Archeological Survey and Testing at Camp Stanley Storage Activity, Bexar County, Texas

Summary

From January to March 1997, Prewitt and Associates, Inc., conducted an archeological survey of ca. 991 acres (401 hectares), National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) testing of a previously identified prehistoric site (41BXI180), and additional NRHP testing of two historic sites (41BX1163 and 41BX1189) identified as World War I--era training trenches at Camp Stanley Storage Activity in Bexar County, Texas. The survey recorded six archeological sites (4IBXI233-41BXI238), consisting of one prehistoric and five historic components. It is recommended that one site (4IBXI235) be considered eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Site 41 BX1235 is a set of World War I-era training trenches that have retained their unique design and structural integrity and are also associated with previously recorded trenches found at sites 41 BXI163 and 41BX1189.

Archeological testing at site 41BXI180 tentatively identified two components: late Paleoindian and late Archaic. The site is disturbed from deflation and erosion and the components cannot be clearly isolated. In addition, the main feature of the site, a disturbed burned rock midden, cannot be clearly associated with either component. It is recommended that 41BXI180 be considered ineligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

Investigations at sites 41BXI163 and 41BX1189, a series of World War I training trenches, revealed that both sites are parts of the same trench complex and therefore should be treated as one site (41 BXI16311189). Test excavations resulted in the formulation of three general trench types based on their depth as recorded in tile profiles of a number of backhoe trenches. These three types, when compared to World War I field engineering manuals, correspond to lying, kneeling, and standing trenches. In addition, these trenches were used for the making of the movie Wings, the first recipient of an Academy Award for best picture in 1927. While these trenches have limited archeological research value, they retain much of their integrity and are associated with the nationally significant events surrounding World War I. Therefore, it is recommended that site 4lBXI16311189 be considered eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• National Archeological Database (NADB)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Cultural Resource Office, Joint Base San Antonio

Principal Investigator(s): Elton R. Prewitt; Karl W. Kibler

Sponsor(s): US Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District

Repository(s): Fort Sam Houston

Prepared By(s): Prewitt & Associates, Inc.

Record Identifiers

Delivery Order(s): 0013

NADB Citation ID(s): 000000327322

Contract Number(s): DACA63-95-D-0051

NADB Document ID(s): 853791

Notes

General Note: The information in this record was originally migrated into tDAR from the National Archaeological Database Reports Module (NADB-R) and has since then been updated.

File Information