()-/~'7 The Archeological Investigation of Four Lighthouse Complexes at the Western End of lake Superior: The 1988 Testing Program Withi~postle Islands National lakeshore National Park Service Midwest Archeological Center Ie PLEAS: I\ZTurm TO: TECHN1Cfil 1~!r-0:1MAT!O;l c::: :-:-:.::1 DENVC1 S:::;-:"":::: c;:::--;::1 ON M1CROF!Lf,l B&WScans r~i~TIO;~f~L f;~~:' ~Z~'J:C2 z .J'-t~ZO~5 -- --~~~------- ----~---- b - ----- ------------ THE ARCHEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF FOUR LIGHTHOUSE COMPLEXES AT THE WESTERN END OF LAKE SUPERIOR: THE 1988 TESTING PROGRAM WITHIN APOSTLE ISLANDS NATIONAL LAKESHORE By Vergil E. Noble Midwest Archeological Center Technical Report No.8 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Midwest Archeological Center Lincoln, Nebraska 1993 Ie ------ -- -- - -- --_.- - ----------------------------- --- ----- ABSTRACT During June and July of 1988, archeologists from the Midwest Archeological Center performed limited testing at four historic lighthouse complexes within Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. The lighthouses, which still protect shipping at the western end of Lake Superior, were scheduled for exterior restoration work. Specifically, immediate plans called for the installation of drainage systems about certain structures on Sand Island, Michigan Island, Outer Island, and Devils Island to mitigate continuing ground water damage to their foundations. Archeological investigations sought to assess the potential impacts to cultural resources in those areas of the light stations that would be disturbed by proposed developments. Shovel probes and controlled test excavations were used to examine the proposed drain alignments, as well as construction staging areas. No significant cultural resources were discovered during the five-week project that would warrant modification of the drainage systems or further archeological excavation prior to construction of these improvements. General recommendations concerning future research potential and cultural resources management at the four island complexes are offered. 1 ---- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS As in all archeological undertakings, numerous individuals contributed to the implementation and completion of this project. Among those at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Superintendent Jerry Banta deserves recognition for providing temporary crew housing on the islands and encouraging the full cooperation of his staff. Chief of Maintenance Jim Carlton, in particular, worked closely with the archeological team to coordinate inter-island travel arrangements, provide logistical support, and supply various other necessities. Historian Dave Snyder assisted the author in selecting appropriate historic photographs from the Lakeshore archives and provided useful comments on the draft of this report. We would also like to acknowledge with gratitude the very capable boat operators and radio dispatchers who made sure that we traveled to and from the islands safely. Special thanks are also owed to the various park volunteers who were duty-stationed at the lighthouses during our field work. Probably the week-long presence of four archeologists was an intrusion on the serenity of their islands that they did not expect at summer's beginning. If so, all of them tolerated us admirably, and we appreciate their generous hospitality. Special thanks are owed to Kenneth Pott, director of the Great Lakes Maritime Museum in Ludington, Michigan, and Patrick Labadie of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Canal Park Museum in Duluth, Minnesota. Both men kindly provided data pertaining to the incidence of shipping mishaps on the Great Lakes. National Park Service personnel responsible for general oversight of the project include Regional Archeologist Mark Lynott and Regional Historical Architect Mark Chavez. In addition, Archeologist Jeffrey Richner, who in the past has worked extensively in the Apostle Islands, offered advice and assistance during field and laboratory phases of the research. Much of the preliminary laboratory work performed on the archeological collections was accomplished by Forest Frost, Anastasia Steffen, and Paul Stormberg. Giselle Barrett compiled the artifact inventory tables. Carrol Moxham prepared the AutoCAD illustrations for the report, while Mary Johnson pasted up the figures. Judy Pace edited the draft manuscript before Marie Johnson and Nancy Sikora processed the text into its final production format. Most important, however, was the work of my stalwart field crew: Caven Clark, Holly Houghten, and Hawk Tolson. Despite the occasionally adverse field conditions, as well as their weekly bewilderment concerning when (or if) the boat might come to get us, they performed their tasks admirably and accomplished all that could be asked of them. Thanks to them the job was finished in a timely manner, and our management needs were met. ii ---I TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ......................................................... 1 0' Acknowledgments • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • .. • • • • • • • • •• 11 Table of Contents ••••••••• 0 ••••••••••••••••• 0 •••••••••••••••••••••• iii List of Tables ..................................................... v List of Figures . .. V1l Introduction . .. 1 Environment ...................................................... 5 Geology and Soils . .. 5 Climate and Ecology . .. 7 Regional Culture History . .. 11 Prehistoric Era . .. 11 Paleoindian ........................................ .. 11 Archaic .................................................... 12 Woodland .................................................. 13 Historic Era ................................................... 14 Early Historic ............................................... 15 Late Historic . .. 16 Light Stations of the Lakes ..................................... 18 Previous Archeological Research ...................................... 23 Current Research . .. 27 Field Strategy . .. 27 Methods .................................................... " 28 Sand Island ...................................................... 31 Test Unit 1 . .. 32 Test Unit 2 . .. 33 Test Unit 3 . .. 34 Test Unit 4 . .. 35 Test Unit 5 . .. 36 Test Unit 6 . .. 36 iii ------- l Test Unit 7 ................................................... 37 Test Unit 8 ................................................... 37 e Summary .................................................... 38 Michigan Island .................................................. 39 Old Lighthouse ................................................ 41 Test Unit 1 ................................................ 41 Test Unit 2 ................................................ 42 Test Unit 3 ................................................ 43 Test Unit 4 ................................................ 44 Test Unit 5 ................................................ 45 Test Unit 6 ................................................ 45 New Keeper's Quarters .......................................... 46 Test Unit 7 ................................................ 46 Test Unit 8 ................................................ 47 Test Unit 9 ................................................ 47 Test Unit 10 ............................................... 48 Test Unit 11 ............................................... 48 Test Unit 12 ............................................... 49 Summary .... " ....................................................................................... " ........ .. 49 Outer Island .......................................................................................................... 51 Test Unit 1 ................................................... 52 Test Unit 2 ................................................... 53 Test Unit 3 ................................................... 53 Test Unit 4 ................................................... 54 Test Unit 5 ................................................... 55 Test Unit 6 ................................................... 56 Test Unit 7 ................................................... 56 Summary .......................................................................................................... 57 Devils Island .......................... " ........ " ................................................ " ................ .. 59 West Keeper's Quarters ......................................... 60 Test Unit 1 ................................................ 60 Test Unit 2 ................................................ 61 Test Unit 3 ................................................ 61 Test Unit 4 ................................................ 62 East Keeper's Quarters .......................................... 63 Test Unit 5 ................................................ 63 Test Unit 6 ................................................ 64 IV Test Unit 7 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .... 64 Test Unit 8 ............................ II .................................................................. .. 65 Summary ..................................................... 66 Conclusion . .. 67 References Cited .................................................. 71 .1 LIST OF TABLES 1. Artifacts from Sand Island shovel probes . .. 77 2. Artifacts from Sand Island Test Unit 1 .. .......................................................... 77 3. Artifacts from Sand Island Test Unit 2 .. .........................................................