A Research Report and Restoration Considerations for the Interpretive Development of Historic Resources at Brigham City, A.T.

Summary

Brigham City, a fortified Mormon settlement on the Little Colorado River near the City of Winslow, Navajo County, Arizona, was established in 1876 as a United Order community and abandoned by the Church in 1881. The property was subsequently incorporated into the La Prade farm and dairy, which was in operation from about 1897 until the mid-1940's. At present, the site is owned by the City of Winslow. Much of the arable land surrounding the site has been leased to a Winslow resident for agricultural and stock raising purposes. Although the approximate locale of the original Brigham City settlement has been known by a number of Winslow resident and historians, the site's exact location was not determined archaeologically until 1977.

At that time, Dr. Lyle M. Stone of Archaeological Research Services (ARS), one of the current investigators, performed an archaeological test excavation project at the presumed site location to determine if sub-surface archaeological remains of Brigham City were present. This test excavation project had been requested by the Arizona State Historic Preservation Officer in order to determine if important cultural resources were present which would be adversely affected by the construction of a proposed waste water treatment facility access road.

In May of 1980, Gerald A. Doyle & Associates, historical architects, and Dr. Lyle M. Stone of ARS were engaged as a joint-venture by the City to undertake the project. The scope of work required that the project be completed in the following phases:

Phase I - Historical research to include (a), consultation with local sources for historical information; (b) identification and review of relevant published data; (c), research of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints archives in Salt Lake City, Utah; and (d), assembly of data on the history of the site, the composition and activities of its inhabitants, and the original architectural features of the site.

Phase II - Archaeological and architectural research to include (a), extensive test and limited full-scale archaeological excavations at the site in order to determine the presence and condition of, and the relationship between, specific sub-surface remains; ( b ) , processing and analysis of archaeological data; and ( c ) , the documentation of site structures and features according to Historic American Buildings Survey standards.

Phase III - Preparation and submission of a preliminary report of findings.

Phase IV - Preparation and submission of a final report of findings and alternative interpretive development plans.

Project historical research was performed during May and early June, 1980. Archaeological and architectural field work was completed between May and early July, 1980. Data analysis and report preparation were completed during the fall of 1980. Archaeological field work was under the overall supervision of Lyle M. Stone, with field work direction the responsibility of Edward M. Fortier. Wendell Eckholm assisted Fortier during the course of field investigations. Project archaeological photographs were also taken by Eckholm. Don W. Ryden, historical architect and Gerald A. Doyle, A.I.A., of Gerald A. Doyle and Associates, performed the architectural documentation of existing buildings on the site and assisted in the interpretation of archaeological features.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Salt River Project Digital Library

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Salt River Project Cultural Resource Manager

Repository(s): Salt River Project, Tempe, AZ

Prepared By(s): Archaeological Research Services; Gerald A. Doyle & Associates A.I.A

Submitted To(s): City of Winslow, Arizona

Record Identifiers

Salt River Project Circulation No.(s): 51943

Salt River Project Catalog No.(s): 51942

SRP Library Call No.(s): F817.N38S86 1980

SRP Library Barcode No.(s): 00030733

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