

[edit] Climate

Moderate, seasonal weather, but storms can occur at any time of the year. July and August are hottest and most humid, and January and February are cold, usually with snow. Winter temperatures range from below 32°F to 55°F (0°C to 13°C), with summer daily temperatures of between 57°F to 90°F (14°C to 32°C).

[edit] Get in

The park entrance is Collinsville Road, Collinsville, Illinois about 8 mi (12km) from downtown St Louis. The park is located just off of Interstate 55, Also not far from Historic Route 66.

From St. Louis: Take Interstate 55/70, 64 or Highway 40 & 44 across the Poplar St. Bridge into Illinois. Follow I-55/70, not 64, to Exit 6 (Highway 111). Exit and turn right onto Highway 111 south. At traffic signal turn left onto Collinsville Road. The Interpretive Center is about 1.5 miles on the right.

Hours: Interpretive Center, 9AM-5PM; Grounds: 8AM to dusk. Park is open daily in summer. From September 2007 the park is open W–Su until Spring 2008. Holidays Closed: New Year's Day, M.L. King's Birthday, Lincoln’s Birthday, President's Day, Columbus Day, General Election Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Holidays Open: Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day.

[edit] Fees/Permits

Entrance to the Park is free, though a donation of $2 is suggested.

[edit] Get around

There are Car Parks at the visitors centre, Monks Mound and Woodhenge. It is easy to walk around the site. There is an informative self-guided audio tour available form the Visitors Center which guides you around the main points of interest.

Public Tours During June, July, and August public one hour tours are conducted Wednesday through Saturday at 10:30AM and 1:30PM, and Sunday at 12:30PM and 2:30PM. The early tour visits the Stockade reconstruction and goes up Monks Mound. The later tour goes through the Grand Plaza to Twin Mounds and Mound 72. During April, May, September, and October public tours are conducted on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30PM. No reservations are needed.

[edit][add listing] See

• Visitors Center has a very good introductory video to help make sense of the site. There are also displays of the finds and recreations of living conditions.
• Monk's Mound is the largest of the mounds with nice views over the whole park. It is also possible to see central St Louis including the impressive Gateway Arch.
• Woodhenge near the base of Monk's Mound is recreated astrological calendar.

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit][add listing] Buy

There is a gift Shop in the Visitor's center.

[edit][add listing] Eat

There is a small coffee shop in the Visitors Center.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

The park has no accommodations nor is camping allowed. St Louis is very close by so would be the best place to stay.

[edit] Stay safe

East St Louis does not have the best reputation but there seems to be no problem at the park.

[edit] Get out

St Louis would be the best place to base yourself, seeing Eero Saarinen's impressive Gateway Arch, and the Anheuser Busch Budweiser Brewery.

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