Abstract
Under TAC Permit 4347 Hicks & Company undertook archival research and National Register eligibility archeological testing of a historic limestone well (Site 41WM1157) in the US 79 right-of-way in Williamson County, Texas under Texas Antiquities Permit Number 4347. The project was sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), for regulatory and management purposes under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and the Antiquities Code of Texas (13 TAC 26). Archival research was conducted in order to establish the history of ownership and land use for the property. Research revealed that the well was likely built during the 1870s by Carl Engstrand, a Swedish immigrant closely affiliated with the Palm Valley community. Testing involved mechanical excavation around the well to a depth of 2.74 meters (9 ft.) below ground surface in order to expose it and document its construction technique. Then the well was truncated and archeologists excavated the fill by hand to a depth of 3.84 meters (12.5 ft) below ground surface, screening and saving all artifacts. The remaining two meters (6 ft), unreachable by hand investigations due to the constricting interior of the well, were excavated mechanically. The artifacts from the well represent unstratified mid-twentieth century farm household debris. Neither the well nor the artifacts within the well are considered eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or for listing as a State Archeological Landmark (SAL). A representative sample of the diagnostic artifacts and all project related records and photographs will be curated at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory (TARL).
Highlights
Introduction and Management SummaryIn December 2006, Hicks & Company undertook National Register eligibility testing and archival re search at the site of a limestone well (41WM1157) located in the US 79 right-of-way in Palm Valley, Williamson County, Texas
Investigators placed a small amount of fill dirt from the surface in the well to protect the artifacts inside from damage during the mechanical excavation
A fiber optic line less than 10 feet from the well; all other sides of the trench were sloped at a ratio of 1:1 or greater
Summary
In December 2006, Hicks & Company undertook National Register eligibility testing and archival re search at the site of a limestone well (41WM1157) located in the US 79 right-of-way in Palm Valley, Williamson County, Texas. Site 41WM1157, the Engstrand Well, was unexpectedly found by construction crews in December of 2006 on the north side of the TxDOT right-of-way during the widening of the road. The property is located in the Palm Valley area of Williamson County east of Round Rock, an area that was originally settled by Swedes in the mid to late nineteenth century. It is just east of the Palm Valley Lutheran Church historic district. It is currently under construction as part of the US 79 expansion project
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