—Poverty Point World Heritage Site —

It is unknown why the people of Poverty Point left this location and why it was not intensively utilized again for 1,800 years. After the Late Archaic period, American Indian use of the site was apparently intermittent, based on the sparse number of later artifacts found at the site. The construction of Mound D by the Coles Creek culture in about AD 700 is the only significant addition to the earthworks. This mound actually sits atop a Poverty Point ridge.

European explorers traveled down various waterways around
Macon Ridge. However, the area was not actually settled until
the early 1800s. The earliest land grants in the area were made
through military service warrants to individuals who had seen
action during the War of 1812 or other military engagements.
By 1837, Philip Guier owned much of the property that would
eventually become Poverty Point World Heritage Site. It was
probably during his tenure that the property was given the
name "Poverty Point Plantation."

Confiscated Confederate maps of the area indicate that
Poverty Point was abandoned during the Civil War. It
eventually returned to farmland, and remained so until the
State of Louisiana bought the property in 1972 and
established Poverty Point as a public park.

The site was designated a National Historic Landmark in
1962
and a National Monument in 1988. In 2010, the
museum was named a Smithsonian Affiliate.

[Map caption]: Portion of the 1848 General Land Office survey map. Township 19 North, Range 10 East, District North of Red River. A red arrow points to the recorded landowner, Philip Guier.

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  Pioneer, LA  |  West Carroll Parish  |  71266  |  Louisiana  |  United States of America

Peopling of the Americas
Poverty Point Artifacts
Poverty Point World Heritage Site
Before Poverty Point
The Natural and Cultural Environment
This is Poverty Point
The Poverty Point Landscape
Poverty Point Earthworks
Monumental Earthworks of Poverty Point
Poverty Point State Historic Site

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.