Indian Mound Park

Indian Mound Park, also known as Indian Shell Mound Park or simply Shell Mound Park, is a bird refuge and park found on Dauphin Island. It was once settled by several different native tribes–including the Creek, Yuchi, Shawnee, Chickasaw, and Cherokee– before they were forced out by European settlers and subsequent actions influenced by Andrew Jackson. The land began preparation for use as a park in 1991 and continued to grow over the course of the proceeding decade, expanding into an 83-acre complex complete with a museum.

Two of the distinguishing features of Indian Mound Park is the 27-foot tall Ceremonial Woodland Mound and the nearby 20-foot tall Oakville Copena Mound, one of the largest burial mounds in Northern Alabama that is still in good condition. The Copena Mound was not only used by the area's original inhabitants, but also the white settlers who followed who also began using the plot to bury their dead as early as 1819. With two distinct cultures using the mound as a cemetery, it should be no surprise that many visitors have experienced otherworldly activity. Ancient tribal music and chanting has reportedly been heard emanating from the area, even when mound and surrounding land appear empty.