Phase 1A Cultural Resource Survey Inner Loop East Reconstruction Project City of Rochester, Monroe County New York by Nathan Montague, M.A. Douglas J. Perrelli, Ph.D., RPA Principal Investigator Reports of the Archaeological Survey, Volume 45, Number 3 Department of Anthropology, State University of New York at Buffalo February 2013 Prepared for: Stantec Consulting Services Inc 61 Commercial Street Rochester, NY 14614 i MANAGEMENT SUMMARY Project Name: Inner Loop East Reconstruction Project Phase of Survey: Phase 1A Cultural Resource Survey Location Information: Location: City of Rochester Minor Civil Division: 05540 County: Monroe County, New York Survey Area: The project area examined by this study is located along the Inner Loop from I-490 (East of Genesee River) to East Main Street. The project area encompasses 11 ha (27 ac). USGS 7.5 Minute Quadrangle: 1971 Rochester East, N.Y. Sensitivity Assessments: Precontact: An analysis of the distribution of previously recorded sites along with other background research data suggests that the project area has a high sensitivity for precontact archaeological sites. Sites have been found in the vicinity of the project area and along the Genesee River, which lies close to the west end of the project area. Site types expected to occur include villages, short-term camps, lithic scatters, and artifact find spots. Sensitivity may be degraded by modern land use including recent utility installations, commercial and residential development, parking lot and sidewalk construction, highway construction, and landscaping. Historic land use patterns indicate that most of the project area has been impacted by development. However, relatively undisturbed precontact deposits may remain in the project area, especially around the perimeter of the project area. Similar deposits could be found buried below fill levels. Historic: The distribution of previously recorded historic sites near the project area, along with other background research data, suggests that the project area has a high historic sensitivity. Historic land use patterns indicate that development, starting in the early to mid-nineteenth century, impacted much of the project area. Undocumented historic sites dating to the first half of the nineteenth century might be situated within the project limits. Deeply buried deposits may include evidence from the basements of former buildings, as well as refuse pits, middens, and other special purpose agricultural and commercial structures and features. Recommendations: In terms of potential subsurface deposits, based on the sensitivity estimates and degrees of prior disturbance in the project area, limited Phase 1B fieldwork is feasible. Phase 1B testing in the form of transects and grids of hand- dug subsurface shovel pits at 7.5 m (25 ft) intervals is recommended for those parts of the project area covered by soil, grass and other penetrable surfaces. Construction monitoring is recommended for impervious areas where Phase 1B testing is not feasible, to assure that any deeply buried sites that might be present are identified within actual impact areas. Report Authors: Nathan Montague, M.A., Archaeological Survey, State University of New York at Buffalo, Department of Anthropology Date of Report: February 2013 Prepared for: Stantec Consulting Services Inc 61 Commercial Street Rochester, NY 14614 ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Management Summary i Introduction 1 Project Description 1 Project Location 1 Environmental Setting 10 Precontact Context 12 Historic Context 13 Recommendations 16 Appendix A References and Interviews 30 Appendix B Correspondence 32 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Summary of Recorded Archaeological Sites within a 1.6 km (1 mi) Radius of the Project Area. 11 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. General location of the Project Area in western New York State. 2 Figure 2. Location of the Project Area on the 1971 USGS Rochester East, N.Y. 7.5 Minute Quadrangle. 2 Figure 3. Recent aerial photograph of the Project Area. 3 Figure 4. 1820 A map of the Village of Rochester (Fenn 1820). 17 Figure 5. 1822 County of Monroe (Bugbee 1822). 17 Figure 6. 1832 Gill Valentine Map of Rochester (Gill et al. 1832). 18 Figure 7. 1858 Gillette’s Map of Monroe Co., New York (Browne et al. 1858). 19 Figure 8. 1875 City Atlas of Rochester, New York (Hopkins 1875). 20 Figure 9. 1875 City Atlas of Rochester, New York (Hopkins 1875). 20 Figure 10. 1875 City Atlas of Rochester, New York (Hopkins 1875). 21 Figure 11. 1888 Robinson’s Atlas of the City of Rochester, Monroe County, New York (Robinson 1888). 22 Figure 12. 1888 Robinson’s Atlas of the City of Rochester, Monroe County, New York (Robinson 1888). 23 Figure 13. 1900 Plat Book of the City of Rochester, New York (Lathrop 1900). 24 Figure 14. 1900 Plat Book of the City of Rochester, New York (Lathrop 1900). 25 Figure 15. 1918 Plat Book of the City of Rochester, New York (Hopkins 1918). 26 Figure 16. 1918 Plat Book of the City of Rochester, New York (Hopkins 1918). 27 Figure 17. 1935 Plat Book of the City of Rochester, New York (Hopkins 1935). 28 Figure 18. 1935 Plat Book of the City of Rochester, New York (Hopkins 1935). 29 Figure 19. Project Area Map. 39 Figure 20. Project Area Archaeological Potential Map. 47 iii LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS Photo 1. View of the southwestern end of the Project Area, facing west. 4 Photo 2. View of the Project Area, facing west. 4 Photo 3. View of the Project Area from just east of Monroe Avenue, facing northeast. 5 Photo 4. View of the Project Area between Buena Place and Lafayette Park, facing northeast. 5 Photo 5. View of the Project Area near Gardiner Park, facing north. 6 Photo 6. View of the Project Area at Gardiner Park, facing south. 6 Photo 7. View of the Project Area just south of East Avenue, facing northeast. 7 Photo 8. View of the Project Area just souoth of East Avenue, facing south. 7 Photo 9. View of the Project Area from just north of East Avenue, facing northwest. 8 Photo 10. View of the Project Area near the north end, facing southwest. 8 Photo 11. View of the Project Area near the north end, facing south. 9 Photo 12. View of the Project Area near the north end, facing northwest. 9 INTRODUCTION In February 2013, the Archaeological Survey, State University of New York (SUNY) Buffalo conducted a Phase 1A Cultural Resource Survey, consisting of background research, historic map analysis and context development for the Inner Loop East Reconstruction Project. This report presents the results of the investigation. The goals of this study are to identify and describe all previously identified archaeological sites within the project limits, to assess precontact and historic site potential, and to make recommendations for archaeological reconnaissance and mitigation where impacts are anticipated. All aspects of this study are performed in accordance with New York Archaeological Council specifications (NYAC 2004) and New State Education Department’s (SED) Work Scope Specifications for Cultural Resource Investigations (2004). Project Description Project plans call for the transformation of a portion of the Inner Loop highway system to a community-scale urban boulevard. The section of highway impacted extends from I-490 (East of Genesee River) to East Main Street (Figures 2, 3). The project area encompasses approximately 11 ha (27 ac). Proposed impacts to the project area include demolition and construction of utilities, landscaping, parking lots, vacant lots, and roads throughout the project area. The work scope and limits of the project area were defined in consultation with Stantec Consulting Services Inc., 61 Commercial Street, Rochester, NY 14614. Project Location The project area is located near the Genesee River in the central part of the City of Rochester (MCD 05540), Monroe County, New York. The project centers on the right-of-way for the Inner Loop and Union Street, from I- 490, just east of the Genesee River, to approximately 152 m (500 ft) north of East Main Street. The project includes approximately 457 m (1,500 ft) of right-of-way for the north-bound lane of I-490, approximately 366 m (1,200 ft) of right-of-way for Clinton Street, and includes a triangle-shaped parcel of land in between Clinton, I-490, and the Inner Loop. Figure 2 shows its location on the 1971 Rochester East, N.Y. 7.5 Minute USGS Quadrangle. Figure 3 depicts the project area on a recent aerial photo. 2 Figure 1. General Location of the Project Area in Western New York State. Figure 2. Location of the Project Area on the 1971 USGS Rochester East, N.Y. 7.5 Minute Series Quadrangle. The project area is outlined in yellow. 3 Figure 3. Recent aerial view of the Project Area, outlined in yellow. 4 Photo 1. View of the southwestern end of the Project Area, facing west. Clinton Avenue crosses the project area in the foreground and the Genesee River lies in the background. The 1950s construction of the Inner Loop resulted in the demolition of numerous buildings and the elimination or realignment of a number of streets in the project area. Several tall pre-1964 buildings lie in the viewshed in the right background. Photo 2. View of the Project Area, facing west. The Inner Loop descends below grade at major intersections like Monroe Avenue. Most of buildings in this view are less than 50 years old. 5 Photo 3. View of the Project Area from just east of Monroe Avenue, facing northeast. A number of pre-1964 buildings lie adjacent to and in the viewshed of the project area, especially along Union Street, in the background. Photo 4. View of the Project Area between Buena Place and Lafayette Park, facing north. Most of the buildings in the viewshed to the left are post-1963 while many of the buildings along Union Street to the right are pre-1964.