|
 Phase II archaeological test excavations were conducted at the location of the
proposed Edgemont Elementary School in East St. Louis, Illinois, where
archaeologists from the Central Mississippi Valley Archaeological Research
Institute, Columbia, Illinois, had previously identified a southern extension of
the 78th Street Site, located to the north across East State Street
and partially excavated in 1989 by archaeologists from Southern Illinois
University, Edwardsville. The excavation of fourteen backhoe trenches across
the project area revealed both prehistoric and historic features. The
prehistoric features, both pits and house basins, were clustered in three
distinct areas of the site. The artifacts recovered from within and around
these features indicated the presence of Woodland, Mississippian, and Oneota
components. Three historic components, all associated with the Boneau family’s
occupation of and improvements to Survey Tract 574, were identified in the major
concentration of historic features fronting on East State Street. The earliest
component may be the remains of Boneau’s ox mill, which dates to the early
nineteenth-century. The second component, dating to the mid-nineteenth century
and represented by a primary structure, associated outbuildings, and activity
areas, appears to be the Boneau residence, a documented post office, and a
roadhouse/tavern. The third component, dating from the late nineteenth and
early twentieth century, probably is associated with a later Boneau residence.
Based on the results of the Phase II archaeological investigations, the 78th
Street Site was determined eligible for listing on the National Register of
Historic Places. Because avoidance of the resource was not an option, Phase III
excavations were recommended. |
