Just south of Rusk near the small town of Alto is the compelling Caddoan Mounds State Historic Site (1649 State Hwy. 21 West, 936/858-3218, www.thc.state.tx.us [1], open Thurs.–Sun. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Thurs.–Sun., $2 adults, $1 seniors).
Caddoan-speaking farmers built these ceremonial burial mounds more than 1,200 years ago, and historians now realize they are the southwestern-most structures of the legendary Mound Builders of the eastern North American woodlands. Three of these earthen mounds, used for burials, temples, and religious ceremonies, still rise from the East Texas [2] forests.
Visitors can walk among the gently sloping structures, explore the interpretive center’s exhibits and displays, and view a reconstructed Caddo house built with Stone Age tools.
Links:
[1] http://www.thc.state.tx.us
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/texas/houston-and-east-texas