7 Pillars of the Mississinewa
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Have you ever lived somewhere your entire life and thought to yourself, “How on Earth have I never visited this place?” Yeah, me too. These were the exact thoughts I had when we took the boys to visit the 7 Pillars of the Mississinewa. This breathtaking natural landmark is only about 30 minutes from where we live, and the fact that I also grew up about 30 minutes from this area and have never visited is mind blowing. I remember hearing about the 7 Pillars while growing up, but I always thought there were too far to travel to. Well, I am here to tell you that I was WRONG!
Natural Beauty and Fascinating History
The buttresses, or pillars as they are more commonly known, were created by centuries of wind and water erosion to the limestone rock that is located along the Mississenewa River’s edge. Behind the pillars, shallow caves are carved out of the natural rock. When French traders arrived in the area, they used the caves as a place to trade furs for French goods. Lots of travelers also used the site as a campground since it located by a natural spring.
A Miami Indian Tribe Sacred Place
The Miami Indian tribe once lived along the Mississinewa River, and the tribe holds the pillars as a sacred place, even to to this day. The tribe believes the pillars are a gateway to another world. Visiting this site truly is breathtaking and leaves you in awe! Council meetings took place in the caves where the spirits of their ancestors would offer their wisdom to the living, and the site also became a place where young men completed their passage from child to man. The stone ledge above the pillars became a place for annual ceremonial dances and victory feasts. The Miami Nation of Indians still gathers here each year to teach people about the history and culture of the Miami tribe. I got goosebumps as I stood on this land and imagined everything that had taken place in centuries past!
To Do
The boys found plenty to do while we were here. There is a wooded area to walk through, where you can imagine what life must’ve been like for those people who once inhabited this place so long ago.
You can also walk right along the Mississinewa River. The water flows over the rocks, creating such a soothing, peaceful sound. I could stay here all day! There are several spots where the water has risen and receded over the years leaving tons of shells behind. The boys enjoyed squatting down and admiring all of the shells. At one point in time on our walk, we were walking across nothing but shells! Amazing!
Haunted History
Due to its long history, many people believe this site to be haunted. Of course I didn’t tell the boys when we were there, but I did find the stories behind this belief fascinating. I remember taking a class in college about Indiana tales and beliefs, and so I dug through my notes to finally be able to piece it all together. Our professor told us that it is thought that during the tribal wars the Miami Indians were to have tortured enemy captives in front of the pillars before killing them in something called a funeral pyre (If you are like me and didn’t know what a funeral pyre is, I’ll save you the trouble of looking it up. A funeral pyre is a structure made of wood for burning a body. I’ll let you fill in the rest. It was quite shocking for a 22 year old college student at the time.) Many ghost hunters have stayed the night here and claimed to have seen misty figures lurking in the caves and gliding across the waters of the Mississinewa River. If you’re into ghost hunting, this place certainly sounds like it’s worth checking out at night!
How to Get There
The 7 Pillars are a place not to miss! If you’re looking for a way to social distance yet still get out of the house, I highly recommend them. To find the 7 Pillars, take IN-124 east through the town of Peru. Then turn south on Frances Slocum Trail Road. You will travel about two miles before you get to the site. To have the best view of the 7 Pillars, follow IN-124 to County Road 300 East. Turn south, then turn east on Mississinewa Road. From there, you’ll go about a mile and a half until you arrive at the Pillars.
If you’re looking for a way to stay socially distanced but still get out of the house, I highly recommend visiting this beautiful natural landmark. Pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it. Let me know if you do. I can’t wait to hear all about it!
