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 In mid-March 2001, Fever River Research conducted Phase II archaeological
testing of the proposed location of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in
downtown Springfield (North Half, Block 12, Original Town Plat, City of
Springfield). At the time of the fieldwork, the entire project area
(consisting of the north half of the block) was an asphalt covered surface
parking lot. Over a two-day period, four backhoe trenches were excavated across
the north half of the block in areas though most likely to yield information
regarding the potential integrity of the underlying cultural deposits. These
test trenches documented the presence of extensive fill deposits overlying the
original (circa 1820s) ground surface (which was 3’ to 5’ below the existing
surface). Several early nineteenth century features (including a cistern, well,
a large rectangular pit, stone foundations, and several distinctive middens)
were encountered at this time. One of the middens encountered consisted of a
concentration of redware waster sherds, kiln furniture and burned brick
associated with the John Ebey pottery. Based on these investigations, the
north half of the block was determined eligible for listing on the National
Register of Historic Places, and Phase III archaeological mitigation was
recommended. |
