DRAFT REPORT PHASE I CULTURAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT SURVEY OF THE LOXAHATCHEE GROVES PROJECT, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA J 2019 PHASE I CULTURAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT SURVEY OF THE LOXAHATCHEE GROVES PROJECT, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA CONDUCTED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING & TECHNOLOGY, INC. 3701 NW 98TH STREET GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA 32606 SEARCH PROJECT NO. E18274 BY SEARCH DRAFT _________________________ LILLIAN AZEVEDO, PHD, RPA PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR WWW.SEARCHINC.COM JANUARY 2019 SEARCH January 2019 Phase I CRAS of the Loxahatchee Groves Project, Palm Beach County, Florida Draft Report TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ iii List of Figures .................................................................................................................................. iv List of Tables ................................................................................................................................... iv Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 1 Environmental Setting .................................................................................................................... 5 Paleoenvironment .................................................................................................................... 6 Cultural Context .............................................................................................................................. 8 Native American Culture History .............................................................................................. 8 History of Palm Beach and Martin Counties ........................................................................... 12 Background Research ................................................................................................................... 20 Previously Recorded Cultural Resources ................................................................................ 22 Historic Map and Aerial Photograph Review .......................................................................... 23 Cultural Resource Probability ................................................................................................. 25 Methods ........................................................................................................................................ 28 Archaeological Survey ............................................................................................................. 28 Laboratory Methods and Curation ......................................................................................... 28 Certified Local Government Consultation and Informant Interviews .................................... 28 Unanticipated Discoveries ...................................................................................................... 28 Results ........................................................................................................................................... 30 Archaeological Survey Results ................................................................................................ 30 Architectural Survey Results ................................................................................................... 30 Conclusion and Recommendation ................................................................................................ 34 References Cited ........................................................................................................................... 35 Appendix A: Correspondence Appendix B: Unanticipated Discoveries Plan Appendix C: FDHR Survey Log Sheet iii Introduction January 2019 SEARCH Draft Report Phase I CRAS of the Loxahatchee Groves Project, Palm Beach County, Florida LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Loxahatchee Groves Project area location map, Palm Beach County, Florida ............. 2 Figure 2. Topographic overview of the Loxahatchee Groves Project area, Palm Beach County, Florida .............................................................................................................. 3 Figure 3. Aerial photograph showing the Loxahatchee Groves Project area .............................. 4 Figure 4. Overview of the Project area showing the typical physical conditions, including open pasture and palmetto and intermittent pine ...................................................... 5 Figure 5. Soil drainage within the Project area ............................................................................ 7 Figure 6. Cultural resource surveys and cultural resources within one mile of the Project area ............................................................................................................................. 21 Figure 7. 1845 GLO map showing the Project area ................................................................... 24 Figure 8. 1953 USDA aerial photograph showing the Project area ........................................... 26 Figure 9. 1971 USGS topographic map showing the Project area ............................................. 27 Figure 10. Archaeological survey results ..................................................................................... 31 Figure 11. Typical soil profile encountered within the Project area at N1800, E700, showing three strata ................................................................................................................. 32 Figure 12. Modern refuse within the Project area ...................................................................... 32 Figure 13. Photograph facing south from N1800, E700, showing dry ditch ................................ 33 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Typical Pedon for Riviera Series Soils ........................................................................... 6 Table 2. Previous Surveys within One Mile of the APE ............................................................ 20 Table 3. Previously Recorded Archaeological Sites within One Mile of the APE ..................... 22 Table 4. Previously Recorded Historic Structures and Linear Resources within One Mile of the APE .................................................................................................................... 22 Introduction iv SEARCH January 2019 Phase I CRAS of the Loxahatchee Groves Project, Palm Beach County, Florida Draft Report INTRODUCTION In December 2018, SEARCH completed a Phase I cultural resource assessment survey (CRAS) in support of the Loxahatchee Groves Project (Project) in the Town of Loxahatchee Groves, Palm Beach County, Florida, on behalf of Environmental Consulting & Technology, Inc. (ECT). The work was conducted in anticipation of permit requirements for the construction of three commercial properties within the Project area, which consists of a 15.9‐acre parcel in Section 31, Township 43 South, Range 41 East. Within the Project area, 6.76 acres will be developed: a 1.79‐acre parcel for a proposed Wawa gas station and convenience store, a 1.03‐acre parcel for a proposed Chase Bank, a 2.12‐acre parcel for a proposed Aldi grocery store, and a 1.73‐acre parcel for access roads and dry retention. The runoff will be retained within the Project area. The Area of Potential Effect (APE) for the proposed Project is defined as the entirety of the 15.9‐acre Project area. This CRAS meets the provisions of Chapter 267, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 1A‐46, Florida Administrative Code. The Principal Investigator meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation (48 FR 44716‐42) and is listed on the Register of Professional Archaeologists (RPA). The Project area is located within the Town of Loxahatchee Groves, approximately 15 miles west of West Palm Beach. Figure 1 shows the general location of the Project area, while Figure 2 shows the location on a recent topographic map. The Project area is bound to the south by Southern Boulevard and to the west by B Road, as shown in Figure 3, which depicts the Project area on an aerial photograph. The purpose of the survey was to identify cultural resources within the Project area and to assess their eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). A total of 25 shovel tests were excavated at 50‐meter intervals across the Project area. No cultural resources were encountered during the survey. It is SEARCH’s opinion that the proposed Project will have no effect on cultural resources listed or eligible for listing in the NRHP. No further cultural resource work is recommended. 1 Introduction January 2019 SEARCH Draft Report Phase I CRAS of the Loxahatchee Groves Project, Palm Beach County, Florida Figure 1. Loxahatchee Groves Project area location map, Palm Beach County, Florida. Introduction 2 SEARCH January 2019 Phase I CRAS of the Loxahatchee Groves Project, Palm Beach County, Florida Draft Report Figure 2. Topographic overview of the Loxahatchee Groves Project area, Palm Beach County, Florida. 3 Introduction January 2019 SEARCH Draft Report Phase I CRAS of the Loxahatchee Groves Project, Palm Beach County, Florida Figure 3. Aerial photograph showing the Loxahatchee Groves Project area. Introduction 4 SEARCH January 2019 Phase I CRAS of the Loxahatchee Groves Project, Palm Beach County, Florida Draft Report ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING The Project area is situated within the Eastern Flatwoods physiographic