[1] Since the first white settlement of Juniata County, the area now named the Book site has been known as a location of prehistoric interest; local tradition held that it was once occupied by an Indian fort.

A professional investigation of the site was conducted in the summer and autumn of 1929; the archaeologists discovered a wide range of pottery, many projectile points, and a large number of bones, including twenty-two skulls.

[2]: 2  The combination of artifacts and the site's location slightly above a large stream have led to its identification as a work of the Clemson Island culture[2]: 3  (AD 700-1300)[3] during the early Late Woodland period.

[2]: 3 Fields to the north and east of the mound have also been known to produce small artifacts, such as stone chips and flakes.

[2]: 6  In 1986, the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in recognition of its archaeological value.