Serpent Mound, Peebles, OH 45660

## Overview Tucked just northeast of the famous Serpent Mound — one of the most remarkable ancient effigy mounds in North America — this roadside public drinking spring sits along State Route 73 near Peebles in Adams County, Ohio. The spring flows from a spout set into a cement basin, where the water pours continuously into the catch below. Though the spring appears to be located in someone's front yard, it has long been accessible to the public and is well known among locals. According to area residents who have lived near the spring for decades, it has been freely used as a water source by the community for many years. The surrounding landscape of Adams County is part of the geologically rich Appalachian Plateau region, where natural springs are common due to the area's layered limestone and dolomite bedrock. These formations allow groundwater to travel through underground channels before emerging at the surface. The proximity to Serpent Mound — a 1,348-foot-long prehistoric effigy built by ancient Indigenous peoples atop a cryptoexplosion structure (a geological formation caused by either a meteorite impact or volcanic activity) — makes this spring an interesting stop for visitors already exploring the area's deep natural and cultural history. While the water has historically been used as a drinking water source by locals, visitors should be aware that water quality can vary and no formal testing data is publicly available for this spring. ## Directions 1. Head to Serpent Mound at 3378 State Route 73, Peebles, OH 45660. 2. From the mound, travel northeast along State Route 73. 3. Cross over Brush Creek. 4. Look for the first house on your right after crossing the creek. 5. The spring is visible from the road — a spout flowing from a cement basin in the front yard area of the property. GPS coordinates: **39.023859, -83.440253** ## What to Expect The spring is a simple, utilitarian setup: a spout emerging from a cement basin that flows continuously. It's roadside and easy to access directly from State Route 73, so no hiking or special gear is needed. The setting is rural and quiet, surrounded by the rolling hills and wooded hollows characteristic of southern Ohio's Adams County. Since the spring is located near what appears to be a private residence, visitors should be respectful — pull off the road safely, collect water without lingering, and leave the area as you found it. Locals have reported no issues with visitors stopping to use the spring, but courtesy goes a long way in maintaining that goodwill. If you're in the area, a visit to Serpent Mound State Memorial is highly recommended. The ancient mound, managed by the Ohio History Connection, features a museum, observation tower, and walking paths. Combining a stop at this spring with a visit to the mound makes for a rewarding day trip into one of Ohio's most historically and geologically fascinating corners.