|
 In late October 2001, Fever River Research conducted Phase II archaeological
testing of the proposed location of the Lincoln Presidential Museum (Block 1,
Original Town Plat, City of Springfield). Although the south half of Block 1
had been disturbed by the construction of early twentieth century buildings with
deep basements, the north half of the block appeared to have been less disturbed
and the potential to contain significant subsurface deposits in this area was
thought to be high. With this in mind, four backhoe trenches were excavated
within the asphalt-covered parking lot located on the north half of the block.
These test trenches documented the presence of fill deposits of varying depth
overlying the original (circa 1830s) ground surface. Along the eastern edge of
the block, this ground surface was located immediately below the thin asphalt
pavement. These backhoe trenches exposed a distinctive, artifact-rich, domestic
midden containing substantial amounts of wood ash dating from circa 1830
through the 1840s. The quality and diversity of the artifacts suggested the
presence of a relatively well-to-do family. Besides this distinctive midden,
several structural foundations, an early cistern, a small cellar, and at least
one privy pit were documented. 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. |
