Cultural Resources Site Examination Report of The Rogers Island-Bridge Street Site (NYSM#11617), The #3 Bridge Street Site (NYSM#11645), PIN 1025.10.121, NY Route 197/ Hudson River East Branch, Village of Fort Edward, Washington County, New York

Summary

This report represents the results of phase II Site Examination for the Following Sites: The Rogers Island Bridge Street Site (NYSM #11617) prehistoric and historic, and the #3 Bridge Street Site (NYSM #11645) prehistoric and historic.

Multiple levels of occupation and land use are definable at the Rogers Island-Bridge Street site. Modern road, bridge, and home construction have only slightly impacted the upper levels of the site. The deepest portions of the tested area produced prehistoric remains in situ. Excavations also yielded multiple intact historic levels. In addition to these historic levels several filling episodes are apparent across the site which, when studied, may produce significant information on the later history of Rogers Island and Fort Edward. Multiple 18th century remains have also been uncovered through out the site which will continue to add to our understanding of arguably the most significant period in the islands history, namely its use during colonial times by both the British as a military staging area and stronghold and by colonials during the American Revolution. The proposed bridge reconstruction and possible road realignment as a result will greatly impact the entirety of the Rogers Island-Bridge Street Site. There is little possibility that deposits, no matter how deep, will be not disturbed by this construction. Therefore, if the Rogers Island-Bridge Street Site cannot be avoided, the site should be mitigated through data recovery.

Multiple levels of occupation and land use are definable at the #3 Bridge Street Site. Modern road, bridge, and home construction have only slightly impacted the upper levels of the site. Excavations yielded multiple intact historic levels. In addition to these historic levels several filling episodes are apparent across the site which, when studied, my produce significant information on the later history of Fort Edward.

The proposed bridge reconstruction and possible road realignment as a result will greatly impact the entirety of the #3 Bridge Street Site. If the #3 Bridge Street Site cannot be avoided, the site should be mitigated through data recovery. Should project boundaries be revised to include areas outside the current boundaries, additional survey work is recommended to assess the research potential of the new areas.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• New York State Museum and the Public Archaeology Facility, Binghamton University Archaeological Collection   •
• Washington County, NY

Keywords

Temporal Coverage

Calendar Date: -780 to -410 (Reported in BCE, referring to radiocarbon dated features at The Rogers Island-Bridge Site)

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Christina Rieth

Principal Investigator(s): Barry R. Dale

Sponsor(s): New York State Department of Transportation; Federal Highway Administration

Prepared By(s): New York State Museum

Record Identifiers

PIN(s): 1025.10.121

File Information