The firm of Fever River was begun in 1983, by Floyd Mansberger—then residing in Galena, Illinois—as a part-time business concern conducting archaeological and architectural surveys.  In 1985, in conjunction with Northern Illinois University, Fever River Research conducted investigations for the National Park Service at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, Illinois.  Shortly thereafter, in 1988, the firm relocated to Springfield, where it has since specialized full-time in cultural resource management (CRM) work.  Although the firm conducts some prehistoric archaeological research, it has specialized in historical resources and has conducted a variety of research projects that have included not only traditional “dirt” archaeology, but also architectural surveys, National Register nominations, and historic structure reports. 

Fever River Research has the necessary field and office equipment, as well as staff, to conduct a wide range of field and research projects.  The offices of Fever River Research are located in downtown Springfield, Illinois—only one block south of the Lincoln Home National Historic Site.  In the early 1990s, the firm rehabilitated an abandoned brick building for use as office space.  Constructed in 1908, the office building has an elegant Arts and Crafts interior and offers adequate space for both artifact processing and report production.