Cultural Resource Sample Survey of Santa Rita Ranches, Socorro County, New Mexico



Woods Canyon Archaeological Consultants, Inc. December 2005 Cultural Resource Sample Survey

of

Santa Rita Ranches Development Project

Socorro County, New Mexico

by

Jerry Fetterman

Woods Canyon Archaeological Consultants, Inc.

PO Box 253

Yellow Jacket, CO 81335

Submitted to

New Mexico Land and Ranches

P. O. Box 448, 113 Abeytia Avenue, Suite A

Socorro, New Mexico 87801

NMCRIS Number 95,505

December 2005 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ...... 4 Personnel ...... 4

CHAPTER 2: ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING ...... 5

CHAPTER 3: CULTURAL SETTING ...... 7 Prehistoric...... 7 Historic ...... 9

CHAPTER 4: INVENTORY METHODS...... 10 Literature Search ...... 10 Sample Survey Design ...... 10 Field Methods...... 11 Sites...... 11 Isolated Occurences ...... 11

CHAPTER 5: RESULTS ...... 12 Isolated Occurrences ...... 12 Sites ...... 12 LA31833 ...... 14 LA59286 ...... 17 LA150542 ...... 18 LA150543 ...... 19 LA150544 ...... 20 LA150545 ...... 21 LA150546 ...... 22 LA150547 ...... 23 LA150548 ...... 24 LA150549 ...... 25 LA150550 ...... 26 LA150551 ...... 27 LA150552 ...... 28 LA150553 ...... 29 LA150554 ...... 31 LA150555 ...... 32 LA150556 ...... 33 LA151415 ...... 34 LA151416 ...... 35 LA151417 ...... 36 LA151418 ...... 37 LA151419 ...... 38

CHAPTER 6: SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 39

CHAPTER 7: REFERENCES CITED ...... 41

i List of Figures

Figure 1-1. Map illustrating location of Santa Rita Ranches development...... 4

Figure 2-1. Photograph of project area showing Rio Salado and Sierra Ladron ...... 5 Figure 2-2. Photograph of project area showing basalt dike and Bear Mountains ...... 5

Figure 4-1. Topographic map showing surveyed areas in relation to Santa Rita Ranches development...... 10

Figure 5-1. Photographic overview of Riley town center, looking north-northeast...... 15 Figure 5-2. Santa Rita Church ...... 15 Figure 5-3. Closeup of Structure R4 looking east ...... 15 Figure 5-4. Annotated aerial photograph of Riley town center...... 16 Figure 5-5. Plan map of LA59286...... 17 Figure 5-6. Plan map of LA15042...... 18 Figure 5-7. Plan map of LA150543...... 19 Figure 5-8. Plan map of LA150544...... 20 Figure 5-9. Plan map of LA150545...... 21 Figure 5-10. Plan map of LA150546...... 22 Figure 5-11. Plan map of LA150547...... 23 Figure 5-12. Plan map of LA150548...... 24 Figure 5-13. Plan map of LA150549...... 25 Figure 5-14. Plan map of LA150550...... 26 Figure 5-15. Plan map of LA150551...... 27 Figure 5-16. Plan map of LA150552...... 28 Figure 5-17. Plan map of LA150553...... 30 Figure 5-18. Plan map of LA150554...... 31 Figure 5-19. Plan map of LA150555...... 32 Figure 5-20. Photograph looking north up road ...... 33 Figure 5-21. Plan map of LA151415...... 34 Figure 5-22. Plan map of LA151416...... 35 Figure 5-23. Plan map of LA151417...... 36 Figure 5-24. Plan map of LA151418...... 37 Figure 5-25. Plan map of LA151419...... 38

List of Tables

Table 4-1. Results of Literature Search ...... 10 Table 5-1. Isolated Occurrences Located on Santa Rita Ranches Development...... 12 Table 5-2. Cultural Resource Sites Located on Santa Rita Ranches Development...... 13 Table 6-1. National Register of Historic Places Eligibility and Management Recommendations ...... 39

ii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

At the request of Dan Datolla of New Mexico Land and Ranches, Woods Canyon Archaeological Consultants, Inc. (Woods Canyon) conducted a cultural resource sample survey of the proposed Santa Rita Ranches development in Socorro County, New Mexico. This development is located northeast of Magdalena, and is centered around the historic town of Riley. Figure 1-1 presents a map illustrating the general location of the project area.

Sierra Ladron

Riley

B Santa Rita e

a Ranches r Rio M Sa lado o u n t a i n s R i o G r a n d e Magdalena 0 10 Miles

Figure 1-1. Map illustrating location of Santa Rita Ranches development.

Santa Rita Ranches is a land development project that will divide a 2,137-acre ranch into roughly 107 separate parcels. Home site lot size varies between 20 and 30 acres. In accordance with both Socorro County subdivision ordinances and State regulations, a sample survey was designed for (Fetterman 2005, Ensey 2005) and undertaken at the proposed development; the results are presented in this report.

Personnel

The archaeological reconnaissance was conducted by Jerry Fetterman, Peter Rohman, Bryan Shanks, and Gary Duncan during the weeks of October 17-21, November 6-10 and December 5-9, 2005.

1 CHAPTER 2: ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING

The Santa Rita Ranches development is located northwest of the Bear Mountains and southeast of Sierra Ladron, along both sides of the Rio Saldao (see Figure 2-1). The Rio Salado is a permanent stream which drains a large area to the west and flows into the Rio Grande to the east.

Figure 2-1. Photograph of project area showing Rio Salado in foreground and Sierra Ladron in background.

The topography and elevation of the project area varies considerably between the flood plain (5,450’) and lower terraces of the Rio Salado and the dissected hills (5,700’) above the river. The flood plain is broad and composed of gravels and sands. Lining the flood plain are small terraces formed from Aeolian and alluvial deposits. Beyond these are larger hills and ridges formed from bedrock uplifted by numerous north-south trending dikes (see Figure 2-2). The resulting topography is abrupt, and the ridges contain little in the way of soil deposits. The valleys formed between the ridges are narrow but contain deep alluvial deposits.

Figure 2-2. Photograph of project area showing basalt dike in foreground and Bear Mountains in background. 2 To minimize erosion, these valleys were extensively dammed in the Historic past. Unfortunately, most of the dams have been breached and no longer hold back water. Deep arroyos have formed in the soil deposits below and above the old impoundments.

Annual precipitation for the area is 8-10 inches. Most of this falls either as snow during the winter months or as rain during the summer monsoons. As would be expected with such minimal precipitation, none of the drainages are permanent, with the exception of the Rio Salado. The Rio Salado has a large catchment basin and is feed by a series of springs eminating from the Bear Mountains. The biggest spring in the area is Riley Spring, located just 1 mile upstream from the project. This spring was historically used for irrigation. A second spring in the area is Tanque Hondo, located 0.5 miles west of the project. This spring was historically used for drinking water by the residents of Riley.

The sparse rainfall supports a sparse vegetation community. Grasses, mesquite, four-wing saltbush, and cretosote bush form the understory throughout the project area. Overstory consists of a sparse scattering of juniper on the hills and ridges, and a narrow band of tamarisk along the edge of the flood plain.

3 CHAPTER 3: CULTURAL SETTING

Prehistoric

Stuart and Gauthier (1981), in Prehistoric New Mexico, Background for Survey, list the area north of New Mexico State Highways 60 and 36, between Magdalena and Fence Lake, as being under-surveyed, poorly understood, and poorly represented in the archaeological literature. This situation has not been satisfactorily rectified sinceBackground for Survey was written in the early 1980s. An additional complication is that the development project, located in the middle of this poorly researched area, is not within any one clear, definitive culture area, but borders the Alpine and Mimbres Mogollon culture areas to the south and southwest, the Jornada Mogollon culture area to the southeast, and the Anasazi culture area to the west and north.

Prehistoric occupation of the southwestern United States began during the Paleo-Indian Period, sometime after 10,000 B.C. (Stuart and Gauthier 1981). The period is characterized by big game hunters using distinctive lanceolate fluted projectile points. Several Paleo-Indian sites have been excavated in the region, include the Mockingbird Gap Site, located to the southeast of Socorro, New Mexico, and Ake Site, located on the Plains of San Agustin to the southwest of the project area. Over 150 Clovis projectile points have been recovered from the Mockingbird Gap site, which dates sometime between 9000 and 6000 B.C. (Weber and Agogino 1968). The Ake site produced Folsom projectile points, and remains of muskrat and bison (Beckett 1980). Bat Cave, located on the southern margins of the Plains of San Agustin to the southeast of the Ake Site also has a late Paleo-Indian component (Dick 1965). This area may have the highest concentration of Paleo-Indian sites in the region, although no clear settlement patterns have been established for west-central New Mexico.

Shifting climatic patterns and other factors brought about a change in human adaptive strategies that ushered in the beginning of the Archaic period beginning about 6000 B.C. Big game exploitation was supplanted by more varied hunting strategies and increasing reliance on gathered plant foods. Both the Cochise and Oshara Archaic traditions may be associated with prehistoric developments in the region, although the areas where these traditions have been defined are located at some distance from the project area.

The Cochise tradition was originally defined for Archaic sites in south-central Arizona (Sayles and Anteves 1941), and is usually associated with Basin and Range areas in the southern Southwest. It has been divided into three phases: the Sulphur Springs phase, dating from about 7500 to 3500 B.C.; the Chiricahua phase, dating from about 3500 to 1500 B.C.; and the San Pedro phase, spanning from 1500 B.C. to the first or second centuries A.D. The tradition is thought to be the antecedent of the Mogollon culture.

The Oshara Tradition was originally defined by Irwin-Williams (1973) in the Arroyo Cuervo drainage area, a tributary of the Rio Puerco (of the east) in northwestern New Mexico. The tradition is divided into five phases, beginning with the Jay phase, dating from about 5500 to 4800 B.C. The Jay phase is followed by the the Bajada phase (4800-3200 B.C.), the San Jose phase (3200-1800 B.C.), the Armijo phase (1800-800 B.C.), and the En Medio phase (800 B.C.- A.D. 400). The En Medio phase represents early agriculturalists and is equivalent to the Basketmaker II period in the Pecos classification system. The Oshara tradition is believed to be antecedent to the Anasazi culture.

Projectile point styles have been used to distinguish these two traditions; however, there are similarities between the points identified for each tradition, and misclassification of point types may be a problem (Gossett 1985). In the Fence Lake Coal Mine area, located to the west of the current project, both projectile point styles have been identified at Archaic sites (Hogan 1985). This may indicate that the transition zone between desert Basin and Range and the Colorado Plateau is also a transition zone between the Cochise and Oshara traditions.

Sites dating to the Archaic period have been located in the vicinity of the project area. The Ake site, mentioned above, contains an Archaic component, as does Bat Cave and Tularosa Cave. Evidence of early cultigens was found at these two latter sites (Dick 1965, Martin and Plog 1973).

The transition to agriculture marks the beginning of substantial changes in material culture and settlement, and the differentiation of regionally distinctive culture traditions. Most notable changes include the appearance of pottery, development of the bow and arrow, the increasing use of pit structures, and ceremonial architecture. Both the Mogollon culture and the Anasazi culture have been applied to the Formative and Classic Prehistoric periods of development in the region surrounding the project area. In a cultural resources overview of the Socorro area, Berman (1979) uses the cultural/chronological sequences for both groups and follows Haury’s (1936) and Martin’s (1979) classification scheme for the Mogollon, and the Pecos classification scheme (Kidder 1927) for the Anasazi. 4 The Mogollon and Anasazi traditions have usually been distinguished by differences in pottery, pit structure architecture, and site structure (Cordell 1984, Wheat 1955). Brown-firing pottery, deep pithouses with ramp entryways, but lacking benches, deflectors and sipapus, and haphazard site and village layout are characteristics of Formative Mogollon culture. In contrast, Anasazi material culture includes gray ware pottery, pit structures with vent tunnels, roof entry, benches, and sipapus, and typically very predictable site and village layout.

The Pecos classification scheme uses Basketmaker II (ca A.D. 1-500) for the pre-pottery, agricultural Anasazi, followed by Basketmaker III (A.D. 500-700), Pueblo I (700-900), Pueblo II (900-1100), Pueblo III (1100-1300) and Pueblo IV (1300-1650). These date ranges represent a “one size fits all” approach to temporal sequencing of the Anasazi culture; the Pecos classification system has been widely adjusted and supplanted by various phase schemes to account for local and regional variability.

Archaeological investigations in the lower Rio Salado to the east of the Santa Rita Ranch located a substantial Basketmaker III occupation and subsequent Pueblo I, II, III, and IV occupations (Wimberly and Eidenbach 1980). The ceramic assemblages had an equal mix of Anasazi greywares and Mogollon brownwares which indicates influence from both the Anasazi and Mogollon areas.

The Formative Mogollon, extending from about A.D. 1 to A.D. 1000 is divided into the Early Pithouse, and Late Pithouse phases. The Early Pithouse, or Pine Lawn phase begin between A.D. 1 and A.D. 250 and terminates at A.D. 500 or 550 (Stuart and Gauthier 1981). The Late Pithouse is divided into the Georgetown (A.D. 550-650), San Francisco (A.D. 650-850) and Three Circle (A.D. 850-1000) phases. While the sequence of these phases is not disputed, the precise dates of each have not been satisfactorily established (Anyon and others 1981). The first pottery, Mogollon Brown Ware, appears in the Pine Lawn phase. Pit structures during the Pine Lawn and Georgetown phases are generally circular with large, broad entrances (Wheat 1955). By the San Francisco phases, many of the pithouses are square or rectangular and this persists in most areas through the Three Circles phase (Bertram and others 1990).

As early as the Pine Lawn phase there are distinctive structures that may have served a communal or ceremonial function. During the San Francisco phase, many more ceremonial structures occur, and by the Three circle phase, some structures exhibit features similar to those found in modern kivas (Martin and Rinaldo 1947, Martin and others 1949)

Beginning at approximately A.D. 900 or 1000, there is enough differentiation in the expression of certain cultural traits within the Mogollon cultural complex to define different branches. In the Gila National Forest, two branches, the Alpine and the Mimbres, have been defined. (Danson 1957). Regional phase sequences that have been used include the Reserve phase (A.D. 1000-1100) and the Apache Creek phase (A.D. 1075-1150) in the Pine Lawn region and the Tularosa River area; the Tularosa phase (1100-1300); and in the Mimbres Valley the Classic Mimbres phase (1000- 1150), the Black Mountain-Animas phase (1150-1300, and the Cliff-Salado phase (A.D. 1300-1450) (Anyon and others 1981, Bluhm 1960, Kayser 1972, Nelson and La Blanc 1986).

The Jornada branch of the Mogollon occupied areas along the Rio Grande. Mera (1943) designated the northwest sector of the area occupied the Jornada as the Soccoro expression or Socorro district. The earliest manifestation of the Jornada branch in this area is the San Marcial phase, defined by the appearance of San Marcial Black-on-white pottery, roughly coinciding with the late Basketmaker III or early Pueblo I Anasazi period. The succeeding phases are the Early and Late Socorro phases (Marshall 1973), corresponding to the Pueblo II and Pueblo III periods elsewhere in the Southwest. Socorro Black-on-white is the dominant painted ware at this time, and appears in conjunction with Los Lunas Smudged, a variety belonging to the southern “Upper Gila” brown ware group (Mera 1940). Mera (1940) further suggests that the area west of the Rio Grande River where Socorro Black-on-white was once very prominant, is largely abandoned by the Pueblo III period, with the population probably shifting to the south and east along the Rio Grande valley. Casa Colorado and Chupadero Black-on-whites, probably outgrowths of Socorro Black-on-white, then become the dominant decorated wares.

After about A.D. 1000, distinctions between the Mogollon and Anasazi cultures become less pronounced and both areas go through a set of similar changes. Some scholars suggest using a unified Puebloan sequence for both areas after A.D. 1000. During this later series of developments, above ground architecture becomes more prominent. During the Reserve phase/Pueblo II, single story masonry structures are common, often comprising multiroom linear or L-shaped roomblocks. Population appears to grow substantially and expand into areas not previously occupied, especially low elevation areas (Stuart and Gauthier 1981). Sites dating to the Pueblo II period are fairly common throughout the west-central portion of New Mexico. Pueblo II sites have been recorded along the lower Puerco River and the Rio Salado drainage (Wimberly and Eidenbach 1980) to the northeast of the project area, and to the west in the Fence Lake and Quemado areas (Bernard-Shaw 1993; Bullard 1962; Hogan 1985). 5 During the subsequent Tularosa phase/Pueblo III and Pueblo IV periods, there appears to be a marked abandonment of much of the region surrounding the Santa Rita Ranch area. The population that did remain appears to have aggregated into multi-story sites with hundreds of rooms. An important large aggregated village is the Gallinas Springs site located in the foothills of the Gallinas mountains to the southwest of the project area. The site consists of a multi- tiered, multi-storied pueblo containing as many as 500 rooms (Bertram and others 1990). Similarities to Mesa Verde style pottery and architecture has prompted some researchers to suggest that the site was occupied by Mesa Verde immigrants (Davis and Winkler 1962).

Later Pueblo IV sites in the region include the Goat Springs site located in the Cibola National Forest (Danson 1957; Warren and Wilson 1974) and several sites in the Rio Salado drainage at La Jara Butte and on the Rio Grande near San Acacia (Wimberly and Eidenbach 1980).

Historic

The first non-Native American who visited the area was a small party of Spanish soldiers in the 1540s. This party diverted from the rest of the Spanish army which was moving north up the Rio Grande River. The party traveled into the Magdalena area and named the mountain to the south of town “La Sierra de Magdalena” as it reminded them of a similarly-shaped mountain called “La Sierra de Maria Magdalena” in the Spain.

The area was outside of the region that was utilized by the Spanish settlers and significant use of the area by non- Native Americans did not occur until the discovery of silver and lead in the Mountains south of Magdalena in 1863 and 1866, respectively. Mining and settlement in the area increased over the years and boomed once a spur railroad was built into the area in 1885. By 1886, the Magdalena area contained “two general stores, one notion store, one drug store, two livery stables, three restaurants, two blacksmith shops, two lumber yards, one hardware store, a sash and door establishment, one book store, one feed store, one church, one school house, and four saloons.” (Magdalena Centennial Committee 1984:11). In 1918, Magdalena had two schools and 600 pupils. The area continued to grow until the late 1920s – early 1930s when the banks and mines closed down.

North of Magdalena along the Rio Salado is the historic town of Santa Rita. The community of Santa Rita was formed in 1883 by fourteen families from Lemitar and other communities in the Rio Grande Valley. This community was built along the Rio Salado in an area that contained rich floodplain deposits below the perennial Riley Springs. The town was started as a farming community and was, for most of its history, a farming community. Water was diverted from the spring above town and the river and used to irrigate the fields. A review of the 1900 and 1910 census showed most of the inhabitants claiming their occupation as either a famer or stock raiser.

In the late 1890s a mine shaft was excavated to the north west of town. The work was financed by outside interests and was probably part of a scam since no marketable gold or silver was apparently ever found (the mine, the Riley Mine, was closed in 1989 [Oakes 1989]). Small coal mines were excavated in the vicinity of the town for personal use and a short-lived magnesium mine was excavated about 5 miles downstream from the town in the 1950s.

The town had a post office from the 1890s intermittently to 1931. Perhaps, as a result of the presence of another town called Santa Rita by Silver City, the post office and the town was renamed Riley.

In 1897 there were 150 residents of the town. The town supported “two general merchandise stores, run by Anastacio Baca and C. Nelson. A. R. Cordova was postmaster and Portifo Sanchez the justice of the peace.” (Sherman and Sherman 1975:176)

The irrigation ditches continued to flow until 1952 when a big flood washed away the ditches and the flume. Today, the town is largely abandoned with only two full-time residences still occupied. The church, which has been excellently maintained, still hosts a feast day every year on March 22, the day the patron saint, Santa Rita, died in the year AD 1457.

6 CHAPTER 4: INVENTORY METHODS

Literature Search

A literature search was conducted online of the State Register of Historic Places, ARMS database, and the ARC-IMS database (October 14, 2005). In addition to the ARMS search, a check was conducted at the BLM office in Soccoro. Within the general project area three sites (LA13831, LA13833, and LA59286) had been previously located and five investigations had been previously conducted (see Table 4-1).

Table 4-1. Results of Literature Search

NMCRIS Project Name Reference Findings # Riley Spring Survey – Soccoro BLM Author unknown 1976 Pueblo I and II sites along the Rio Salado Survey Vincent Recordation Vincent 1973 Recordation of the ghost town of Riley (LA13833) and prehistoric pueblos along the Rio Salado Kight Rerecordation Kight 1979 Update and site visit to site LA13831 17427 Western New Mexico Telephone Nightengale, Neeley and Recordation historic sites and prehistoric sites in the Company – Riley Exchange Mallouf 1986 vicinity of Riley (including LA59286) 60631 Culture Resource Inventory of Dello-Russo 1998 et al. Recordation historic sites and prehistoric sites in the Powerline by Riley, New Mexico vicinity of Riley (including LA59286)

Sample Survey Design

The sample survey was designed by Woods Canyon in consultation with the New Mexico State Historic Preservation Office. Since construction of access roads to invididual house lots will constitute the heaviest project impact, it was decided to survey these proposed roads (to a width of 600’) as the primary means of sampling. In addition, prime locations for sites were investigated, and all previously recorded sites were revisited. A total of 676 acres (31.6%) were surveyed for the Santa Rita Ranches development (see Figure 4-1).

Survey Area Subdivision

0 0.4 0.8 Miles

Figure 4-1. Topographic map showing location of surveyed areas in relation to Santa Rita Ranches development.

7 Santa Rita Ranches includes several lots of less than 20 acres which are part of the town of Riley. Since these already small lots are not going to be further subdivided, for regulartory purposes they are not part of the development. However, in recognition of the presence of numerous historic buildings that had previously been only minimally recorded (Vincent 1973), New Mexico Land and Ranches agreed to provide for updating the existing site record of the town.

Field Methods

The center line of each proposed road was indicated on the ground by pin flags, set in place by the development’s land surveyors. Ground visibility was excellent, due to the almost non-existent vegetative cover.

Archaeological survey was conducted by three archaeologists walking parallel to the pin-flagged center line of each proposed road. When a cultural resouce was located, it was first determined to be either a site or an isolated occurence. If a cultural resource consisted of more than 10 items in a 100 square meter area, it was considered an archaeological site; if it was less, it was considered an isolated occurrence.

Sites

Sites were documented on New Mexico State Historic Preservation Site Forms, photographed, mapped and located with a GPS unit and GIS technology. Artifacts were analyzed in the field, photographed if appropriate, and left in place.

For buildings in the town of Riley, each building was briefly described in text, photographed, and located with a GPS unit.

After the inventory, recommendations were made to New Mexico Land and Ranches for avoidance of significant sites. The proposed roads were restaked to avoid these cultural resources, and the new routes were field-checked by an archaeologist from Woods Canyon.

Isolated Occurences

Isolated occurences were described in text, photographed if appropriate, and located with a GPS unit and GIS technology. Artifacts were analyzed in the field and left in place.

8 CHAPTER 5: RESULTS

Isolated Occurrences

The cultural resource survey located 16 isolated occurrences (see Table 5-1). Isolated occurrences are considered non- significant and ineligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.

The majority of isolated occurrences are single artifacts or small artifact clusters, typically numbering 10 items or less. One prehistoric isolated occurrence was composed of 20 sherds, but these represent a single vessel. The IOs also include a historic dump, mine adit and retaining wall.

Table 5-1. Isolated Occurrences Located on Santa Rita Ranches Development

IO# Description UTM ME UTM MN 1 Red Quartzite Flake Fragment 296445 3807096 2 Historic Trash Dump (1930 - 1950): Sardine cans (2), Condensed milk cans (4), lard pail (3), 5 gallon 296427 3807150 bucket, car parts, car window assembly 3 Chert Flake 296490 3807100 4 Two clear/white quartzite decortification flakes 296468 3806979 5 Mine adit or glory hole. 6’ x 6’ x 6’ deep. Adjacent to a dike, 1 vegetable type can 296426 3806903 6 Basalt interior flake 296493 3806317 7 Seven clear/white quartzite flakes and 1 red quartzite flake fragment 296842 3807154 8 One yellow brown chert decortification flake 296917 3807139 9 Bridge across arroyo. Supported by 3 10 x 12” wood girders and planked with 2 x 12’s 295564 3805451 10 Stone retaining wall. Four courses tall and approximately 3 meters long. Utilizes a Juniper tree and 294017 3805609 posts for support. Function unknown. A light deposit of coal to the south of the wall might indicate use of the as a loading ramp? 12 1 indeterminate white ware. 293578 3805960 13 Small rock pile, 1.5m x 1.5m, composed of about 30 rocks, no associated artifacts, near the edge of 295279 3805396 an arroyo 14 Pot drop composed of 20 corrugated sherds from the same vessel 295505 3805418 15 Wood fence or corral remnant made of posts and dimension lumber and barbed wire 294031 3805875 16 Cairn, 7 sandstone slabs in a stack 20 x 20 cm in diameter 293825 3806259 17 Quartzite flake 293763 3806211

Sites

The cultural resource survey located 22 sites which represent 25 components. These sites date from the Archaic through the Historic periods.

Most of the prehistoric habitations were of Anasazi, probably Chacoan, cultural affiliation, and many of these also had evidence of a secondary connection with the Mogollon culture area to the south. The prehistoric sites are dominated by Anasazi habitations and artifact scatters dating from the Pueblo I to the early Pueblo III period. Many of the Pueblo II-III sites contain Socorro Black-on-white pottery, a white ware that Mera (1940:27) suggests is a direct derivative of Chacoan types. This indicates an occupation of these Santa Rita sites by Anasazi with cultural ties to Chaco Canyon. At least half of the Anasazi habitations also contain brown wares and smudged wares. These wares are typically seen as belonging to the southern brown ware group (Mera 1940) and suggest ties to the Mogollon culture.

The Pueblo I occupation is evidenced by two sites: a large multiple residence or village (LA150553) situated on a terrace above the Rio Salado, and a small alcove with artifact scatter on a bench of a tributary flood plain. The Pueblo II-III occupation is evidenced by several small habitations and artifact scatters, situated on perched valleys, benches, and ridges above the Rio Salado and tributary flood plains. This settlement pattern is similar to that observed in other portions of the Rio Salado and the Lower Puerco valley (Wimberly and Eidenbach 1980).

The historic sites are associated with the settlement of the area by Hispanic families in association with the Santa Rita- Riley community. This community was formed in the 1880s and was occupied into the 1950s.

9 Three sites (LA150544, LA150555, LA151415) proved to be fairly enigmatic. They all contained a low stone wall structure or feature and all lacked artifacts. As a result, neither their ages nor their cultural affiliations could be determined.

The following section provides data on each of the 22 sites. Table 5-2 lists the cultural affiliation, site type, identified features, and temporally diagnostic artifacts associated with each site. Brief descriptions of each site are listed below, and site forms with additional data and photographs are attached.

Table 5-2. Cultural Resource Sites Located on Santa Rita Ranches Development

Site # Cultural Affiliation Site Type LA31833 Anasazi: Pueblo II; Hispanic: US Territorial and NM Statehood Prehistoric single residence and Historic town (Riley) LA59286 Archaic; Anasazi: Pueblo II - III Artifact Scatter w/ Features LA150542 Anasazi: Pueblo I Artifact Scatter LA150543 Anasazi: Pueblo II Single Residence LA150544 Unknown Affilliation Simple Feature(s) LA150545 Anasazi: Pueblo II Artifact Scatter w/ Features LA150546 Anasazi: Pueblo II Single Residence LA150547 Unknown Prehistoric Rock art and artifact scatter LA150548 Anasazi: Pueblo II Multiple Residence LA150549 Anasazi: Pueblo II - III Artifact Scatter w/ Features LA150550 Anasazi: Pueblo II Single Residence LA150551 Hispanic: AD 1910 – 1940 (NM Statehood) Single Residence LA150552 Anasazi : Pueblo II - III Single Residence LA150553 Anasazi: Pueblo I-II; Hispanic: US Territorial and NM Statehood Residential Complex / Community LA150554 Hispanic or other Euro-american: AD 1850 - 1910 Single Residence LA150555 Unknown Affiliation Single Residence LA150556 Hispanic or other Euro-american: AD 1850 - 1930 Transportation; Riley to Belen Road LA151415 Unknown Affiliation Simple Feature(s) LA151416 Anasazi: Pueblo I Simple Feature(s) LA151417 Anasazi: Pueblo II - III Simple Feature(s) LA151418 Anasazi: Pueblo I - II Artifact Scatter LA151419 Anasazi: Pueblo II - III Artifact Scatter

10 LA31833

Description

Site LA31833 is the remains of the historic town of Riley, New Mexico, located along the Rio Salado north of Magdalena. During site recordation, more than 50 structures were identified, including the church, the school house, and numerous homes in varying states of decay. Most of the structures were made of adobe brick with stone foundations.

The town is located within the Antonio Chavez Land Grant, which was granted in the 1820s to three families. The first irrigation ditch on the Rio Salado in the vicinity of the town was taken out in 1848.

By 1883 fourteen families from the Rio Grande Valley settled in the community. It started out as a farming community called Santa Rita. Sometime in the 1890s, the name of the town was changed from Santa Rita to Riley, perhaps in association with construction of the town’s post office. Riley was the name of a local Anglo sheep rancher.

For a short period in the 1890s, gold and silver were apparently mined northwest of Riley; four such mines are reported as operating in 1897. However, these mines never appear to have been very productive, and may have only been a front for an investor scam. In the 1900 census, no town residents listed mining as their occupation; farming and stock raising were the most commonly listed occupations.

For fourty years, between 1890-1930, the town thrived. Its maximum population was approximately 150 residents. The town’s center occupied a half-mile section of the floodplain, north of the Rio Salado, and more residences were built to the west (upstream) for an additional two miles. Farm fields were also established along the Rio Salado floodplain, and were irrigated with water diverted from Riley Springs, 3 miles west of town.

Since the 1930s the town’s population has declined. The post office was closed in 1931. In 1952 the irrigation system was washed out, and the community used cruder irrigation methods for watering fields. Today only two full-time and two part-time residents live in town. However, every year on May 22, approximately 400 former residents descend on the town to commemorate the patron saint of the church, Santa Rita.

NRHP Recommendation

The site is recommended as eligible to the National Register of Historic places under Criterion a and d.

Management Recommendation

No further work is recommended. The site is avoided by development activites.

11 Figure 5-1. Photographic overview of Riley town center, looking north-northeast. Church in left foreground; school in left background.

Figure 5-2. Photograph of Santa Rita Church.

Figure 5-3. Photograph of Structure R4 looking east.

12 R25 R26 R24

R44

R43 R42

R28 School R27

R29 R30 R32 R31

R34 R23 R33 R20 R3 R2 R41 R40 R38 R39 R19 R18 R14 R21R17 R15 R8 R6 R22 R11 Church R4 R1 R36 R16 R7 R37 R12 R9 R5 R35 R10 R13

Rio Salado

0 60 120 240 Meters Legend Riley Features Riley Irrigation Ditch

Figure 5-4. Annotated aerial photograph of Riley town center.

13

LA59286

Description

The site is a large lithic and ceramic scatter with features located on the flood plain of the Rio Salado. It was previously recorded twice: first by Archaeological Research, Inc. in 1983 and second by Escondida Research Group in 1998. During the second recording, the site was expanded to the west of the road onto private land, where a fire- cracked rock feature was located.

The portion of the site on private land is in the proposed Santa Rita development. When revisited in 2005 for the Santa Rita Survey, Woods Canyon located an extremely diffuse scatter of flaked lithic and ceramic artifacts and two areas of rock that might be the remains of deflated features. Neither of these features has any integrity.

NRHP Recommendation

The site was determined eligible to the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion d on December 23, 1999.

Management Recommendations

No further is recommended. The site is avoided by development activities.

LA59286 N after Figure 3 in Dello-Russo 1998 et al. 0 40 m

e dam in hen l

t F r ear e e w n o

c p e

d oa d r se po pro

Site Boundary Rio Salado

carbon-stained sediment and fire-cracked rocks

Sandstone Boulders

liff y c ck F ro o p re e s te t s R o a d 3 Sec. 22: Sec. 23: 5 Santa Rita BLM land 4 Project

Figure 5-5. Plan map of LA59286.

14

LA150542

Description

The site consists of a small scatter of prehistoric ceramic and flaked lithic artifacts in a rock-strewn saddle overlooking the Rio Salado. No ground stone artifacts or features were observed.

Flaked lithic artifacts were a chert projectile point tip (probably from an arrow point), two flake tools, and approximately 20 pieces of debitage. The dominant lithic material is a white chert; also present are a few pieces of mustard yellow chert, red quartzite and rhyolite. Ceramics consist of approximately 30 sherds from a greyware jar. The jar was constructed of a greenish-gray paste with rock temper; it had a smooth finish and a slightly everted rim.

The site was apparently utilized for a short time during the Anasazi period.

NRHP Recommendation

The site is recommended as ineligible to the National Register of Historic Places. Recordation has exhausted the site’s data potential.

Management Recommendation

No further work is recommended. The site has been avoided by rerouting of the access road.

LA150542 N G. Duncan 10/18/05 0 5 10 m

Boulder-strewn Slope

Boulders

Site Boundary

Boulder with rocks stacked on top

Photo jpg.2670

Sandstone Boulders Boulders

Ridge Escarpment

Figure 5-6. Plan map of LA15042.

15 LA150543

Description

The site consists of a lithic and ceramic scatter in association with a small concentration of sandstone rocks. The site is located on the north side of a small ridge in the Rio Salado flood plain.

The ceramic assemblage is composed of grayware body sherds, a brownware body sherd, one Tularosa Black-on- white bowl sherd and two Soccoro Black-on-white sherds. The flaked lithic assemblage contains a core/chopper, two utilized flakes and debitage; lithic materials include siltstone, quartzite, and obsidian (probably from Grants). The single groundstone artifact is a mano fragment.

The 5-meter-diameter sandstone concentration contains 11 unshaped sandstone rocks. It is possibly, but not definitely, the remains of a field house.

Based on the sherds and sandstone concentration, the site is interpreted as the remains of a field house occupied during the Anasazi Pueblo II period.

NRHP Recommendation

The site is recommended as eligible to the National Register of Historic Places as excavations would be likely to yield important information concerning use of the Rio Salado flood plain during the Pueblo II time period.

Management Recommendation

As currently staked, the proposed road will impact the possible structure. Avoid the site by shifting the road further to the north within th 60 foot road easement.

LA150543 N P.J. Rohman 10/18/05 0 2.5 5 m

c ente rline Photo of p ropo jpg.2672 sed road Rocks on surface, possibly associated w/ a structure

x Mano

Sandstone Boulders

Rock Ledge

Site Boundary

Figure 5-7. Plan map of LA150543.

16 LA150544

Description

The site consists of the remains of a circular rock alignment and two small horizontally laid rock wall segments. No artifacts were found in association with these architectural elements.

The rock alignment measures approximately 5 meters by 3 meters in size. It was formed by inserting and/or stacking rocks into gaps among in situ rocks (including three large boulders). The walls were never much taller than one or two courses. The larger southern boulder has a slight overhang which measures 2 meters long by 0.5 meters tall and 0.5 meters deep. This overhang might have afforded some protection from the elements. No evidence (such as wood) exists for a roof or superstructure. A drainage channel cuts through the rock alignment.

To the northeast and upslope are the remains of two horizontal masonry wall segments. They are built between several boulders on this steep slope. They do not appear to define any space and there is little flat ground behind the walls or boulders. Their function is unknown, although there is no doubt as to their cultural origin.

The age and the function of the site is unknown. It could be the remains of an Anasazi temporary structure, an historic corral and fence, or a modern game blind and wall.

NRHP Recommendation

The site is recommended as ineligible to the Natioanl Register of Historic Places. The site lacks integrity and subsurface deposits. Further investigations are unlikely to yield additional information concerning the site.

Management Recommendation

No further work is recommended. The site has been avoided by rerouting the proposed road.

LA150544 N

P.J. Rohman 10/18/05 0 2.5 5 m

wall Photo segments jpg.2667

rock alignment

boulder with overhang

Sandstone Boulders dead juniper with ax-cut limbs

sandstone rock used in construction sandstone boulder/rock

Figure 5-8. Plan map of LA150544. 17 LA150545

Description

The site consists of a lithic and ceramic scatter with two possible features, located on a terrace of the Rio Salado. The site is interpreted as the remains of an Anasazi Pueblo II camp or activity.

The flaked lithic assemblage is composed of 20 debitage flakes, three cores, one scraper, five hammerstones and three flake tools. The debitage is primarily the result of core reduction activities, with no decortifaction and just a few thinning flakes observed. Lithic materials include chert, quartzite, and rhyolite.

Ground stone artifacts consist of three one-hand manos and a basin metate.

The ceramic assemblage is composed of one Soccoro Black-on-white and eight plain gray jar body sherds.

Feature 1 is composed of a burned upright sandstone slab in association with a scatter of fire-cracked rock. Feature 2 is an unburned upright sandstone slab. No charcoal or charcoal-stained soil was observed with either feature. Subsurface cultural deposits might be present in these features, or elsewhere in the surrounding sandy soil.

NRHP Recommendation

The site is recommended as eligible to the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion d. Excavations might yield information important to our understanding of land use and settlement along the Rio Salado in Pueblo II times.

Management Recommendation

No further work is recommended. The proposed road avoids the site to the west and south.

LA150545 N

G. Duncan 0 10 20 m 10/18/05

Base of Ridge

x Mano Vertical Slab

x Mano Juniper

S Mano x ite B o u n d Vertical a r Slab Sandstone Boulders y Photo jpg.2665

Propo sed Road

E xis ting Tw o T rac k R Ri oa F o d lo Sa o la dp d la o in

Figure 5-9. Plan map of LA150545.

18 LA150546

Description

The site consists of the remains of an Anasazi Pueblo II seasonal habitation situated on a hill in a small tributary valley to the Rio Salado. Located on the site were the remains of three probable structures, a midden and a scatter of artifacts.

Structure 1 measures 1.5 meters in diameter and is represented by eight unburned sandstone slabs. The east and northeast sides are formed by two upright slabs, and the remaining walls are indicated by six fallen slabs. This might be the remains of a storage cist.

Structure 2 measures 2 meters in diameter and is represented by a single upright slab and a scatter of sandstone, mudstone, and volcanic rocks. Perched on the edge of a 1-meter-deep arroyo, this structure may only be partially intact.

Structure 3 is an area of sandstone rock approximately 2 meters by 3 meters in size, located at the base of a rocky slope and overgrown with a juniper tree and bushes. It is probably of cultural origin, and probably represents the remains of a single masonry room.

The midden, located south of Structures 1 and 2, contains several hundred lithic and ceramic artifacts. Flaked lithics include debitage flakes, cores, flake tools and a scraper. The most common lithic material is a lusterous black chert; also present is white/clear quartzite and rhyolite. Ground stone artifacts include a basalt trough metate fragment and a two-hand trough-type mano. Ceramics include whitewares, graywares, and brownwares. The whitewares represent almost 50% of the assemblage, with both Tularosa and Soccoro Black-on-white present. The graywares are mostly plain gray; one unindented corrugated sherd was observed. The few brownware sherds were heavily smudged on both the interior and exterior.

NRHP Recommendation

The site is recommended as eligible to the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion d. Despite heavy disturbance to the site by erosion, it is believed that excavation of the remaining deposits could contribute to our understanding of land use in the Rio Salado Valley during the Pueblo II period.

Management Recommendation

No further work is recommended. The site has been avoided by rerouting the proposed road. LA150546 N G. Duncan 10/19/05 0 10 20 m

Photo ed Road Propos Upright jpg.2681 Slabs F3 Metate Upright F1 Slab F2

Midden

Knob

Minor Concentration Pond

Site Boundary Sandstone Boulders

Figure 5-10. Plan map of LA150546. 19 LA150547

Description

The site consists of a petroglyph panel with artifacts, located on several boulders at the base of a talus slope on the Rio Salado flood plain.

The petroglyph panel is pecked into the northeast vertical face of a fall boulder, 1-2 meters above the ground surface. The panel is composed of four images: a spiral, a snake (?), a curvilinear (C-shaped) design and a rectilinear (L- shaped) design.

Nearby, on top of a relatively flat boulder, is a series of (at least) six holes pecked into the rock’s surface. The pecked holes range in size from 2 cm in diameter by 0.5 cm in depth to 15 cm in diameter by 15 cm in depth. It is not known whether these holes are symbolic or functional in nature; if functional, they may have served as bedrock mortars. On the northeast corner of the rock is a hole that measures 25 cm in diameter by 20 cm in depth; this hole may or may not be cultural in origin.

In spatial association with the petroglyph panel are four lithic artifacts: two debitage flakes, a hammerstone and a chopper. This site is of unknown prehistoric cultural affiliation.

NRHP Recommendation

The site is recommended as eligible to the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion d. Detailed recordation of the panel and bedrock excavations could yield information concerning the chronology of the site.

Management Recommendation

The site is avoided: no further work is recommended.

LA150547 N

10/19/05 P.J. Rohman 0 2.5 5 m

ry nda Bou Site x

lithic artifacts x x

boulder with pecked areas

x petroglyph panel

modern rock alignment

Photo jpg.2695

boulders

Sandstone Boulders

Figure 5-11. Plan map of LA150547.

20 LA150548

Description

The site consists of the remains of an Anasazi Pueblo II habitation in a tributary valley of the Rio Salado. The site’s location on a ridge provides an excellent view of the surrounding valley and the Rio Salado.

The habitation is represented by two rubble mounds, a probable kiva depression, and a midden. The northern rubble mound is composed of blocky sandstone and measures approximately 4 meters by 6 meters by less than 1 meter in height. The kiva depression, located directly east of the northern rubble mound, measures 4 meters in diameter and less than 50 cm deep. The southern rubble mound forms an arc opening to the east and measures 8 meters by 4 meters.

Strewn down the ridge slope to the east of the structures is the midden. The midden contains hundreds of artifacts, including groundstone (a trough metate fragment, two hand manos, hammerstones, etc.) flaked lithics (debitage and informal flake tools) , and ceramics (brownwares, greywares, and whitewares). Brownwares include narrow banded sherds, smudged sherds, and a rim of a Jornada Mogollon vessel. Greywares include plain gray, banded and unindented corrugated ceramics. Whitewares include sherds from Soccoro and Tularosa Black-on-white jars and bowls.

NRHP Recommendation

The site is recommended as eligible to the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion d. Excavations would be likely to yield important information concerning the Pueblo II occupation of the Rio Salado drainage basin.

Management Recommendation

The site is avoided: no further work is recommended.

�������� � �� ������ �������� � � �� �

����� ������ ���� �����

����� ������ ����� ������

��������� ��������

����� ��������

Figure 5-12. Plan map of LA150548.

21 LA150549

Description

The site consists of the remains of a two-room masonry structure and six prehistoric artifacts. The structure was built on top of a narrow ridge in the valley of a tributary drainage to the Rio Salado.

The two rooms were built of approximately 200 unshaped sandstone blocks. Based on the extant walls and surrounding wall fall, the blocks had originally been (dry?) laid in horizontal courses. The north and south rooms are contiguous; a possible L-shaped retaining wall is located north and west of the south rooom. The north room is circular to oval in shape and measures approximately 2.5 meters by 3.5 meters in size. Up to five courses of stacked rock are still visible. The south room is also circular to oval in shape and measures 3.5 meters by 4.5 meters in diameter. It is represented by up to two courses of masonry blocks. Based on the extant walls and wall fall, it appears that the walls were never very tall (2-5 courses or less than 0.5 meters). The structure may never have been roofed; the nature of a superstructure, if any, is not apparent.

In loose association with the rooms were six artifacts: a greyware sherd, a quartzite core, a quartzite flake and two rocks (one quartzite, one basalt) that may have been used as choppers.

The function of this site is unknown, but based on the limited artifact assemblage, it does not appear to have served as a domestic habitation. Based on the single grayware sherd, and on the site’s proximity to several Late Anasazi (Pueblo II or Pueblo III) habitations, the site is believed to be of Anasazi Pueblo II or Pueblo III cultural affiliation.

NRHP Recommendation

The site is recommended as eligible to the National Register of historic places under criterion d. Excavations would be likely to yield important information concerning site structure and land use in the Rio Salado drainage.

Management Recommendation

The site is avoided: no further work is recommended

LA150549 N

P.J. Rohman 10/20/05 0 5 10 m

north room

south room retaining wall (?)

sherd

core

Photo jpg.2708

Sandstone Boulders

sandstone wall/rubble slope

Figure 5-13. Plan map of LA150549. 22 LA150550

Description

The site consists of a lithic and ceramic scatter on a ridge top overlooking a main tributary to the Rio Salado.

Flaked lithics consist of a core, a scraper, a flake tool and debitage of chalcedony, rhyolite, and quartzite. (No ground stone items were observed.) Several dozen greyware, whiteware, and brownware sherds are present, including a shattered Socorro Black-on-white bowl.

The artifacts are relatively concentrated and appear to represent a midden from domestic activities. While no architecture is evident on the surface, a low area north of the midden might be the location of a subterranean structure or pithouse.

The site is interpreted as a short-term or seasonal habitation that was occupied during the Anasazi Pueblo II period.

NRHP Recommendation

The site is recommended as eligible to the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion d. Excavations would be likely to yield important information concerning site structure and land use in the Rio Salado drainage.

Management Recommendation

The site is avoided: no further work is recommended.

LA150550 N G. Duncan 10/20/05 0 5 10 m

Photo jpg.2713 Possible Pithouse

y ar nd ou B ite S

Sandstone Boulders Proposed Road

Figure 5-14. Plan map of LA150550. 23 LA150551

Description

The site consists of the remains of an isolated historic homestead in a side draiange of the Rio Salado. It is located within 0.5 mile of, and assumed to be associated with, the town of Riley. It is located along a roadway (as indicated on the USGS map) that terminates in the flood plain by Riley. The remains of the homestead include the bases of two masonry structures (Structures 1 and 2), two masonry walls (Features 1 and 2) and a scatter of domestic debris and roughcut building lumber. The site is estimated to have been occupied between 1910 and 1940.

Structure 1 is rectangular in shape and measures approximately 5 meters by 7 meters in size. It is represented by northern, western and southern walls. These walls were built of large unshaped sandstone blocks laid in mud mortar.

Structure 2 is also rectangular in shape and measures approximately 6 meters by 10 meters in size. It is evidenced by the remains of a masonry foundation and walls.

Feature 1 is a small horizontal masonry wall built in a small overhang of Structure 1’s northeast-corner boulder. The function of this wall is unknown.

Feature 2 is a linear horizontal masonry wall built just below a small rock rim west of Structure 2. It is 10 meters long and 4-5 courses high. At the southern edge of this wall is a cluster of roughcut 1 x 1 and 2 x 2 boards and the remains of a door jamb and hinges. Perhaps this is the remains of a barn.

Scattered throughout the site are artifacts, including purple, brown, aqua and clear glass, porcelain transfer print plate and cup fragments, hinges, wire nails, milled lumber and a cast iron pot belly (?) wood stove ornament skirt.

NRHP Recommendation

The site is recommended as eligible to the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion d. Excavations would be likely to yield important information about land use patterns in the Rio Salado drainage basin during the Historic period.

Management Recommendation

No further work is recommended. The site is avoided by development activities.

LA150551 N

G. Duncan 11/08/05 0 10 20 m

ry a d n u o B e it S F. 2

Str. 2

-

s e r n

e i

d L l F. 1 u e o g b id R Str. 1 -

Sandstone Boulders Photo jpg. 2728 & 2729

Figure 5-15. Plan map of LA150551. 24 LA150552

Description

The site consists of the remains of a Pueblo II-III habitation and use area on the flood plain of the Rio Salado. Located on the site are a probable roomblock, a midden, and a use area with two deflated features.

The roomblock measures 4 meters by 7 meters, and is composed of sandstone and igneous rocks and one upright slab.

The midden contains several dozen artifacts. Ceramics include Soccoro Black-on-white and Cibola (?) whitewares, plain (with or without interior smudging) and narrow unobliterated coil brownwares and graywares. Lithics include core reduction debitage, utilized flakes, and two groundstone fragments. Quartzite appears to be the most common flaked lithic material, with lesser amounts of chert and obsidian present.

The work area, located 50 meters to the east, contains a sparse artifact scatter and two deflated concentrations of thermally altered tabular sandstone.

NRHP Recommendation

The site is recommended as eligible to the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion d. Excavations of the site would greatly increase our knoweldge of the Pueblo II - III occupation of the Rio Salado drainage.

Management Recommendation

No further work is recommended. The site is avoided by development activities.

LA150552 N B. Shanks 11/8/05 0 5 10 m

e lop - S x

Ba x rb x R w io ire x x S fe al nc x ad e x o x x x

x x x ite x u r q te n s t ) o e a k m x c c m / x S o tu ia l a c k b a c m D c o o A R o x (r x F1 x Upright x section Slab marker

x Midden F2

)

d

a

o

R

x d e

d

a hill and fallen l B sheep fence ( Sandstone Boulders x 4 3 Site Boundary 5 R

F Earthen Dam x

x

x

Figure 5-16. Plan map of LA150552.

25 LA150553

Description

Situated along a ridge line on a terrace of the Rio Salado, this site is a large multi-loci, multi-component habitation. Three components are represented: Anasazi Pueblo I, Anasazi Pueblo II and Historic Hispanic/Euro-american.

This site is contiguous and probably associated with site LA31831. Due to management considerations and the sheer size of the site, it was decided to record it separately.

The Pueblo I occupation is the largest and most intense occupation of the site. Surface remains currently visible consist of one rock scatter (Structure 3), five adobe mounds (Structures 2, 4, 5, 8 and 9), three possible pithouse depressions (all associated with Structure 9), two middens and an isolated feature (Feature 1).

The adobe mounds are low concentrations of pieces of burned adobe. A few of the pieces of adobe contain beam impressions or smoothed surfaces. Structure 6 contains an upright slab.

Although only Structure 9 has associated visible pithouse depressions, it is likely that the other five identified structures also have one or more associated, but not currently visible, pithouses. Furthermore, it is likely that the site contains more roomblocks and associated pithouses, none of which are currently visible from the surface.

The two middens, covering more than 5 acres, contain thousands of lithic and ceramic artifacts. Within this scatter are thousands of greyware sherds, some brownware sherds, some broad neckbanded sherds, and a few redware sherds. Whitewares are uncommon and consist of remnants of both jars and bowls with minimal slips and linear decorations (White Mound, Kiatuthlanna, and Red Mesa Black-on-white). A stemmed Archaic-style dart point was found in the midden; this was probably prehistorically collected and curated by an occupant of the site.

The Pueblo II occupation is represented by Structure 6 and its associated pitstructure depression, both located in the southeast portion of the site. Structure 6 is a masonry roomblock that measures roughly 15 meters by 3 meters. It forms a south-facing arc that partially encloses the depression (kiva?). A scatter of Socorro Black-on-white sherds is associated with Structure 6.

The prehistoric components are overlain by an historic component, represented by two roads, two structure foundations (Structures 1 and 7), and two middens. The historic component dates between 1900-1920. It is temporally and spatially associated with the town of Riley. The historic Riley to Belen road runs through the north side of the site.

Imediately north of this road is the rock foundation for a house (Structure 1) that measures approximately 30 feet square. The rock foundation is divided into four rooms. The eastern rooms measure roughly 12 x 14 feet and the western rooms measure 16 x 14 feet. The northeastern room appears to have had a crawl space under it and the east wall has a gap in the foundation. Based on the absence of wall and roof material, it appears that the superstructure was removed from its foundation.

The midden surrounding Structure 1 contains numerous tin cans, and pottery, metal and bottle fragments. Bottle fragments are from purple, brown, aqua, green, white and clear glass bottles.

Located in the southeast corner of the site is Structure 7. This structure is represented by low cobble walls forming an area 5 x 5 meters in size. The small midden east of Structure 7 contains metal cans and porcelean fragments.

NRHP Recommendation

The site is recommended as eligible to the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion d. Excavations would yield important information concerning both the Anasazi and Historic occupations of the Rio Salado valley.

Management Recommendation

The proposed road is located in the northern portion of the site, (a) on top of the northern prehistoric and historic middens and the historic Riley to Belen road, and (b) immediately adjacent to historic Structure 1. Development impacts to the site could be eliminated by either one of the two following mitigation measures. (1) The proposed road could be rerouted to the north of the site boundary, thus avoiding the site. (2) The proposed road could be left along the proposed route. If this measure is taken, the road (a) should not be bladed; (b) should be covered with a geotextile fabric; and (c) should be padded with gravel. The covering/padding of the road through the site should be monitored by an archaeologist. 26 LA150553 N J. Fetterman, 11/8/05

0 30 60 m

Prehistoric Midden Riley-to-Belen historic road centerline of Historic Str. 1 proposed Midden Structure 2 road Surface Architecture Str. 2 Identified Possible Pithouse Str. 3 Str. 4

m corral a d

Str. 5

Str. 6 Str. 8

Str. 7 X Fence Sandstone Boulders Str. 7 Site Boundary F-1 x 2-Track

dam

Ri o Sa lado

Figure 5-17. Plan map of LA150553.

27 LA150554

Description

The site consists of the remains of a masonry room and a sparse artifact scatter. It is located on a talus slope above the flood plain of a tributary to the Rio Salado.

The room was built up against a boulder, which forms the room’s southern wall. The remaining three walls were built of several hundred irregular quartzitic sandstone rocks stacked loosely on top of each other. Most of these walls have collapsed, forming linear rubble piles. The walls are up to 50 cm in height and once could have been as tall as 1.5 meters in height. The structure is approximately 2.5 meters by 3 meters in size.

Artifacts consist of the remains of a brown glass (beer?) bottle, two fragments of lumber and a quartzite flake.

The structure probably dates to the late 19 th or early 20th century and is associated with the town of Santa Rita/ Riley.

NRHP Recommendation

The site is recommended as eligible to the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion d. Excavations would be likely to yield data that could help in understanding chronology and land use in the Rio Salado drainage.

Management Recommendation

The site is avoided: no further work is recommended.

LA150554 N P.J. Rohman 10/19/05 0 2.5 5 m osed road nterline of prop approximate ce

Photo jpg.2698

x x x base of slope x xx x bottle fragments x x x flake x 0 5 10 m slope

slope sandstone walls/rubble Sandstone Boulders

sandstone boulder

1" thick board fragments (heavily weathered)

Figure 5-18. Plan map of LA150554. 28 LA150555

Description

The site consists of the remains of a masonry-based structure and two artifacts.

The structure is rectangular and measures 2 meters by 4 meters by 0.3 meters tall. It is represented by approximately 50 unshaped sandstone rocks. No evidence of horizontal coursing was observed. The rock faces contain some lichen but the lichen does not bridge gaps between the rocks. The interior of the feature appears to be shallowly excavated.

These rocks are thought to represent the remains of a (probably single-coursed) foundation or wall. The structure may never have been roofed; the nature of a superstructure, if any, is not apparent.

The two spatially associated artifacts are a probable slab metate and a primary chert flake.

The site is tentatively assigned an Unknown Prehistoric component, based on the presence of the two lithic artifacts and the absence of any historic or modern artifacts. The function of this site is unknown, but based on the limited artifact assemblage, it does not appear to have functioned as a domestic habitation.

NRHP Recommendation

The site is recommended as eligible to the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion d. Excavations would be likely to yield data that could help in understanding the chronology and land use of the Rio Salado valley.

Management Recommendation

The site is avoided: no further work is recommended.

LA150555 N G. Duncan 10/19/05 0 5 10 m

e p lo S

F1 Knob

Site Boundary Photo jpg.2696

Sandstone Boulders

Figure 5-19. Plan map of LA150555.

29 LA150556

Description

This site consists of the remains of the historic Riley to Belen Road. It is a linear track approximately 3 meters in width that had been graded in areas to flatten the road surface. No features such as culverts or masonry embankment walls were located in association with this segment of the road.

According to Mr. Spears, the current property owner, this road is more than 100 years old and was the access to the north for the residents of Riley prior to the building of the Bernardo Road. Mr. Spears stated that sections of the old road bed with concrete embankments can still be found in the canyon to the north.

The portion of the road documented here is located on private land north and east of the town of Riley. In this location the road varies in condition and appearance from good (easy-to-follow, linear road bed with low berms) to poor (washed out and impossible to discern).

NRHP Recommendation

The site is recommended as not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The road served a limited purpose.

Management Recommendation

No further work is recommended.

Figure 5-20. Photograph looking north up road. 2662JPG

30 LA151415

Description

The site consists of the remains of a stone enclosure or foundation, located on the top of an eroded ridge. No artifacts were observed.

The low stone wall was built with 50-100 unshaped sandstone rocks probably obtained from a rocky ridge 10 m to the south. The wall is 3 to 4 courses (30 cm) tall and forms a rectangle approximately 2 meters by 2.5 meters in size. The wall has an opening to the east.

The age of the wall is not known but appears relatively recent, due to the lack of lichen spanning rock joints.

NRHP Recommendation

More data are needed concerning the age and function of this site before an adequate assessment can be made concerning the site’s eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places.

Management Recommendation

No further work is recommended. The site is avoided by development activities.

LA151415 N

0 5 10 m

e rlin nte ce ad ro ed os op pr

Photo jpg.2687 g e n t Site Boundary le s lo p e ge rid ky roc

Sandstone Boulders

s te e p rocky ridge s lo p e

Figure 5-21. Plan map of LA151415.

31 LA151416

Description

The site consists of a small rockshelter opening to the northwest and overlooking the flood plain of a tributary to the Rio Salado. The site was probably occupied during the Anasazi period.

The rockshelter measures 3 meter wide by 1 meter deep. It is 1 meter tall at its opening and 0.2 meter tall at the rear. It has a rock floor.

A semi-circular wall is built across the mouth of the shelter. The wall is dry-laid and made of unshaped local sandstone rocks. It is up to 6 courses (50 cm) tall and built of approximately 100 rocks.

The only associated artifact is a single redware sherd. It is a highly polished jar sherd with very fine sand temper.

NRHP Recommendation

The site is recommended as not eligible to the National Register of Historic Places. This recordation has exhausted the site’s research potential.

Management Recommendation

No further work is recommended. The site is avoided by development activities.

LA151416 N

0 5 10 m floodplain

ridge top

live and dead junipers

alcove and site boundary

Sandstone Boulders

d roa ed pos pro

Figure 5-22. Plan map of LA151416.

32 LA151417

Description

The site consists of a small rockshelter opening to the north and overlooking the flood plain of a tributary to the Rio Salado.

The rockshelter measures 2.5 meter wide by 2 meter deep. It is 1.5 meter tall at its opening and 0.5 meter tall at the rear. It has a rock floor. A large packrat nest is in the southeast portion of the shelter.

A wall has been built along the east side of the shelter. This is a well-built simple masonry wall made of unshaped local sandstone tabular rocks set in thick (2-4 cm ) beds of brown native soil (adobe mortar). It is 7 courses (1 meter) tall and approximately 1 meter long. It does not appear to have been any bigger than this originally, based on the absence of any rubble on the slope below the shelter.

Based on architectural style, the wall is believed to be of Anasazi Pueblo II or Pueblo III affiliation. No prehistoric artifacts were observed in the shelter, in the packrast nest, or the area surrounding the shelter.

NRHP Recommendation

The site is recommended as not eligible to the National Register of Historic Places. This recordation has exhausted the site’s research potential.

Management Recommendation

No further work is recommended. The site is avoided by development activities.

LA151417

b N r e a c h

e 0 5 10 m d d a m

wall

ge led alcove and site boundary e dg le

e g Sandstone Boulders d le

d a o r d e s o p o r p

Figure 5-23. Plan map of LA151417.

33 LA151418

Description

The site consists of a small scatter of lithic and ceramic materials in a saddle of ridges formed by uplifted sandstone. The ridges are located above the floodplain of a tributary valley of the Rio Salado. The artifacts are situtated on the rocky area formed by an igneous dike.

Located on the site were approximately two dozen artifacts. The 17 sherds represent three vessels: a redware jar (six sherds), a whiteware bowl (probably Red Mesa Black-on-white) (six sherds), and a plain gray jar (five sherds). The lithics consist of a red metaquartzite core and six large core debitage flakes of white metaquatzite (3), rhyolite (2), and red metaquartzite (1).

No formal tools or features were observed. The site is interpreted as a limited activitiy area occupied in the late Pueblo I or early Pueblo II period.

NRHP Recommendation

The site is recommended as not eligible to the National Register of Historic Places. This recordation has exhausted the site’s research potential.

Management Recommendation

No further work is recommended. The site is avoided by development activities.

LA151418 N

0 5 10 m

proposed road

Photo jpg.2929 sparse snakeweed

Site Boundary

Sandstone Boulders

relative contour lines ke live and dead di lt junipers sa ba

Figure 5-24. Plan map of LA151418.

34 LA151419

Description

The site consists of a discrete scatter of lithic and ceramic artifacts. It is concentrated in a 10 x 10 meter area located on a small ridge area within a side tributary valley to the Rio Salado.

Located on the site were 40+ fragments of an undecorated whiteware jar and 20+ pieces of debitage. The vast majority of the debitage was large core flakes of a local white metaquartzite. Two flakes of chert were observed in the assemblage. The sherds date the site to the Anasazi Pueblo II or Pueblo III period.

The tight pattern of spatial distribution suggests that the artifacts were deposited in association with just one or two (rather than many) use episodes. No formal tools or features were observed.

NRHP Recommendation

The site is recommended as not eligible to the National Register of Historic Places. This recordation has exhausted the site’s research potential.

Management Recommendation

No further work is recommended. The site is avoided by development activities.

LA 151419 N

0 5 10 m

Rim Rock

sparse juniper and snakeweed

dead dead juniper juniper Site Boundary Sandstone Boulders saddle

live Photo juniper jpg.2933 Rim Rock

Figure 5-25. Plan map of LA151419. 35 CHAPTER 6: SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The cultural resource survey located 22 sites and 16 isolated occurrences. The majority of the sites are small single or multiple residence Anasazi sites; several are Historic sites associated with the Hispanic town of Riley.

With regard to eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places, of the 22 sites, eight are recommended as not eligible, two require more data before an adequate assessment can be made, and twelve are recommended as eligible (see Table 6-1). These 12 sites are recommended as eligible under Criterion d, in that they contain information important to our understanding of the prehistory or history of the area.

Table 6-1. National Register of Historic Places Eligibility and Management Recommendations

Site # NRHP Development Impacts Recommendations Eligibility LA31833 eligible The site is avoided by development activites. No further work is recommended. LA59286 eligible The site is avoided by development activites. No further work is recommended. LA150542 not The site has been avoided by the rerouting No further work is recommended. eligible of the access road. LA150543 eligible As currently staked, the proposed road will Avoid the site by shifting the road further to the north within the impact the possible structure. 60 foot road easement. LA150544 not The site has been avoided by the rerouting No further work is recommended. eligible of the proposed road. LA150545 not sure The proposed road avoids the site to the No further work is recommended. west and south. LA150546 eligible The site has been avoided by rerouting the No further work is recommended. proposed road. LA150547 eligible The site is avoided. No further work is recommended. LA150548 eligible The site is avoided. No further work is recommended. LA150549 eligible The site is avoided. No further work is recommended. LA150550 eligible The site is avoided. No further work is recommended. LA150551 eligible The site is avoided. No further work is recommended. LA150552 eligible The site is avoided. No further work is recommended. LA150553 eligible The proposed road is located in the northern Development impacts to the site could be eliminated by either portion of the site, (a) on top of the northern one of the two following mitigation measures. (1) The proposed prehistoric and historic middens and road could be rerouted to the north of the site boundary, thus the historic Riley to Belen road, and (b) avoiding the site. (2) The proposed road could be left along the immediately adjacent to historic Structure 1. proposed route. If this measure is taken, the road (a) should not be bladed; (b) should be covered with a geotextile fabric; and (c) should be padded with gravel. The covering/padding of the road through the site should be monitored by an archaeologist. LA150554 eligible The site is avoided. No further work is recommended. LA150555 eligible The site is avoided. No further work is recommended. LA150556 not The majority of the road will be avoided No further work is recommended. eligible by the development activities. Portions of the road will, however, be removed by subdivision roads. LA151415 not sure The site is avoided. No further work is recommended. LA151416 not The site is avoided. No further work is recommended. eligible LA151417 not The site is avoided by development activites. No further work is recommended. eligible LA151418 not The site is avoided by development activites. No further work is recommended. eligible LA151419 not The site is avoided by development activites. No further work is recommended. eligible

36 As can be seen from Table 6-1, all 22 sites are avoided by proposed development activities, with the exception of two sites. It is recommended that archaeological clearance be given for the project with the following two stipulations. (1) Avoid site LA150543 by rerouting the road to avoid the site. (2) Either (a) avoid site LA150553 by rerouting the road or, if this is not feasible, (b) protect the site by covering the road with geotextile fiber and gravel padding; archaeologically monitor all 2b activities.

In summary, a sample survey was conducted of Santa Rita Ranches, a proposed land development north of Magdalena, New Mexico. Of the 22 sites located, 12 are recommended as eligible to the National Register of Historic Places and 20 have been avoided by proposed development activities. A plan has been developed to eliminate impacts associated with the development, and if followed, the development of the ranch will not impact significant cultural resources.

37 CHAPTER 7: REFERENCES CITED

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38 Gossett, C. W. 1985 Projectile Points as Chronological Indicators. In Class II Cultural Resource Survey, Upper Gila Water Supply Study, Central Arizona Project, edited by R. C. Chapman, C. W. Gosset, and W. J. Gossett, pp. 104-136. Deuel and Associates, Inc. Albuquerque.

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Kight, Bill 1979 Site Forms for site LA31833. ARMS. Santa Fe, NM

Magdalena Centennial Committee 1984 Celebrating 100 Years of Frontier Living. Bandar Log, Inc, Magdalena.

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Vincent, Dwain 1973 Site Forms for site LA31831 and LA31833. ARMS. Santa Fe, NM

Wheat, J. B. 1955 Mogollon culture prior to A.D. 1000. Memoirs of the Society for American Archaeology No. 10, Salt Lake City.

Wimberly, M. and P. Eidenbach 1980 Reconnaissance study of the archaeological and related resources of the lower Puerco and Salado drainages, central New Mexico. Human Systems Research, Tularosa.

40