Archeological Abstract.0526.2004RC!V E D
Phase L9/IB Archeological Investigation, Wakita Hotel
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ABSTRACT TO'VM C^ _? ('UURY
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Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. (HAA, Inc.) was retained by The Environmental
Design Partnership, LLP and Dave Menter of Wakita Motel to conduct a Phase IA Literature
Review and Sensitivity Assessment and Phase IB Archeological Field Reconnaissance for the
proposed Wakita Hotel in the Town of Queensbury, Warren County, New York, at the request of
the Queensbury Town Planning Board and the NYSOPRHP. The Phase IA/IB was performed to
comply with the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (NYSEQRA).
The project involves the construction of a 85-unit, three-story hotel complex and
associated parking and infrastructure. The new complex will impact approximately 5 acres of
the 6-acre parcel. To accommodate the hotel approximately 18 small Adirondack style motor
cabins will be removed (Photos 8-16).
The Phase IA literature review included the examination of the archeological site files of
the New York State Museum (NYSM) and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation (OPRHP) for reported sites within one mile of the project area. The OPRHP
building -structure inventory and the State and National Registers were examined for properties
listed in or determined eligible for listing located within the immediate vicinity of the project
area. Seven historical maps were also examined.
Fourteen precontact sites are located within a one -mile radius of the project area. Due to
the high sensitivity for precontact sites, a Phase IB archeological field reconnaissance was
recommended and subsequently performed in areas where ground disturbing activity is to occur.
In all, 44 tests were excavated to subsoil where possible. No artifacts were recovered
during the fieldwork for Wakita Hotel. Based on the results of the Phase IB, no further
archeological work is recommended.
Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. May 2004
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Phase IA/IB Archeological Investigation, Wakita Hotel
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PHASE IA: REPORT FOR ARCHEOLOGICAL POTENTIAL
INTRODUCTION ............
PROJECT INFORMATION..........
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ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION
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1
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........................................................... Location
...................................................... Description
.......................................................................1
............................Topography and Drainage
........................... Soils and Bedrock Geology
......................... Vegetation and Forest Zone
DOCUMENTARYRESEARCH..................................................................................................2
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and
................................................................................................ New York State Museum (NYSM)
.......................................................................................................Previous Surveys
............................................................................................................................... Historical Maps
PRECONTACTOVERVIEW......................................................................................................7
............................................................................ The Paleo-Indian Period (c. 10,000-7000 B.C.)
............................................................................................The Archaic Period (7000-1000 B.C.)
...................................................................................... The Transitional Period (1000-500 B.C.)
.................................................................................The Woodland Period (500 B.C.-A.D. 1600)
HISTORICOVERVIEW............................................................................................................11
ARCHEOLOGICAL SENSITIVITY ASSESSMENT............................................................13
......................................................................................................................Precontact Sensitivity
.......................................................................................................................... Historic Sensitivity
RECOMMENDATIONS............................................................................................................13
Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. May 2004
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Phase L41IB Archeological Investigation, Wakita Hotel
PHASE IB: ARCHEOLOGICAL FIELD RECONNAISSANCE
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................14
FIELDMETHODS......................................................................................................................14
FIELDRESULTS........................................................................................................................14
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS............................................................................14
BIBLIOGRAPHY........................................................................................................................15
MAPS
PHOTOGRAPHS
APPENDIX 1: Shovel Test Records
APPENDIX 2: Qualifications of the Principal Investigator
APPENDIX 3: OPRHP Project Review Cover Form
Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. May 2004
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Phase L41IB Archeological Investigation, Wakita Hotel
List of Maps
1. 1991 NYSDOT Glens Falls, New York 7.5' Series Topographic Quadrangle
2. 2004 HAA, Inc. Project Map with Photo Angles.
3. 1858 Chace Map of Warren County, New York
4. 1876 Beers Atlas of Warren County, New York
5. 1912 USGS Glens Falls, New York 15' Topographic Quadrangle
6. 1955 USGS Glens Falls, New York 15' Topographic Quadrangle
7. 1966 USGS Glens Falls, New York 7.5' Topographic Quadrangle
8. 1980 NYSDOT Glens Falls, New York 7.5' Topographic Quadrangle
List of Photographs
1. Overview of northeastern project area, view southwest. Note the undulating topography.
2. View northeast with the excavation of STP 25 underway.
3. View south toward a relatively level area where STPs 43 and 44 were excavated.
4. View east along the top of the ridge near the southern limits of the Project Area. The
excavation of STP 29 is underway.
5. View south toward an area not tested due to slope. Round Pond Road can be seen in the
background.
6. View north toward the project area. The motel in the left of the photo will remain as part of
the current project plans.
7. View northeast toward the pool located on the motel property. The amusement park can be
seen in the background.
8. View north toward many of the cabins in the project area. These cabins are slated to be
removed as part of the current project plans.
9. View north toward cabins 1-4.
10. View north toward cabins 5-6 and a trash receptacle.
11. View north toward cabins 7-8.
12. View southeast toward cabins 9-10.
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Phase IA/IB Archeological Investigation, Wakita Hotel
13. View south toward cabins 11-12 and an area not tested.
14. View east toward cabin 16, one of the newer cabins on the property.
15. View northeast toward one of the newer cabins on the property, cabin 17.
16. View north toward the final cabin on the property, cabin 18. The property boundary and
amusement park can be seen in the background.
List of Tables
1. Archeological Sites and Their Proximity to the Project Area.
Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. may 2004