Grade Separation Over Csx Railroad Pd&E Study, Polk County, Florida
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CULTURAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT SURVEY SR 655 (RECKER HIGHWAY) GRADE SEPARATION OVER CSX RAILROAD PD&E STUDY, POLK COUNTY, FLORIDA FPID No.: 436560-1-22-01 Prepared for: FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION 545 John Knox Road, Suite 200 Tallahassee, Florida 32303 and the FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT ONE 801 North Broadway Avenue Bartow, Florida 33831 May 2016 CULTURAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT SURVEY SR 655 (RECKER HIGHWAY) GRADE SEPARATION OVER CSX RAILROAD PD&E STUDY, POLK COUNTY, FLORIDA FPID No. : 436560-1-22-01 Prepared for: FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION 545 John Knox Road, Suite 200 Tallahassee, Florida 32303 and the FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT ONE 801 North Broadway Avenue Bartow, Florida 33831 Prepared by: Archaeological Consultants, Inc. 8110 Blaikie Court, Suite A Sarasota, Florida 34240 Marion Almy – Project Manager Lee Hutchinson and Christine Newman– Project Archaeologists Katie Baar – Archaeologist Thomas J. Wilson – Architectural Historian In association with: Volkert, Inc. 1408 N. Westshore Blvd., Suite 600 Tampa, Florida 33607 May 2016 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Archaeological Consultants, Inc. (ACI) conducted a cultural resource assessment survey (CRAS) as part of the SR 655 (Recker Highway) Grade Separation over CSX Railroad Project Development & Environment (PD&E) Study, Polk County. The purpose of this CRAS was to locate and identify any cultural resources within the Area of Potential Effect (APE), and to assess their significance in terms of eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). This study was conducted in accordance with the requirements set forth in the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, and Chapter 267, Florida Statutes (FS). It was carried out in conformity with Part 2, Chapter 12 (Archaeological and Historical Resources) of the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) PD&E Manual, and the standards contained in the Florida Division of Historical Resources’ (FDHR) Cultural Resource Management Standards and Operational Manual (FDOT 1999; FDHR 2003). In addition, this study meets the specifications set forth in Chapter 1A-46, Florida Administrative Code (FAC). A review of the Florida Master Site File (FMSF) indicated an absence of archaeological sites recorded within the archaeological area of potential effect (APE), which is defined as the existing and proposed right-of-way (ROW). Archaeological field survey entailed ground surface reconnaissance and the excavation of subsurface shovel tests. As a result, no new archaeological sites were identified. Background research, including a review of the FMSF and NRHP, indicated that one historic resource (50 years of age or older) had been previously recorded within the project APE, the South Florida (CSX) Railroad (8PO07219). Previously recorded sections of this resource have not been evaluated due to insufficient information or have been evaluated as ineligible for listing in the NRHP (FMSF). Field survey confirmed the existence of a small segment (500 feet [ft] long) of this resource within the APE. Due to the fact that the segment reflects modern improvements in construction, including the replacement of tracks, railroad ties and other material which have diminished its integrity and changes to the surrounding landscape over time, it is not considered potentially eligible for listing in the NRHP. As a result of field survey, nine new historic resources (8PO07119, 8PO08030-8037) were identified and evaluated. These resources include eight buildings and one cemetery. All eight buildings represent commonly occurring styles, and some have been altered with replacement materials and additions. Furthermore, limited research did not indicate any significant historic associations. In addition, although located in proximity to one another, they do not form a cohesive group of buildings that could be considered a historic district. As a result, given their commonality of type, loss of integrity, and lack of significant historical associations, none is considered potentially eligible for the NRHP, either individually or as part of a historic district. The cemetery, Auburndale Memorial Park, does not derive its primary significance from graves of important persons, from age, from distinctive design features, or from association with historic events and therefore does not meet National Register Criteria Consideration D. As a result, 8PO07119 does not appear eligible for listing in the NRHP, either individually or as part of an historic district. Based on these findings, the proposed improvements to Recker Highway will have no involvement with any archaeological sites or historic resources that are listed, determined eligible, or considered potentially eligible for listing in the NRHP. P15100 i Cultural Resource Assessment Survey Recker Highway TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 1-1 1.1 Project Purpose and Need ................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Project Description ............................................................................................. 1-1 1.3 Area of Potential Effects (APE) .......................................................................... 1-3 1.4 Purpose ............................................................................................................... 1-3 2.0 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING ......................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Project Location, Physical Setting and Current Conditions ................................ 2-1 2.2 Geology and Geomorphology ............................................................................. 2-4 2.3 Soils and Vegetation ........................................................................................... 2-4 2.4 Paleo-environmental Considerations .................................................................. 2-4 3.0 CULTURAL HISTORY ...................................................................................................... 3-1 3.1 Paleo-Indian ........................................................................................................ 3-1 3.2 Archaic ................................................................................................................ 3-3 3.3 Formative ............................................................................................................ 3-3 3.4 Mississippian ...................................................................................................... 3-4 3.5 Colonialism ......................................................................................................... 3-4 3.6 Territorial and Statehood .................................................................................... 3-5 3.7 Civil War and Aftermath .................................................................................... 3-6 3.8 Twentieth Century .............................................................................................. 3-8 3.9 Project Specifics ................................................................................................. 3-9 4.0 BACKGROUND RESEARCH AND METHODS ............................................................ 4-1 4.1 Background Research and Literature Review ..................................................... 4-1 4.1.1 Archaeological Considerations ..................................................................... 4-1 4.1.2 Historical Considerations ............................................................................. 4-3 4.2 Field Methodology .............................................................................................. 4-3 4.3 Unexpected Discoveries ..................................................................................... 4-4 4.4 Laboratory Methods and Curation ...................................................................... 4-4 5.0 SURVEY RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................................... 5-1 5.1 Archaeological Results ....................................................................................... 5-1 5.2 Historical/Architectural Results .......................................................................... 5-1 5.3 Conclusions ....................................................................................................... 5-16 6.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................................ 6-1 APPENDICES: Appendix A: FMSF Forms Appendix B: Survey Log P15100 ii Cultural Resource Assessment Survey Recker Highway LIST OF FIGURES, TABLES, AND PHOTOGRAPHS Figures Page Figure 1.1. Location of the Recker Highway APE, Polk County. .................................................... 1-2 Figure 2.1. Environmental setting of the Recker Highway APE. ..................................................... 2-3 Figure 3.1. Florida Archaeological Regions. .................................................................................... 3-2 Figure 3.2. 1941 and 1968 aerial photos of the Recker Highway APE. ......................................... 3-10 Figure 4.1. Location of the previously recorded archaeological sites and linear resources within one mile of the Recker Highway APE ................................................................ 4-2 Figure 5.1. Location of the newly recorded buildings, cemetery,