The earliest Apalachee mounds were built in northwest Florida near the Apalachicola River, specifically in the Tallahassee region.

This area was a key location for the Apalachee people, as it provided access to resources like fertile land, freshwater sources, and the Gulf of Mexico.

While the exact dates of these earliest mounds are not definitively known, archaeological evidence suggests they were constructed around 1,000 years ago or even earlier, making them a significant part of the ancient Southeastern Ceremonial Complex.