Archaeological Investigations of 25 Parcels Related to the Reconstruction of USH 151 from W. Mound Road to CTH HH in Grant and Lafayette Counties, Wisconsin

Summary

During July 2000 through early May 2001, the Center for Archaeological Research at Marquette University performed archaeological Phases I and II, and limited geo-technical studies within 25 segments of proposed and existing highway right-of-way (ROW) located along the planned U.S. Highway (USH) 151 reconstruction alignment between West Mound Road and County Trunk Highway HH in Lafayette and Grant counties, Wisconsin. Earth Tech, Inc., sponsored the study as preparation for continued reconstruction of USH 151 (WisDOT Project I.D. 1209-02-01). Field work focused on parcels adjoining tracts surveyed during 1995 or 1999, and as a result of earlier architectural studies, the current study is oriented only to the identification of archaeological resources. With this in mind, the area of potential effects (APE) is defined by ROW segment borders, and the 25 tract APE totals approximately 215 acres (87 hectares). All but four privately owned parcels within the APE have been examined, and this coverage resulted in the recording of three isolated finds and the investigation of four archaeological sites. Unsurveyed tracts represent properties to which landowners denied researchers access. The isolated finds consist of a lithic flake, a lithic biface fragment, and a low density scatter of historical materials; none warrant further study. The archaeological sites are previously reported Sites 47 Gt 573 (the Cardy Site) and 599 (the Wayside Mining Site), and newly unrecorded Sites 47 Gt 628 (the Roling Site) and 629 (the Haverland Site). None of the four sites are entirely within the APE, and in most cases, researchers limited investigations to the ROW areas. Upon completion of Phase I tasks, the APE related portions of the Wayside Mining and the Haverland sites required no further study. The historic mining site did not yield new data, and an existing Memorandum of Agreement stipulates mitigative action to be completed for the site. The Haverland site, a prehistoric lithic scatter, is restricted to a plow zone and lacks subsurface integrity. Site 47 Gt 573, a prehistoric lithic scatter mixed with 20th century debris, and Site 47 Gt 628, a multi-component prehistoric limited use locus and historical farmstead, required Phase II study in order to evaluate their eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. At the Cardy Site, archaeological materials are confined primarily to a plow zone where the quantity and quality of data supports the recommendation that no additional work be performed for the site area within the proposed ROW. At Site 47 Gt 628, Phase II work revealed intact prehistoric and historical deposits, suggesting the site is potentially eligible for inclusion in the National Register. As a result, the site should be either avoided during highway reconstruction, or subjected to an archaeological Phase III data recovery study. With the exception of four unsurveyed parcels, the Site 47 Gt 628 area, and the portion of Site 47 Gt 599 immediately east-southeast of the Wayside Picnic Area, cultural resources clearance is recommended for all other portions of the subject ROW segments. Site 47 Gt 599 is associated with Segment 8, and Site 47 Gt 628 is associated with Segment 5. The unsurveyed parcels—Keminck land in Segments 15 and 16, and Suther property in Segment 22—should besurveyed for archaeological remains prior to proposed USH 151 reconstruction activities.

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Katherine Shillinglaw

Notes

General Note: Appendices in paper only and are available for review at GLARC.

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