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Phase 1A Literature Review.05.26.2004L Phase IA/IB Archeological Investigation, Wakita Hotel MAY 2 TO(NJCJ C : L URY rT PHASE IA LITERATURE REVIEW AND SENSITIVITY ASSESSMENT INTRODUCTION 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). PROJECT INFORMATION Location and Description The project involves the construction of a 85-unit, three-story hotel complex and associated parking and infrastructure. The new complex will impact approximately five acres of the 6-acre parcel. To accommodate the hotel approximately 18 small Adirondack style motor cabins will be removed (Photos 8-16). *L"W]11113aulDQIM01►`l01I] 7isFIN01110 Topography The project area is located on a steep between many ponds and just south of a wetland. Water in the area eventually drains into the Champlain River. Soils and Bedrock Geology According to the United State Department of Agriculture, only one soil type is found within the proposed project area. This soil, a deep and well -drained Hinckley cobbly sandy loam with a 0-8 percent slope, is found in valleys and on nearly flat plains (USDA 1989). The underlying bedrock is so deeply buried that its age cannot be determined (Fisher and Isachsen 1970). Vegetation and Forest Zone Environmental information concerning a project area is helpful in trying to determine the archeological sensitivity of a project area. Plant species, whether indigenous to the area or introduced by colonization, were sometimes valuable resources for local inhabitants. Several forest types have been proposed to have likely existed in New York before land modifications, deforestation, and the introduction of foreign species (Kuchler 1964). The forest type within the project area is therefore described through the concept of "potential natural vegetation," which infers its past forest environment, not necessarily that which is current. The proposed hotel complex is located in the Northern Hardwood zone of natural vegetation (Kiichler 1964). The Northern Hardwood zone is found in eastern and central New York, north central Pennsylvania, and extends westward to Michigan and Wisconsin. Smaller areas are found in the southern Appalachian mountains. This forest type is characterized by tall, broad-leaved deciduous trees with an admixture of needle -leaf evergreens. 1118161031 WN tFAITWA,7 BI.9 Bl\ tio" I Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and New York State Museum (NYSM) Archeological Sites A review of the files at OPRHP and NYSM revealed 14 reported archeological sites within a one -mile (1.6 km) radius of the project area. A brief summary of these sites including their site numbers, identifiers, descriptions, and distances from the project area are presented below in Table 1. Site Number Other Description Proximity to Project Area Identifier NYSM 5063 Early village. Approximately .5 mile (.8 km) northeast of project area. NYSM 5067/ Early village. Approximately .5 mile (.8 Al 13.08.0015 km) north of project area. NYSM 5068 Early Woodland camp. Approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) northeast of project area. Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. May 2004 • L Site Number Other Description Proximity to Project Area n Identifier NYSM 9374 - Precontact site Approximately .5 mile (.8 km) north of project area. NYSM 10128 Rush Pond Precontact camp. Approximately .75 mile (1.2 km) northwest of project area. Al13.08.0006 Animal Land Adjacent to project area on Site west. Al 13.08.0037 Alb 240 Approximately .5 mile (.8 km) east of project area. A113.08.0040 Alb 243 Precontact site. Approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) south of project area. Al13.08.0041 Alb 244 Early village. Approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) west of project area. A113.08.0043 Alb 248 Precontact camp. Approximately .5 mile (.8 km) northeast of project area. Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. May 2004 Site Number Other Description Proximity to Project Area Identifier A113.08.0090 Fox Farm Site Woodland camp. Approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) southwest of project area. A113.08.00110 Kenny Terrace Late Archaic camp. Approximately .5 mile (.8 km) northwest of project area. A113.08.00111 Holtz Terrace Late Archaic camp. Approximately .5 mile (.8 km) northwest of project area. A113.08.000I Trailside Site Woodland site. Approximately .25 mile (A km) west of project area. Previous Surveys Over the past two decades, a total of five archeological surveys have been conducted within a one -mile (1.6 km) radius of the project area. A review of those surveys, their findings, and recommendations is presented below. In April of 1998, HAA, Inc. was retained by Adirondack Community College to conduct a Phase IA Literature Review and Phase IB Archeological Field Reconnaissance for a proposed new sewer force main and pump station connection. The Phase IA portion of the study determined that the project area had potential for precontact cultural material but a low sensitivity for early historic material. The Phase IB portion of the study comprised of 34 shovel test pits (STPs). No cultural material other than three fragments of wall plaster was recovered Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. May 2004 • 0 from the STPs. Since no precontact material or concentration of historic material was found, no further archeological testing was recommended. In May of 1999, HAA, Inc. was retained by C & S Engineers to conduct a Phase IA Literature Review and Sensitivity Assessment, and Phase IB Archeological Field Reconnaissance for the second segment of the proposed fiber-optic line that would run along the east side of the Adirondack Northway (I-87) from Exit 19 to the Canadian border. The Phase IA portion of the study identified 26 archeologically sensitive locations along the Glens Falls to Canada segment of the fiber-optic line corridor. During the Phase 1B portion of the study, only one of the sensitive areas tested identified an early to mid-19a'-century deposit along the Little Ausable River in the Town of Peru, Clinton County. The remaining 25 sensitive areas revealed no significant precontact or historic cultural resources, and thus no further archeological investigation was recommended. In May of 1999, HAA, Inc. was retained by C & S Engineers to conduct a Phase IA Literature Review and Sensitivity Assessment, and Phase IB Archeological Field Reconnaissance for four regeneration sites (Sites 1-4) located along the proposed Albany to Canada fiber optic -line. In all, 16 STPs were excavated in Sites 1-4 with no precontact or historic cultural material being recovered. Due to the absence of significant deposits, no further archeological investigation was recommended for the four regeneration areas. In the fall of 1999, HAA, Inc. was retained by the LA Group to conduct a Phase IA Literature Review and Sensitivity Assessment, and Phase IA Archeological Field Reconnaissance for the proposed Great Escape Expansion project between NY 9 and Interstate 87 in the Town of Queensbury. The Phase IA portion of the study revealed 14 known archeological sites within a one -mile (1.6-km) radius of the project area. The Phase IB portion of the study was comprised of 84 STPs excavated within the project area. The STPs revealed two concentrations or loci of precontact material, one located on the high terrace in the Kenny parcel and the other on the lower terrace in the Holtz parcel. A Phase II Archeological Site Evaluation was recommended for the two sites. In December of 1999, HAA, Inc. was retained by the LA Group and the Great Escape to conduct a Phase II Archeological Site Evaluation of the Kenny Terrace and Holtz Terrace precontact sites for the proposed Great Escape Expansion project, between NY 9 and the Interstate 87 in the Town of Queensbury. On the Kenny Terrace site 32 STPs and four 1-by-2 meter units were excavated yielding a Late Archaic Brewerton projectile point, lithic debitage, and fire -cracked rock. The Kenny Terrace site was interpreted as a Late Archaic hunting camp in which sporadic and highly intermittent occupation took place. On the Holtz Terrace site five STPs, four 1-by-2 meter units, and one 1-by-I meter unit were excavated yielding a Vosburg projectile point, a Lamoka projectile point, a large amount of lithic debitage, and fire -cracked rock. The Holtz Terrace site was interpreted as a Late Archaic (primarily Laurentian Tradition) temporary encampment. Because of the types and numbers of artifacts recovered from the Holtz Terrace site, is was recommended for the National Register. If the site could not be avoided, Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. May 2004 0 further archeological investigation of the Holtz Terrace site was recommended (HAA, Inc. 2000). In June 2000, HAA, Inc. was retained by The LA Group to conduct additional Phase II work for the Great Escape Expansion project. The additional testing and inventory of buildings was requested by OPRHP after reviewing the Phase II report. The additional fieldwork consisted of six additional square meters and ten STPs excavated on both the Kenny Terrace and Holtz Terrace precontact sites. As a result of the testing, the Kenny Terrace had a low to moderate density lithic scatter thus not considerable for National Register eligibility, and no further investigation was recommended. The results of testing on the Holtz Terrace site suggested that the site extends further north then its previously established boundaries and that it is National Register eligible. The complied building inventory included 36 structures located within the project area, 23 of which are considered to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. In the winter and spring of 2002, Greenhouse Consultants Incorporated was retained by Green Mountain Development Group, Inc. to conduct a Phase 1 Archaeological and Historical Sensitivity Evaluation and Survey for the Cedars Senior Living project in the Town of Queensbury. The results of the Phase 1 B portion of the study were two stray historic artifacts and no precontact artifacts. No significant cultural deposits were detected during testing, and no further archeological investigation was recommended. In the Fall of 2002, Edward V. Curtin, Consulting Archaeologist, was retained by the Town of Queensbury Sewer Department to complete a Phase IA/IB Archaeological Survey of the proposed Route 9 Sewer District project. During the Phase IB portion of the study, a total of 355 STPs were laid out on 13 linear transects, 269 of which were excavated. In STP 13/3, a concrete feature was encountered with associated middle to late 190-to early 20ei-century material. A Phase II study was recommended in order to better understand the concrete feature. No additional archeological investigation was recommended for the other sections of the proposed sewer line. Following the Phase IA/IB study, Edward V. Curtin, Consulting Archaeologist, was again retained by the Town of Queensbury Sewer Department in 2002 to complete a Phase 2 Archeological Survey of a concrete or stone feature found in STP 13/3. The feature was revealed to have belonged to the Brown's Halfway House, which was destroyed by fire c. 1946. No further archeological investigation in the form of Phase III data recovery was recommended. Historical Maps To assess the potential for historical archeological deposits within and near the project area, historic maps are analyzed to locate potential structures and other features that may have once been located in the area. Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. May 2004 Seven historical maps were examined to provide information on the historical development and settlement patterns in and around the project area. These include 19a'-century landowner maps and late 19 -and 20`s-century topographic maps. The maps are discussed in chronological order. Although not reproduced here, early military maps of the area suggest that NY 9 was established by the mid 18th century as a military road connecting Lake George with points south, including Fort Edward. The earliest map examined for this report is the 1858 Chace Map of Warren County, New York (Map 3). While no structures are indicated in the project area, the surrounding area is moderately settled. Roads are rendered in the approximate location of NY 149, Round Pond Road, and NY 9. A stream extends east -west across NY 9 just north of the project area where it connects to ponds on both sides of the road. A structure associated with J. Osgood is indicated on the east side of NY 9 just north of this stream. The 1876 Beers County Atlas of Warren, New York is the next map examined (Map 4). This map is similar to Map 3 but is more detailed. While no structures are indicated within the vicinity of the project area, the area surrounding it continues to grow. The structure associated with J. Osgood on the previous map is now associated with the Albany Peat Company. One structure is indicated adjacent to the project area on the east and is associated with B.C. Schermerhorn. Another structure is located on the southern side of Round Pond Road and is associated with J.J. Miller. The road in the vicinity of modern day NY 9 is now rendered as a Plank Road. Map 5 is the 1912 15' USGS Glens Falls Topographic Quadrangle. This map does not provide the detail of the earlier maps. While there are still many ponds in the vicinity, the area west and north of the project area are indicated as wetlands. No structures are rendered in the project area. The greatest change is the addition of a railroad extending northwest -southeast approximately I mile east of the parcel. The 1955 15' USGS Glens Falls Topographic Quadrangle is the next map examined for this report (Map 6). The project area and surrounding land have undergone great change in the 43 years since the last map was produced. The City of Glens Falls located south of the project area is very heavily developed. The railroad noted on the previous map is rendered as the Delaware and Hudson Railroad. A number of structures are indicated adjacent to the project area and four are within the project area itself. It is believed this is the earliest incarnation of the Wakita Motel. Map 7 is the 1966 7.5' USGS Glens Falls Topographic Quadrangle. The land surrounding the project area continues to grow. The greatest change is the addition of Interstate 87 (I-87), extending north -south in the general alignment of NY 9. The Delaware and Hudson Railroad continues to follow this same approximate alignment. Two structures are rendered Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. May 2004 within the project area. These appear to be the hotel and associated office that are currently on the property. An amusement park is indicated adjacent to the project area on the north where Great Escape currently stands. The next map examined is the 1980 7.5' NYSDOT Glens Falls Topographic Quadrangle (Map 8). There are no significant changes rendered since the previous map was produced. The surrounding area continues to grow. The Delaware and Hudson Railroad is no longer rendered. Two structures remained indicated within the project area. The most recent map examined for this report is the 1991 7.5' NYSDOT Glens Falls Topographic Quadrangle (Map 1). This map is similar to the previous map examined and depicts the project area close to how it appears today. In total, two structures are indicated within the project area. These appear to be the motel and its associated office. In summary, based on the seven maps reviewed, there is no evidence of development within the parcel prior to 1955, about the time the Wakita Motel was constructed. Based on current topographic contours and the many ponds and wetlands surrounding the property, it is likely this parcel was not developed earlier because of its steep slope. PRECONTACT OVERVIEW The Paleo-Indian Period (c. 10,000-7000 B.C.) In this region of New York, the earliest known cultural period was the Paleo-Indian period. Other than dating roughly between 10,000 and 7000 B.C. and corresponding with the end of the Wisconsin glaciation, little is known about this early period in New York. A climatic reversal known as the Younger Dryas occurred sometime during the I Id' millennium in which extreme cold stopped the glaciers from retreating. Afterwards the climate again began to warm and the glaciers continued their retreat leaving behind pro -glacial lakes. The flora and faunal that had thrived during the Pleistocene period now were becoming extinct and replaced by more modern species, which moved into the newly created environmental niches (McWeeney 1994). Around 9000 B.C., the region began to assume a tundra -like appearance with a trees, shrub brush, and small weedy plants. The fauna of the Paleo-Indian period, such as mammoth, mastodon, caribou, giant beaver, sloth, elk, moose, deer, and peccary thrived on the grasslands that emerged on the edges of the retreating glaciers (Snow 1980). However, no evidence of megafaunal has been found in direct association with Paleo-Indian sites in the Northeast. Following the Younger Dryas, the landscape became peppered with open lakes, swamps, bogs, and marshlands. This newly emerging environment would provide the resources necessary for the modem Holocene species of plants and animals to thrive and signaled the extinction of the Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. May 2004 megafauna. For the Paleo-Indian hunting and gathering forays, the wetland setting would provide both new and diverse resources. The Paleo-Indian people organized themselves into small bands. Site types include base camps, quarry workshops, rockshelter habitations, open air hunting camps, kill and butchering sites, and other temporary camps (Funk 1972, Moeller 1980, Gramely 1982). In the northeast sites typically consist only of sporadic surface or spot -finds of fluted projectile points (Ritchie and Funk 1973:333). Currently the only regional Paleo-Indian sites known are two spot -find sites where fluted points had been recovered. Both sites are located approximately 20 miles to the southwest along the Hudson River in Saratoga County. In the Hudson Valley, the more well known and extensive sites included the West Athens Hill site, Railroad site (Ritchie and Funk 1973:29-36;Funk 1976:205-206, 211; Ritchie 1994:3, 6), the Kings Road site in Greene County, and the Dutchess Quarry Cave site in Orange County (Funk 1976; Ritchie 1994). The Archaic Period (7000-1000 B.C.) Early Archaic The beginning of the Archaic period would be marked by a warmer and dryer climate that would cause the wetlands to shrink. This climatic change has been both suggested and indicated by pollen data collected in upstate New York (Rippeteau 1977). Though the wetlands would diminish, those remaining would continue to support a variety of faunal and floral life. By this time, the Hudson River roughly occupied its contemporary course. This river would have been not only an attractive spot for the new fauna and flora but also for small bands of Early Archaic people. Early Archaic people traveled in small but highly mobile groups or family units both hunting fauna and gathering flora (Ritchie and Funk 1973:37). This movement and activity would leave little impact on the environment and thus little to detect. This has in turn made Early Archaic sites in New York a rarity when compared with the abundance of sites found in the Southwestern and Midwestern United States (Ritchie and Funk 1973; Funk 1993). As found with most Paleo-Indian sites in the Northeast, the known Early Archaic sites are typically comprised of spot finds. The Early Archaic period types of projectile points include Dalton, Hardaway, Palmer, and untyped, bifurcated points. All of these are rare in New York and especially rare along the upper Hudson River valley. Middle Archaic Just as little is known about the Middle Archaic period (5000-3000 B.C.). The small amount of archeological material has only provided a generalized view of the lifeways of the Middle Archaic people. The projectile point types and variants that are used typically to distinguish this period are Neville and Stark. In upstate New York, Kirk, Charleston, Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. May 2004 MacCorkle, Kanawha, LeCroy, St. Albans, Stanley, and Morrow Mountain projectile points have also been found and used as Middle Archaic identifiers (Funk 1993:180). Sites continue to be typically comprised of spot -finds, are are mostly made up of small camps. The environment of upstate New York during the Middle Archaic period was much wetter than that of the Early Archaic period. This climatic change leads to a dramatic increase in the number of deciduous trees, especially oak trees (Rippeteau 1977). However, the climate was still much dryer than the modern day. It can be derived from the dryness of the climate that sites from both the Early and Middle Archaic are most likely to be located near and around permanent water sources such as streams, lakes, and rivers. Late Archaic In comparison with the number of early period sites, the Late Archaic period (3000-1000 B.C.) has a higher number of archeological sites. At around 4,000 B.C. the data clearly shows the advent of a general deciduous forest, with its characteristic, relatively numerous, large and small mammals, its birds such as pheasant and turkey, and its mast foods. Coincident with this is the beginning of an apparently substantial human occupation. After 4,000 B.C. We have strong representation of Late Archaic hunting, fishing, and gathering adaptions... (Rippeteau 1977:395) Rippeteau's statement above shows the increase in the number of archeological sites as a reflection of the increased carrying capacity of the Late Archaic population and its environment. Late Archaic sites have been identified in low-lying areas in close proximity to the Hudson River and other major waterways, creeks, and streams. In addition to the increase in the number of archeological sites, there is also an increase in the number of site types. The variety of types now include large base camps, small hunting camps, multitask areas, single task extraction areas, spot -finds, quarry shops, and rockshelters (Ritchie and Funk 1973:338). The emergence of large base camps is likely the result of smaller hunting bands coming together over short periods of time for the purpose of exploiting mast resources with ease. These camps become more common during the Late Archaic and have been found in more varied types of environmental settings. Archeological sites in the immediate vicinity have yielded Archaic components included the Weinmand Site located on the southeastern shore of Lake George, and the Holtz Terrace and Kenny Terrace Precontact Sites just east of the Great Escape Amusement Park in Lake George. The Transitional Period (1000-500 B.C.) There is a span of 500 years between the Archaic period and the Woodland period, which has been referred to as the Transitional period or Terminal Archaic period. The environment during this short period undergoes slow changes as the climate begins to warm and dry, and the Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. May 2004 forests begin to be dominated by both hickory and oak trees (Rippeteau 1977). The number of sites and site types attributed to this period is very similar to those of the Late Archaic. Additionally, sites continue to be found frequently along the coast and the major waterways, such as the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers (Funk 1976, Ritchie 1994, Vargo and Vargo 1983). It has also been believed that the population densities during this period were also increasing. A new and dramatically different broad -bladed projectile points, such as the Susquehanna Broad Points, were introduced during this period. As the period came to a close, steatite or soapstone vessels began to appear. Evidence of the Transitional period is typically rare in the upper Hudson drainage. The Woodland Period (500 B.C.-A.D. 1600) The Woodland period is distinctly marked by the emergence of horticulture which augmented the existing hunting and gathering subsistence. Beginning only on a small scale, as time continued, Northeast Woodland groups soon realized the potential of agriculture on a larger scale. Early Woodland The climate of the Early Woodland period (500 B.C.- A.D. 1) was much moister and warmer then the climate during the Transitional period. The sites are typically identified by the presence of Meadowood and other Adena-like projectile points. Sites where Meadowood projectile points are found are typically located in both western and central New York with some occasional ceramics. In the eastern and southern portions of the state, these Meadowood sites are found less frequently. The Middlesex tradition appears during the Early Woodland period in both eastern and central New York. This tradition's unique archeological assemblage consisted of grave goods, such as copper, mica, red ochre, marine shell, and exotic cherts undoubtably obtained through a wide ranging trade network. Due to the exotic nature of the Middlesex grave goods, the tradition has been often linked to the Adena culture of the Ohio Valley. In addition to the grave goods, ceramic vessels have also become a unique part of the Middlesex tradition's artifact assemblage. The ceramic diagnostic type for this period is the Vinette and its associated variants. Whether or not the vessels were used in cooking remains unclear; however, it is likely that the small -to -medium-sized vessels were utilized for the storage of food and other items. More importantly is what the use of ceramics signifies for the Early Woodland peoples. The introduction of the ceramics vessels points to a greatly increasing sedentary lifestyle as well as a need for food storage resulting from the horticultural activities. In eastern New York, most of the Early Woodland sites have been located along the Hudson River and its major tributaries (Ritchie and Funk 1973, Funk 1976). Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. May 2004 L] C, i Middle Woodland In the beginning of the Middle Woodland period (A.D. 1-1000), there was clear evidence for an increase in the use of ceramics as well as technological advances. Evidence of the early stages of agriculture can also be seen during this time. With evidence of a more sedentary lifestyle, the settlements of the Middle Woodland began to increase in size. In the later half of the period, the Hunter's Home phase appeared with more elaborately decorated ceramics, a large increase in the use of smoking pipes with a straight or slightly bent obtuse -angle elbow form, and the Levanna projectile point, a broad triangular point (Ritchie 1994:254). The exotic goods trade that emerged during the Early Woodland with the Hopewell and Adena cultures has now appeared to have ended. Late Woodland The Late Woodland period (A.D. 1000-1600) is defined by substantial change in both settlement and subsistence. In the Mohawk River valley large fortified villages emerge with an expansive increase in both agriculture and population. The two recognized cultures during the Late Woodland period are the Owasco (A.D. 1000-1400) and Iroquois (A.D. 1400-Contact), each characterized by their own specific ceramic styles (Ritchie and Funk 1973:165). Late Woodland sites have been recorded around Lake George, in the upper Hudson River valley, and near Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain (Ritchie 1994:71). The introduction of European trade goods, first by Samuel de Champlain during the 171h century, marks the beginning of the proto-historic period and the end of the Late Woodland period in the area. By the time Champlain had reached Lake George, the project area was Native American hunting grounds that also formed a frontier between the Algonkian to the north and east and the Mohawk to the south and west (Smith 1885:32-33). During the late 18`h century, there were several known Native American settlements in the area. These settlements where located at Harrisena, Dunham's Bay located at the southern end of Lake George, the outlets of Long Pond and Big Boom, and the foot of Palmerton Mountain on the south side of the Hudson River. HISTORIC OVERVIEW Warren County is located to the south and west of Lake George. In 1813, the county was formed from Washington County and was named to honor a Revolutionary army general named Joseph Warren (Spafford 1824, Smith 1885). The area of Queensbury is located in the southeastern portion of the county where it was first settled sometime between 1759 and 1762 by Jeffrey Cowper. Cowper was given permission by General Jeffrey Amherst to occupy the earlier abandoned military post along the Military Road from Albany to Crown Point. At the close of Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. May 2004 the French and Indian War, Lt. Gov. James DeLancy of the Province of New York encouraged settlers to come to the area between Albany and Montreal and establish townships. In 1762, King George III granted the Queensbury Patent to Abraham Wing and a group of 31 Quakers living at Oblong in Dutchess County. During the summer of 1763, Abraham Wing, Ichabod Merritt, and 23 other settlers relocated from Dutchess County to the 23,000-acre patent near the falls of the Hudson River (Smith 1885:123, 333-334). Within ten years, Wing had established both a sawmill and a gristmill, and dozens of homes had been constructed. However, during the Revolutionary War, life became increasingly hard on the Quakers. Due to their religious beliefs, they did not participate in the war but their position between two key forts involved them in the conflict (Glens Falls Historical Association 1978:11). During the war, the Quaker settlers were repeatedly robbed by Tories, suffered from military requisitions, and had their homes burned twice. A number of the families moved back to Dutchess County only to return to Queensbury a few years later as the war was winding down (Glens Falls Historical Association 1978:13). After the war, the area began to attract more settlers with the appeal of water power. Soon more mills began appearing on creeks and streams as well as taverns, stores, shops, schools, churches, and post offices. Farming was confined mostly to stock raising and dairying due to the steepness of the mountainous terrain. Logging began to become an increasingly important local economy with lumber, shingles, hoops, staves, and headings being manufactured in both Queensbury and Glens Falls (Spafford 1824:671). By 1824, another new industry emerged in limestone and marble quarrying. When the feeder canal was finished in 1832, both stone and lumber could be transported over greater distances with other locally manufactured goods. These new industries attracted new migrations of people to the area, the largest being French-Canadians in the 1840s (Glens Falls Historical Association 1978:14). In 1849, there was a second boost for the lumber industry when the Big Boom was constructed to contain felled logs until they could be sorted. The Big Boom was established after the Feeder Dam was constructed for the Glens Falls Feeder Canal on the big sweeping curve of the Hudson River, which provided an advantageous spot for a boom. When trees were felled, their logs were sent down river where they were collected, sorted, and distributed to various downstream mills. The Big Boom was in continual use by the Finch, Pruyn & Co. until the 1950s (Glens Falls Historical Association 1978:16). Travel and tourism became prominent in the Lake George and Queensbury area by the mid- 19`h century. Interestingly, throughout the 19a' and early 20`h century, the Adirondack region became a popular destination for the well-to-do who arrived by railroad and stayed at elaborate lodges, either their own or ones owned by local hostellers. The Caldwell Branch of the D & H Railroad brought travelers to the region beginning in 1882. This can be seen on Maps 5-7 of this report. The line would remained in operation until 1958. Shortly afterwards, in the 1960s, the Adirondack Northway was constructed thus permitting many to easily travel to the region via automobile. The travel and tourism grew as a result. Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. May 2004 As the Town of Queensbury continued to grow, one of the significant new developments to take place in the first half of the 20`s century was the construction of the Floyd Bennett Airfield in 1928. The airfield was named after the Queensbury pilot who flew Admiral Byrd to the North Pole. During World War II, more industries came to the town providing further growth. After the war, there was a significant increase in both commercial and housing developments due to the construction of Interstate 87 and Quaker Road. Today Queensbury thrives on a tourism economy mostly fueled by Lake George and its resorts. With the growth of Storytown into the ever expanding Great Escape has come even more commercial development that caters to the park's attendees. ARCHEOLOGICAL SENSITIVITY ASSESSMENT Precontact Sensitivity Due to the number of natural resources such as the Hudson River, Glen Lake, and Round Pond, the well -drained sandy soils, and the number of known precontact archeological sites within the general vicinity of the waterlines, the project area should be considered highly sensitive for precontact material. Historic Sensitivity The intersection of NY 9 (in the vicinity of an old Military Road) and Round Pond Road are rendered in their approximate location on the earliest map examined, however, the historic maps reviewed for this study have shown limited development in the vicinity of the project area, giving a moderate sensitivity rating for historic remains. RECOMMENDATIONS Based on the proximity of reported sites and the physiographic characteristics, portions of Queensbury are considered archeologically sensitive to both precontact and historic remains. The parcel for the Wakita Hotel is considered highly sensitive for precontact deposits. Shovel testing is recommended for the undisturbed, more level portions of the hilly parcel Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. May 2004 PHASE IB: ARCHEOLOGICAL FIELD RECONNAISSANCE Iva I :Z17111141111W The fieldwork portion of archeological study for the proposed Wakita Hotel occurred on May 6, 2004. The weather was seasonably warm with bright, clear skies. Approximately 75 percent was forested and the remaining 25 percent contained the existing motel, parking areas, mowed areas, and a swimming pool. The field crew consisted of Tim Bray, John Ham, Erin Klinge, Adam Luscier, and Angela Markessinis under the direction of Matthew Kirk. Karen S. Hartgen, RPA, was the Principal Investigator. FIELD METHODS The excavation of sixty-four shovel tests was proposed for the four -acre parcel. However, due to slope, 44 tests were excavated across the area. Shovel tests were 40 cm (15.75 in) in diameter and excavated according to stratigraphic levels. Each soil level was passed through a 0.25 inch (0.64 cm) hardware cloth to recover artifacts. Collected artifacts were bagged and assigned to their respective soil levels. All cultural material observed was collected except natural unworked chert, coal, slag, brick, charcoal, and modern debris that were noted, but not collected. Shovel tests were terminated once they were excavated 15 cm (5.91 in) into sterile subsoil. The soil stratigraphy was recorded including depth, texture, color (Munsell Color terminology), and artifact content. FIELD RESULTS Forty-four shovel tests were excavated to sterile soil at 50-foot intervals. The tests were excavated along two transects within the northern portion of the project area and one transect along the southern ridge of the parcel. The remaining tests were excavated where feasible, and generally followed the contours of the hill. The shovel tests were excavated to an average depth of 52 centimeters (25 in). The soils within the project area were comprised mainly of sand and Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. May 2004 sand with cobbles with a thin layer of humus over the topsoil. No features were identified and no artifacts were recovered (Appendix 1). SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS The Phase 113 field reconnaissance consisted of the excavation of 44 shovel tests within the parcel for the proposed Wakita Hotel. No cultural material or archeological features were identified at the parcel. Therefore, no further archeological testing is recommended for the Wakita Hotel. Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. May 2004 BIBLIOGRAPHY Beers, F.W. 1876 County Atlas of Warren, New York. Beers and Co., New York. Chase, J. Jr. 1858 Map of Warren County, New York. Balch and Shearer, Philadelphia. Edward V. 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