Phase 1A Literature Review.05.26.2004L
Phase IA/IB Archeological Investigation, Wakita Hotel
MAY 2
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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
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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,
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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.
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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
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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
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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,
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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).
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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
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