Article Title

Research Design for Mitigation of Archaeological Resources Archaeological Site 41PS109 Shafter Historic Mining District Presidio County, Texas

Authors

John W. Clark Jr.

Agency

TxDOT

DOI

https://doi.org/10.21112/ita.1985.1.31

Abstract

The Shafter Historic Mining District is located along the floor and flanks of the low canyon of Cibolo Creek adjacent to and crossed by US 67, approximately 20 miles north of Presidio County, Texas (Fig 1) From the US 67 bridge, the creek flows to the southeast to a vertical cut made by the creek in the mountain massif. From there it flows due west to another steep rock bank and turns south.

Southwest of the US 67 bridge are two adobe structures and a group of ruins associated with the National Guard camp established in 1916 to protect the area from border raids. The most heavily occupied structures are located east of US 67 in the loop formed by the creek flowing southeast and then west. Among these structures are some of obviously modem construction. South of the westward flowing portion of Cibolo Creek and east of the southward flowing portion are occupied stone and adobe structures and a substantial number of ruins including the smelter facilities. There are 45 historic structures in excellent condition, most occupied by Mexican-American families.

In all areas of the site, expecially the south end, there are ruins of the stone and adobe buildings. The ruins range from stone alignments around the former National Guard tents to ruined stone and adobe houses and even major abandoned structures such as the smelter and the hospital.

US Highway 67 from Marfa south to the town of Presidio was constructed to very low standards between 1930 and 1940. Because of increased tourist travel into the interior of Mexico following the completion of the highway between Ojinaga and Chihuahua City in 1973, there has been a substantial increase in traffic volume on US 67. Planning by the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation (SDHPT) for staged reconstruction of US 67 from Marfa to Presidio begin in the early 1970s. The purpose of the reconstruction is to allow US 67 to handle increased traffic and to provide a safer and more efficient highway.

Licensing Statement

This is a work produced for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) by the report producer. TxDOT and the report producer jointly own all rights, title, and interest in and to all intellectual property developed under TxDOT’s contract with the report producer. The report may be cited and brief passages from this publication may be reproduced without permission provided that credit is given to both TxDOT and the report producer. Permission to reprint an entire chapter, section, figures or tables must be obtained in advance from either the Supervisor of the Archeological Studies Branch, Environmental Affairs Division, Texas Department of Transportation, 125 East 11th Street, Austin, Texas, 78701 or from the report producer.