Scioto River - History

History

The Scioto River valley was home to many Native American cultures. The best known group is the Mound Builders of the Hopewell tradition. Numerous burial mounds can be seen near Chillicothe at the Hopewell Culture National Historic Park. The former strength of these cultures is demonstrated in settler accounts from as far east as Virginia. The name Scioto is derived from the Wyandot word skɛnǫ·tǫ’ 'deer' (compare Shenandoah, derived from the word for deer in another Iroquoian language.

The book Trans-Allegheny Pioneers is a compilation of historical events surrounding the move west across the Allegheny Mountains. Settlers reaching the Virginia-West Virginia border region in the late 17th century had many exciting encounters with Native American parties from their seat of power, the Scioto River valley.

During the antebellum years, the Scioto River provided a route to freedom for many slaves escaping from the South, as they continued north after crossing the Ohio River. Towns such as Chillicothe became important stops on the Underground Railroad.

In 2012, the river dropped to record- or near-record-low water levels as a result of the acute effects of the 2012 North American drought in Ohio.