Indian Guide monument on historical society tour
The story of Indian Guide is an interesting, even though a bit hazy, part of Peabody history. Early settlers in the 1870s noted a pile of rocks on a hill east of what was then Coneburg. The story was that Indians had built a sort of marker of native stone.
One version of the story says the rocks indicated the site and the area nearby was a good source of flint for arrowheads and spear points. Other people thought it was a marker for good hunting and fishing. Gradually the pile of rocks was mostly carried away by souvenir hunters.
T. B. Townsend of Zanesville, Ohio, was the owner of what was known as Townsend Ranch east of Peabody on U.S.-50 — now owned by the Clay White family. Townsend noted the condition of the marker and had a 15-foot monument made with stone and concrete and a bronze plate with his name and date inscribed. Townsend was interested in the Indian culture and preserving history, but the real reason for Indian Guide remains a mystery.
Visitors on the Heritage Trail tour sponsored by Peabody Historical Society May 26 will be able to visit the Indian Guide site thanks to Jim Emmert who owns the property and has given permission for a look at this part of Peabody history.
