San Antonio, Texas
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Historical and Archaeological Investigations at the Site of Rivercenter Mall (Las Tiendas), San Antonio, Texas edited by Anne A. Fox and Marcie Renner with contributions by 1. Waynne Cox, Kevin J. Gross, William L. McClure, and Cynthia L. Tennis Archaeological Survey Report, No. 270 Center for Archaeological Research The University of Texas at San Antonio 1999 Historical and Archaeological Investigations at the Site of Rivercenter Mall (Las Tiendas), San Antonio, Texas edited by Anne A. Fox and Marcie Renner with contributions by I. Waynne Cox, Kevin J. Gross, William L. McClure, and Cynthia L. Tennis Robert J. Hard, Jack D. Eaton, and Thomas R. Hester Prinicipal Investigators Texas Antiquities Permit No. 433 ©copyright 1999 Center for Archaeological Research The University of Texas at San Antonio Archaeological Survey Report, No. 270 The following information is provided in accordance with the General Rules of Practice and Procedure, Chapter 41.11 (Investigative Reports), Texas Antiquities Committee: 1. Type of investigation: Testing and mitigation 2. Project name: Rivercenter Mall (Las Tiendas) 3. County: Bexar 4. Principal investigators: Robert J. Hard, Jack D. Eaton, and Thomas R. Hester 5. Name and location of sponsoring agency: City of San Antonio, P.O. Box 83996, San Antonio, Texas 6. Texas Antiquities Permit No.: 433 7. Published by the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 6900 N. Loop 1604 W., San Antonio, Texas 78249-0658, 1999 A list of publications offered by the Center for Archaeological Research is available. Call (210) 458-4378; write to the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 6900 N. Loop 1604 W., San Antonio, Texas 78249-0658; e-mail to [email protected]; or visit CAR's web site at http://www.csbs.utsa.edu/researchlcar/index.htm. Abstract From October 1984 to July 1985, the Center for Archaeological Research of The University of Texas at San Antonio conducted testing and mitigation on a three-block area intended to become a shopping center in down town San Antonio. The project was bounded on the north by Crockett Street, on the east by Bowie Street, on the south by Commerce Street, and on the west by Bonham Street. Information on the mapping and test excavations at 12 historic sites and total excavation of a well and a number of privies is reported in this publication. Analysis and description of the artifacts recovered and discussion of the architecture of the project area are also included. This was the first large-scale archaeological project conducted in the downtown area, involving excavation of deep deposits of artifacts related to the late nineteenth century. Techniques evolved during this project for historical research, oral history interviews, and excavation of wells and privies would prove essential to the planning of similar projects elsewhere. 1 Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................................................. i Figures ............................................................................................................................................................... iii Tables ................................................................................................................................................................... v Acknowledgments .............................................................................................................................................. vi Part I: Project Background Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 2 Chapter 2: Project Design ............................................................................................................................. 5 Chapter 3: Methodology ............................................................................................................................... 7 Chapter 4: History of the Project Area ......................................................................................................... 9 Part II: The Sites Chapter 5: The Degen House and Brewery ................................................................................................ 18 Chapter 6: The Tengg Site .......................................................................................................................... 33 Chapter 7: The Mueller Site ....................................................................................................................... 42 Chapter 8: The Vanderstratten Site ............................................................................................................. 51 Chapter 9: The Faska Site ........................................................................................................................... 66 Chapter 10: The Battaglia Site .................................................................................................................... 74 Chapter 11: The Kissling Site ..................................................................................................................... 78 Chapter 12: The Ludlow House and Moody Site ....................................................................................... 80 Chapter 13: The Fischer Site ...................................................................................................................... 87 Chapter 14: The Palm House ...................................................................................................................... 92 Chapter 15: Searching for the Funeral Pyre ................................................................................................ 97 Chapter 16: Moving the Fairmount Hotel ................................................................................................. 103 Part III: Conclusions Chapter 17: Summary and Conclusions .................................................................................................... 107 Part IV: References and Appendixes References Cited ....................................................................................................................................... 116 Appendix A: The Vertebrates of Las Tiendas by William L. McClure ...................................................................................................................... 124 Appendix B: Local Druggists ................................................................................................................... 146 Appendix C: Snails ................................................................................................................................... 148 An Early Urban Record of Opeas pyrgula in San Antonio, Texas by Raymond W. Neck ......................................................................................................................... 148 Appendix D: Skeletal Remains from the Funeral Pyre Area by David M. Glassman, Ph.D ............................................................................................................. 151 ii Figures 1-1. Project location ............................................................................................................................................ 2 2-1. Map of project area showing lots investigated ............................................................................................. 5 3-1. Structures and excavations on NCB 1010 .................................................................................................... 8 5-1. Charles Degen House ................................................................................................................................. 19 5-2. Location map of Degen and Mueller sites ................................................................................................. 19 5-3. Degen Brewery (DRT Library) .................................................................................................................. 20 5-4. Interior basement of Degen Brewery ca. 1890 (DRT Library) .................................................................. 20 5-5. Plan of test trenches at the Degen home .................................................................................................... 22 5-6. Plan of test trenches at Degen Brewery...................................................................................................... 23 5-7. Plan of Degen privy as located by testing .................................................................................................. 24 5-8. Section through Degen privy, looking east. ............................................................................................... 25 5-9. Chamber pot from Degen Privy.................................................................................................................. 30 5-10. Sample of bottles from the Degen Privy.................................................................................................. 31 6-1. Tengg house ca. 1884 (DRT Library) .............................................. :.......................................................... 35 6-2. Tengg house with second floor addition (DRT Library) ............................................................................ 36 6-3. Backhoe trenches on Tengg site ................................................................................................................